Jaemin Kim is a graphic design student with a clear skill for painting and drawing. Her lines seems light and effortless, her subjects alight with life. With an eye for motion, lighting, and tension, she wields her pencil and brush with a formidable grace. Though her work is currently mainly focused now on computer based images, she hopes to one day combine her skills in to one mode of work. Jaemin Kim: I don't have everything up, not alot of graphic design stuff, mostly drawings and paintings.
Aliza Enker: Hmmm, but you're a graphic design major...
Jaemin: Yea exactly it's unusual, I don't know why I have more drawings up.
Aliza: Honestly I actually like your paintings and drawings better, they're so delicate, but have such a sense of feeling behind them. What made you choose graphic design instead? The ability to have a job?
- I take it that given your druthers, you have a preference for the human being/ form?
- I like your water graphic design piece though. But I love the detail work on your doodle/ tattoo-like piece. And I think from the comments you can tell that (deservedly) everyone adores the one of the young boy.
Jaemin: Pretty much, haha. I mean, I'd say I'm more comfortable with drawing/ painting than graphic design, but I also have a good eye for design.
Aliza: You can tell... There's a sense of ease in the paintings/ drawings that isn't there in the few graphic design items you have here.
Jaemin: I do actually. I love drawing people, I far prefer humans over still life.
Aliza: Same here, they're far more interested and nuanced.
Jaemin: Hahaha that one…that took the least time.
- I was like, meh, I'm not in love with it, but apparently a lot of people are.
- I'm more likely to love the ones I take a lot of time on.
Aliza: Gotcha. would you rather be doing your thesis project in painting/drawing?
Jaemin: I really would, honestly. But… At the same time since I took the path to the design world... I'm not
saying that I don't want to do design. Im trying to focus on it and be more open while connecting it to political/social sciences
Aliza: Is there a way for you to maybe combine the two methods?
Jaemin: I am actually thinking of doing that, combining the two, I'm sure there's a way, just gotta think of something
Aliza: Are social/political sciences where you wanna wind up doing majority of your graphic design work?
Jaemin: Eh, not really I'm not sure, or can't really say. I'm interested in human affairs though.
Aliza: So is the poly sci and social science just passing topic interests for the time being?
Jaemin: Yes! That's more accurate I think.
Aliza: Haha okay, but, pretty please whatever you wind up interested in, don't stop painting and drawing, you're way too talented to do that.
Jaemin: Of course.. I will most likely do something with it in the near future, on the side or find said way to combine design and drawing. I'm actually working on tattoo designs. Well, trying to.
Aliza: Do you have any samples of those?
Jaemin: They're sketching exercises so far
Aliza: Kind of like the doodle page you have posted (see above photo)?
Jaemin: Yep, they actually asked me to design something after seeing that all of a sudden, boom I'm a potential tattoo designer. I was flattered. Kind of felt not qualified, but I'm doing it anyway
Aliza: I understand both sides of that, I think with more practice you'd probably have more confidence. I can definitely see why they asked you after seeing those designs, they definitely have a very "tattoo" feel to them. I could see them making a great sleeve. If there was any sort of living to be made by doing it would you be a tattoo artist?
Jaemin: Regarding the tattoo thing, I have considered it recently
Aliza: Yeah, your art style could definitely lend itself to that kind of work. Good luck!
Closing Remarks: Though Jaemin still seems unsure as to where she want to take her art, she certainly takes her viewer through an intricate blend of styles and motifs. While she is clearly still learning and flexing her "design muscles" her overall talents are impossible to ignore. She aptly captures emotion and feeling as well as a general sense of life in her work. One practically expects to see her figures start moving across the page.
(All images found in this article are the sole property and work of Jaemin Kim)
This is an OK start, but is more of a general appreciation than a searching interview. You say you like things but you don't discuss the works either in terms of formal issues or content. Why did she paint the child, presumably she works from photographs? Always? Why? There needed to be far more in terms of follow up questions.
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