Meet Hyosun Hwang | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hyosun Hwang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hyosun, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since I was young, I have always had a lot to express. I discovered that creating something to convey my thoughts and feelings is a unique and wonderful gift. Fortunately, creating is both the most enjoyable and confident way for me to communicate.

Seeing beautiful products like posters, bedding, and clothes inspires me to create my own. Initially, I simply loved drawing, but over time, I found joy in knowing that my art could have practical applications and be used in various places.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I aim to capture the innocence of childhood in my work. When I witness children experiencing their first moments and their pure innocence, I feel the same heart-beating excitement. It’s gratifying to see people find joy in my artwork, often displaying childlike reactions when they encounter my artwork.

However, the journey to effectively express my intentions hasn’t been easy. During college, I created whatever I wanted, but sharing and discussing my work was challenging because the messages were too profound for many to understand. To communicate more easily through my art, I began focusing on the connection between myself and my audience, considering what they and I both enjoy.

Although I haven’t yet reached my ultimate goal as an illustrator, my aim is to convey the message that every creature deserves love and is adorable. I believe no one, whether human or animal, should be judged by social prejudices. Moreover, I think diversity makes the world colorful and rich.

I am still figuring out how to effectively convey this message and share it with a broader audience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would say I would take my best friend to Jeju Island this summer! It’s a completely different experience from where I currently live.

The east coast of Jeju is renowned for its beautiful beaches and ocean. You can enjoy tanning, surfing, snorkeling, or simply walking around. My favorite spot is Sehwa-ri, which features many charming local shops and a quiet, clean beach. The area is also known for its excellent local seafood restaurants, famous for octopus and shrimp.

The west coast of Jeju is breathtaking for sunsets, showcasing skies that turn pink, purple, and red. I highly recommend the Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road, where you can watch the stunning sunset with a windmill in the background, unobstructed by buildings.

Additionally, Jeju Island has many cute guesthouses. Whether traveling alone or with a few friends, having dinner with strangers and making new friends is another fun and enriching experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who have helped me get to where I am today. First and foremost, I would like to mention some of my professors from the School of Visual Arts:

David Soman, a children’s book author and illustrator. When I became a junior, I struggled to communicate with audiences through my art and felt lost because I just drew whatever I wanted. He guided me on how and what to draw more effectively, offering many valuable pieces of advice.

Julia Rothman, an illustrator and pattern designer. I met her during my junior year. Her class sparked my interest in creating products with my drawings, marking the beginning of my passion for product design.

Amanda Lanzone, an illustrator I met in my senior year. Her fun and creative curriculum led to the creation of many successful artworks, which people still love today.

Yuko Shimizu and Marcos Chin, both illustrators and my professors in the senior portfolio class. They provided practical tips for working as an independent illustrator and connected me with many great opportunities. They supported and helped students as much as they could throughout the year.

Each of these professors helped me find my artistic style and encouraged me to persevere whenever I felt discouraged.

I also want to give a shoutout to my fellow artist, Haeseung Rhee, a painter in South Korea. I met her during a month-long stay in Jeju Island. She creates abstract art while I focus on character drawing, yet our collaborative drawing sessions went remarkably well. Our time drawing together in Jeju provided me with a lot of inspiration and energy during a period when I felt bored with my work.

Website: https://www.hyosunhwang.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyosunhwang/