Meet Halim Lee | Multidisciplinary Graphic Designer & Educator

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

Hi Halim, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
As a multidisciplinary graphic designer, I believe creativity thrives when we embrace risk rather than fear it. I explore new possibilities in graphic design by blending various media, from print to digital. While some attempts may fail, each new endeavor brings valuable knowledge and lessons that lay the foundation for better future projects. The greatest reward I gain from this process is the pure joy of creation.

Before pursuing my current career, I worked as an in-house designer for a large company where stability was prioritized above all else. Stepping beyond boundaries was considered too risky, so we consistently opted for safe choices. While this approach might seem reasonable at first glance, I witnessed many talented designers lose their passion and leave, as the focus on stability stifled the joy of creating something new.

For designers, the act of creating is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the profession. Only by actively pushing boundaries and taking creative risks can we grow and evolve into better versions of ourselves.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
From a young age, I loved reading novels. Once I became immersed in a book, I wouldn’t hear anyone calling me, and I often spent sleepless nights sitting in the same spot, engrossed in reading. My favorite type of stories are those that start out seemingly ordinary but gradually take unexpected turns, weaving peculiar twists and foreshadowing into a narrative that ultimately delivers a breathtaking surprise. The joy I feel in those moments of surprise is incomparable to anything else.

As a graphic designer, I enjoy translating the narrative essence of such novels into my designs. I love moments in a story where a surprising twist heightens emotions, but I found that relying solely on visual elements often fell short of fully conveying these feelings. This led me to naturally explore combining graphic design with other mediums, one of which was coding.

At first, I had no background in coding and wasn’t sure if I could achieve the results I envisioned. However, I took the leap during a series of graduate studio projects, where I had no choice but to complete the work. I remember the nights spent anxiously searching many websites for solutions whenever the code didn’t work. Although I lacked knowledge of programming languages themselves, my experience as a GUI designer helped me quickly grasp the overall structure. By repeatedly diving into these challenges with a let’s just try mindset, I eventually found myself improving in coding without even realizing it.

Through this process, I learned that if someone truly loves something and refuses to give up, they will eventually find a way forward, even if they start with no knowledge at all. As an educator, I strive to apply this philosophy to help my students grow. I encourage them to focus on subjects they are passionate about, challenge them with tasks that are more difficult than what they believe they can handle, and support them in overcoming obstacles when they feel like giving up. I firmly believe that the greatest sense of accomplishment comes from successfully tackling difficult tasks in a field they love. Once students experience that success, their newfound confidence motivates them to approach future challenges with even greater dedication and enthusiasm.

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.
If my friends were to visit my hometown, Seoul, I would love to take them to Jongno-gu, one of the central northern districts of the city. In areas like Seochon, Bukchon, and around City Hall Station, they could explore charming independent bookstores, visit Korea’s renowned galleries and museums, and stroll along streets lined with design shops, traditional Korean restaurants, dessert cafes, and Hanoks (traditional Korean houses). This is one of my favorite areas in Korea. I hope I get the chance to show my friends around there someday.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Christopher and Kathleen Sleboda, who were my professors for the Newly Formed class I took while attending Rhode Island School of Design, have been the greatest mentors in my growth as both a designer and an educator. They introduced new prompts each week, encouraging me and my friends to constantly explore fresh ideas. The vibrant and dynamic classroom atmosphere helped alleviate the fear of failure, enabling us to take bolder and more diverse risks in our work.

They genuinely cared for and supported their students, fostering an educational environment built on mutual respect and encouragement between educators and learners. This invisible yet profoundly impactful positive and passionate environment is, in fact, one of the most critical factors influencing individuals’ growth and any organization’s success. Such an atmosphere often outweighs even the individual feedback, as it transforms the collective mindset and energy of the group. This shift encourages every member to become a mentor to one another, fostering mutual care, pride in belonging, and a drive to strive harder and grow as individuals.

Their pedagogy demonstrated how the simple yet powerful principle that a good environment creates good organizations and results can truly manifest in practice. This was the realization I had been seeking for a long time and represents one of the most profound life lessons I learned during my time at school, beyond just design.

Website: https://leehalim.com

Instagram: @alim.db

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halim-lee-84741b239

Image Credits
Halim Lee