Meet Jenna Lee | Graphic Designer

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

Hi Jenna, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I see risk-taking as closely connected to imagination and creativity. When I stay within what I already know—things that feel safe and familiar—the results tend to be just as expected. There’s comfort in that, but not much room for surprise or change. I’ve found that real creativity often begins just outside that space—where the outcome isn’t certain, but there’s room to discover something new. Risk makes that space possible. It asks us to let go of what we know and follow curiosity instead.

In my experience, taking creative risks has meant working with unfamiliar tools, exploring visual ideas that felt strange at first, or sharing thoughts before they were fully formed. Those moments are often uncomfortable, but they create space for unexpected ideas to emerge and grow.

For me, risk-taking isn’t really about being fearless. It’s about being open—to possibility, to process, and to not knowing exactly where something might lead.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The path to where I am now hasn’t been easy. As someone who has lived between cultures and languages, I’ve often felt out of place—like I’m constantly translating not just words, but entire ways of seeing and understanding. Over time, I realized that feeling like a stranger wasn’t a weakness. It gave me a different perspective. It taught me to see with fresh eyes, to remain adaptable, and to design with empathy for those who don’t always feel centered.

That’s where my design starts. I’m drawn to things that feel unfamiliar, in-between, or easy to overlook. That’s usually where the most interesting questions are. This outsider lens pushes me to observe more closely and to challenge what’s considered “normal.” It shapes how I work—I notice small shifts, moments of tension, and alternative ways of seeing. Whether I’m working with type, motion, or systems, I always ask: what else could this be?

Typography, in particular, has become a space where I explore these questions. I’m fascinated by how visual form can shape meaning—how rhythm, structure, or tension within type can shift how something is read or felt. For me, typography isn’t just about designing letters. It’s about creating a language that allows for different meanings, unexpected ideas, and new ways of seeing.

That perspective still guides everything I make.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting LA, we’d probably spend most of our time eating. There’s so much variety here that you could plan a whole trip just by following the food. We’d mostly plan the days around what we wanted to eat—seolleongtang or Korean barbecue in K-Town, dim sum in the San Gabriel Valley, taco trucks, or even Ethiopian food. I’d keep the rest unplanned. Maybe we’d walk into a vintage store, watch the sunset from Griffith, or just drive around with no real plan.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to the people who shaped how I think and work—my instructors and peers from ArtCenter, and the teammates and collaborators I’ve worked with since. Their ideas, questions, and ways of seeing helped me grow and push my own thinking. A lot of my work has been shaped by the people I’ve worked alongside. I’m also deeply grateful to my family and friends—the ones who supported me not with advice, but with presence. Their encouragement helped me stay grounded, especially during moments of doubt or change. I wouldn’t be doing what I do without both.

Website: https://jennalee.design

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-hyeji-lee/