Hi ! My name is Kaly Jin, or 진현정. (if you can read Korean.)
Do you want to know about me? People say I’m a “hard to figure out kind” of person. But I think I am the easiest person to figure out.
Because I mean what I say. I am not good at sugarcoating things. maybe that’s why people say I’m blunt and cold.
But please don’t get all worked up, End of the day, I’m just one more noise in this world, right?
If you are here to see if I will be good ’employee or contractor’, Please read till the end.
I don’t want to just follow instructions and make whatever the payer says anymore. Everything should have a purpose. or that won’t matter of existing.
Well, I used to create things that really is meaningless in my 20s. However, I found that was depressing and not worth it at all for me nor my client.
How can something become “A Thing”, that matter for people when that comes from someone who is not interested.
I don’t like to take in a job because of the money, I’d like to take a project because of interests and I am driven to make things better.
I like to improve things, make things, and create something that can be “a Thing” for the user or the other end of audience.
I’ve worked for design agencies, marketing companies, media companies, and big corporations. and I found they have one thing in common. “Just make whatever before the due date, I only care enough for the revenue for the next quarter”.
Of course, there are good people and companies don’t have that mindset. but we all know there are too many people with that attitude.
The first thing I ask my client or employer is “what do you like about what you do? if you can do anything, What would you like to do to get your business better?
I like to see the weak points, and the very strong points as well. Once we figure out how to turn the weak points around, Problem solved!
I don’t want to make more noise in this loud and busy world, I like to create that matter & move people. We all are tired of colorful and loud marketing that just pops up in front of us a thousand times a day.
Your Business is My Business, I care about What people do, ACT and THINK. Not only how things look.
It might seem a small step to make a world better place, but it’s the least I can do.
We need to care more, aware clearly, and act smart.
Let’s stop creating boring nonsense. Let’s make (at least) a few people to be happy from the work I do.
If you are looking for someone just to create the same marketing material as next-door business, I can tell you this, First of all, that won’t work for you or your business, people are already used to all noise that won’t improve their life. and don’t make people any dumber by making dumb things.
Forget about hiring someone to care if you don’t care. You can just go hire some graphic design students or your friend’s daughter who just got into college to learn Photoshop.
Read further if you consider yourself a proud business owner or smart worker.
I am an independent, creative, and open-minded designer that looks beyond the confines and considers overall design.
Applying many combined 13+years of experience, I patiently research your needs, ply considers your situation, pursues a creative solution, and expertly makes it real. Sounds too good? Maybe because you haven’t met anyone who cares so much nowadays. I struggled, I learned hard way.
I rather do nothing if I have to do something meaningless.
I spent too much time to make a person(employer or client) happy. I didn’t know enough at the time, I have to care for an audience who will come across my work. We have to think about the bigger picture.
Every situation is unique. Every project small or big is important. Everything is its own. Every setting deserves to be considered for its independence. Layout, Art, Photo, Text, Graphics, photography, web, printing, and product design I offer many options. Your need may require one or many. I take time to consider your business/company and need an innovative design that is all about you. It should be all about You or your business. It shouldn’t be look-alike with something or shouldn’t be a lie.
One day! maybe one day, I like to surrounded by only smart and caring people. Should we start to curing ignorance now? That cannot be an impossible thing to do, right?
Let’s talk! send me an email!
*I would like to get handwritten letters too!
I was putting together pictures for this profile page, and I thought, “For a person who takes pictures for over 15 years… It’s a very small collection of photos.” (I love the fact I don’t have much! I don’t like pictures of myself ) It’s all I got for photos of myself. All of them are taken between 2007-2012.
Now you know how I look like, and maybe say hi if we run into each other in someplace. 🙂
You might figure some of my personality by those pictures. That’s great! I am not good at explaining myself.
Well, It’s portfolio/Bio page so I will try my best to put myself in some categories(that society made up) for you.
First, I born in year 1988.
Second, I am Korean (South), and I moved to Canada in 2011.
And, Third, maybe about the career? or personality?
OK, here is the list of my summed-up life story.
Age 5-10 : love water, ocean and lived by the beach every summer break.
According to my parents, I showed love and passion for toy cars and robot rather than a doll house.
Age 7-15 : Thanks to my mom, She let me take any music and art lesson I wanted to get. Piano, violin, flute, sing, and drum
and Thanks to my dad, he didn’t get mad at me when I taking things apart. (He lost many electronics and machines because of me)
Age 8-12 : Got an award in every art competition I attended in my hometown province. (my teacher thought I will be a big artist) Huh…?
Age 12 ish : Wanted to be a musician! (Yeah,, sure..)
Age 12 : Built my first chair, desk and many types of furniture. (wasn’t level!)
Age 13-14: Fell in love with Film cameras, paper, cars, and architecture. Wanted to be an Engineer.
Age 14 : Built my first pinhole camera and an acrylic fish tank with lights and curves. (bending acrylic is so fun!)
Age 15 : Wanted to go to engineering school but wanted to be a designer as well.
Age 17 : Figured out I am not very good at math like others and found drawing and painting different ideas were fun. joined art academy to learn how to draw things I want.
Age 18 : Found the perfect course for me! Got in Industrial Design course and start working for a design agency, and event/exhibit planning.
Age 19 : Fell in love with paper, went to Seoul every school break, worked in publishing. (Mainly Vogue and Elle fashion magazines and Hyundai car catalogs)
Age 19 : First group photo exhibit (you can find on the project tab), did lots of design projects for small companies and brands.
Age 20 : Experienced “Craziness” on Event planning for a local event. 3 million audience and 4 stages to manage in 3 days of the event….. It was too busy! (Daegu Dongsungro festival)
Got an award from the “Universal design competition” for grip handle design for everyone.
Age 21 : Wanted to make stationary that works for nearly everyone, so I Founded Knot
Age 21 : Graduated University : Industrial Design. @ Yeoung-nam University, South Korea (with honor)
Age 21-22 : First solo photography exhibit, Started to recognized as a Designer by employers and companies.
Age 20-23 : Work for few companies, two were start-up companies. Learn and taught myself how to build a brand new company and how to grow.
Age 23 : Moved to Canada. Had to give up my career and friends.
Age 23-24 : Opened up a small store with mom in the countryside | Missing urban, but it was a new experience in the quiet town.
Age 24 : Decided to move to a bigger city, Moved to Guelph, Ontario
Age 24-25 : Worked as a cashier, I even tried line work at a plastic injection factory, do odd design and photography jobs for small businesses.
Age 26 : Hired at metal fabricating shop, makes custom parts for a transport truck. Yay! VEHICLE!!!
Age 27 : Created new workflow system, IT structure, part numbers, instructions for staff & customers for the custom truck parts company.
Age 28 : Tried too hard, work (too) fast at work, way ahead, set back by others, figured out “better” and “efficiency” isn’t for everyone, People don’t like changes. But still utilize improving changes where I can.
Age 29 : Company is growing super speed, didn’t have much time for freelance work.
Age 30 : Being a lot more easy-going, set-back kind of person after all the career dramas I had over a decade, learning and teaching myself for anything I like to know more about.
I care for others and this world, and I want to make some improvements as much as I can. I am always looking for a project that helps me to do that and like to meet people.
I desire to learn, grow my skill, and also gain more knowledge in other industries. Trying every day to create something and find some excitement.
Here are some infographics if that help you to save some time to figure me out. Send me an email for resume/references.
