Heejai Park, a student at the ArtCenter College of Design under the mentorship of Professor Stephen Serrato, earned a prestigious Platinum Award in the New Talent 2024 competition for her project, “Time & Space.” This imaginative work, showcased in the Book Design category, reflects Heejai’s unique approach to unifying diverse artistic perspectives through cohesive visual language. Influenced by her fine arts background and enriched by her internship at SFMOMA, Heejai’s design incorporates a rainbow gradient to symbolize the fluidity of time and space. Her imagined use of augmented reality and interactive displays further enhanced the project’s success. 

By: Heejai Park, Student, ArtCenter College of Design

My early experiences in Seoul, South Korea, have profoundly shaped my design journey. Before moving to the US to study graphic design at ArtCenter, I studied fine arts and drawing. This training honed my skills in observing objects in detail and profoundly influenced my aesthetic sensibilities and approach to design. Currently, I am spending my summer break as a graphic design intern at SFMOMA. Through this experience, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a small in-house design team, creating designs for my favorite artists and various 2D works related to exhibitions. As someone who loves fine art, working in a museum has always been my dream. But lately, I've developed an interest in technology and am excited about collaborating with diverse brands on dynamic projects as well. My work tends to be playful, bright, and vibrant, yet I also appreciate the simplicity and modernity of classic design principles.

“Time and Space: Space-time Changing” is an imaginative exhibition that brings together six installation artists who have redefined the concept of time and space through their unique perspectives. The exhibition and catalog design incorporated a rainbow gradient as a visual language to establish a sense of cohesion among six different artists within a single theme. The inspiration for this project stemmed from a fascination with how different artists interpret and manipulate the concepts of time and space. I was particularly influenced by the works of Yayoi Kusama and Olafur Eliasson, whose installations create immersive experiences that challenge our perception of reality.

My creative strategy involved extensive research and understanding of the artists’ approaches to time and space. I aimed to create a visual identity for the exhibition that would unify the diverse works while allowing each artist’s unique perspective to shine. The rainbow gradient became the central visual element, symbolizing the fluidity and interconnectedness of time and space. One significant challenge was ensuring that the diverse styles of the six artists could be harmoniously presented within a single exhibition. To overcome this, I focused on creating a strong visual identity that could tie everything together. Innovative techniques, such as augmented reality elements and interactive displays, enhanced the viewer’s experience.

The exhibition was a resounding success, drawing significant attention from the art community and the public. It achieved high levels of audience engagement, with visitors spending extended time interacting with the installations and sharing their experiences on social media. The project also garnered critical acclaim, increasing the participating artists’ brand awareness.

Winning this award is a significant milestone in my career. It has validated my approach to design and inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity. This experience has taught me the importance of a unified vision in creating impactful work. To my fellow creatives, I would say embrace different perspectives. The magic often happens when diverse ideas come together.

Hi, my name is Heejai Park. I’m excited to introduce myself and share my experience. I am a graphic design student at ArtCenter College of Design, specializing in brand identity, digital design, motion design, and illustration, based in Seoul and Los Angeles.

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