Hyojin Kim is a designer with a passion for blurring boundaries

“There is no limit to putting meaning in letters”: The Seoul-based designer tells us why she refuses to restrict herself to any specific strand of design.

Hyojin Kim is a creative who revels in being rebellious. By refusing to restrict herself to any specific strand of design, she instead loves “blending tastes” and “crossing boundaries” throughout her eclectic practice. First countering graphic design while studying at Sejong University, Hyojin now works at a design agency, creating identities for companies and brands.

Hyojin also maintains a freelance practice, throughout which she expresses her penchant for typography: “I think there is no limit to putting meaning in letters,” she tells It's Nice That. A recent project saw Hyojin working on an identity for Barigate, an “industrial-themed” cafe specialising in baguettes. Featuring a heavy, block typeface while paying homage to the sandwich, Hyojin cleverly nestled the shape of a baguette within the holes of the logo. Moreover, earlier this year Hyojin gave her personal website a refresh using a type that wobbles as if it's underwater, and a flower motif to reflect that “my job is to help my clients grow their business”. Approaching each design with a unique perspective, and the flexibility to be led in any direction, Hyojin is a designer that any project would benefit from.

GalleryHyojin Kim: hjk identity, web design and photography (Copyright © Hyojin Kim, 2022)

GalleryHyojin Kim: Barigate identity and photography (Copyright © Barigate, 2022)

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Hyojin Kim: We are nothing artwork (Copyright © Hyojin Kim, 2020)

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Hyojin Kim: You are free artwork (Copyright © Hyojin Kim, 2021)

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Hyojin Kim: hjk identity, web design and photography (Copyright © Hyojin Kim, 2022)

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About the Author

Olivia Hingley

Olivia (she/her) joined the It’s Nice That team as an editorial assistant in November 2021 and soon became staff writer. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in English literature and history, she’s particularly interested in photography, publications and type design.

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