Juyeon Park

I chose to pursue a career in design because I was intrigued by its potential to solve user-centric problems and contribute to societal advancement. Since a young age, I've harboured a passion for art and design, but what truly resonated with me was the understanding that design goes beyond mere aesthetics; it serves as a tool to confront real-world challenges and positively impact people's lives.

The idea of harnessing design to address pressing societal issues and uplift communities deeply inspired me. Throughout my professional journey, I've found immense fulfillment in utilising design to meet user needs while concurrently striving to make meaningful societal contributions. Whether it's crafting accessible technologies, championing social change through design, or enhancing experiences for individuals and communities, I am driven by the convergence of problem-solving and social impact inherent in the field of design.

I started my career as a Visual Interaction Designer at Elice Group, the leading coding education platform startup in South Korea. Currently, I serve as a Product Designer at NRISE, where my responsibilities include fulfilling the design for WIPPY, South Korea's top social dating service, and QUAT, a home training service.

Additionally, I launched the 'Harusali' project as a designer with the freelance developer-designer group NEXTERS. Furthermore, as the Interaction Design Lead at midiDICE, I collaborated with esteemed institutions such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, Museum of Contemporary Art Busan, Art Center Nabi, and and Seoul National University Urban Data Science Lab on projects like 'Interplaytions' and 'Doodlering', and 'MMWD'.

Recently, I had the opportunity to teach 'UX Basics and User Research' at a UX/UI bootcamp as part of the IT workforce development program by the South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor, where I mentored over 100 junior designers.

"Design" to me encompasses a multifaceted approach that extends beyond the creation of visually pleasing products. It serves as a catalyst for problem-solving, societal progress, and meaningful impact.

From my perspective, design is about identifying challenges, understanding user needs, and innovating solutions that positively influence society. It's a dynamic process that requires empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking to address diverse issues and enhance people's lives.

Throughout my career, I've witnessed how design can drive positive change, whether through inclusive solutions, advocacy for social causes, or enriching experiences for individuals and communities. Ultimately, design represents the intersection of creativity and functionality, with the power to shape our world for the better.

My preferred type of design is one that seamlessly integrates with the user experience, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted connection. This approach not only avoids disrupting user actions but also enhances usability and fosters a positive impact on society. It aligns perfectly with my passion for problem-solving and social contribution within the design domain, making it my preferred choice.

In my perspective, good design is about boldly eliminating user discomforts and obstacles. It entails addressing challenges in a manner that enhances user experience and accessibility. By removing barriers and refining interactions, good design facilitates a seamless and intuitive journey for users, ultimately leading to increased satisfaction and effectiveness.

Our award-winning design was born out of a shared concern among our team members, particularly Hee-eun Kwak, who served as both the Project Manager and UX/UI Designer. Hee-eun's keen awareness of the challenges faced by economically inexperienced young adults served as the catalyst for our project.

Together, we embarked on a journey to create a solution that would empower users to take control of their finances effectively. Through collaborative efforts and Hee-eun's leadership, we conceptualised Harusali as a transformative tool in personal finance management.

Our primary inspiration for this design came from our desire to make personal finance management more accessible and engaging for users. We drew inspiration from the concept of gamification, recognising its potential to transform mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. By incorporating playful elements and a visually appealing interface, we aimed to create a platform that users would find not only practical but also enjoyable to use.

Additionally, we were inspired by the need for a more intuitive and user-centric approach to financial management, which guided our design decisions throughout the development process.

Growing up in South Korea has cultivated in me a profound appreciation for aesthetic design and a discerning eye. The country's rich pool of talented designers fosters a culture deeply rooted in design thinking, which translates into the development of visually captivating interfaces.

This cultural backdrop influences our design processes, enabling us to consistently deliver solutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also user-friendly. Moreover, meeting the high standards set by South Koreans naturally aligns with global expectations, ensuring that our designs resonate on a global scale.

Winning the London Design Award is a tremendous honour for me and our team. It signifies recognition for our outstanding achievements and dedication to projects in the realm of design. It reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of design to create ideal solutions while acknowledging our dedication to ideal innovation and user-centric design.

This award holds particular significance for the team members who tirelessly worked day and night. Special recognition goes to our colleague designer Hee-eun Kwak, who tirelessly collaborated on countless revisions to ensure the realisation of a user-friendly experience, and developers Kyung Moo An, Taehyun Lee, and Gowoon Choi, who contributed significantly to the project's success.

Certainly! The project we submitted to the London Design Awards is called Harusali, an innovative finance management application designed to empower economically inexperienced young adults. Harusali revolutionises financial management by seamlessly allowing users to input monthly budgets, track expenses, and receive tailored real-time feedback based on spending habits.

We chose to enter this project into the awards because of its groundbreaking approach to financial management and its significant potential to positively impact users' financial habits. Moreover, Harusali's user-centric design, including the integration of a coin character for spending feedback and innovative Lottie technology for animations, sets it apart from traditional finance apps. Its success is further validated by its impressive 4.3 rating on the Google Play Store, reflecting its effectiveness in meeting user needs and preferences.

Throughout the design process, our primary challenges centered on establishing an engaging and efficient feedback mechanism within Harusali. Our objective was to convert mundane financial data into a visually captivating and user-friendly interface.

This demanded innovative strategies, such as creating a relatable coin character and integrating dynamic animations with expressive facial cues to drive the feedback system. Overcoming these hurdles entailed iterative testing and refinement, guided by user feedback, to ensure resonance with our target demographic and effective communication of financial insights in an appealing manner.

Furthermore, technical obstacles were tackled by leveraging expertise in real-time data analysis and implementing server techniques to ensure seamless expense tracking.

Winning this award would confirm our ongoing efforts to address user problems through design. It wouldn't drastically alter our approach; rather, it would reinforce our commitment to excellence and inspire us to keep pushing boundaries. We will continue striving to solve user issues effectively, knowing that our dedication and hard work are recognised and valued. This award would fuel our determination to maintain our high standards and drive us to excel further in the future.

In the design industry, my top three favorite aspects are the diverse creative possibilities, collaborative opportunities, and the impact on user experience.

Firstly, I revel in exploring new ideas and devising innovative solutions as a product designer, inspired by the myriad creative avenues available in the industry. Secondly, within collaborative opportunities, I cherish the chance to work alongside talented, passionate, and inspiring team members. This perspective allows for more enriching and fulfilling collaborations.

Lastly, I am deeply gratified by witnessing how design positively influences users' lives, presenting exhilarating challenges in enhancing user experiences and realising the potential for tangible, real-world change.

In striving to make finance less intimidating and more user-friendly, Harusali sets itself apart. Particularly, it introduces a witty and personable dynamic coin character that directly interacts with users, offering feedback customised to their needs and preferences.

Refining your descriptions is crucial for effectively communicating key points, especially to those unfamiliar with your design. Seeking feedback from third parties can also be beneficial. Since you've become accustomed to your design, maintaining objectivity in evaluation can be challenging. Keeping these considerations in mind will lead to improved outcomes.

I would recommend prioritising exposure to continuously evolving designs. By immersing yourself in a diverse range of designs, your skills will naturally progress as your perspective expands. Furthermore, maintaining curiosity and exploring the integration of new software and diverse technologies can ignite inspiration and significantly enhance your abilities.

I find inspiration from my colleagues around me. I believe there's always something to learn from others. Whether it's strengths to admire or weaknesses to learn from, there's always a lesson to be gained. Moreover, I appreciate receiving feedback from these colleagues. It allows me to refine myself each day based on constructive criticism.

Discontentment. It involves continually seeking areas for improvement and striving to bridge those gaps. Progress often corresponds to the quality and quantity of such endeavours. This is what propels me forward in my life journey.

As the Project Manager and UX/UI Designer, I want to extend a big shoutout to Hee-eun Kwak, who spearheaded the project from start to finish. I also want to commend the outstanding developers, Kyung Moo An, Taehyun Lee, and Gowoon Choi, for their efforts in ensuring smooth interactions between users and the system.

Lastly, I'd like to recognise my own contribution in defining the persona of the coin character and animating it, which injected vitality and identity into the service.