Meet Nathan Kim | Visual Designer

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

Hi Nathan, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
While the work itself is important, in the real world, it’s the people you interact with who help you go far. Throughout my career, the most crucial lesson I’ve learned is the irreplaceable value of human connections and interactions. While skills, knowledge, and hard work are undeniably significant, the true success stems from the relationships we build along the way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe I’m still an amateur when it comes to the professional creative design world. One of the quotes I still live by is from my professor, Henry, who said, ‘You have to stay curious to be a great designer.’ This quote reflects the perpetual quest for improvement and transformation in design—a continuous desire to better the visual world. There’s always something new to discover and learn, whether it’s adopting the skillset for upcoming AI or exploring new areas to expand the role as a multidisciplinary designer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ooo, I actually have a list of all the places and restaurants pinned on my Google Maps that I want to revisit or explore. If I were taking someone out in NYC, I’d definitely bring a tote bag with city essentials: a portable charger, a film camera, headphones, and a pair of black sunglasses.

Everything requires a reservation these days, so I would start my day by making reservations and planning to meet at the Whitney Museum. I love the whole neighborhood there; there are so many cafes, shops, and parks nearby. My friend works at Kobrick Coffee, so I would occasionally drop by, say hi, and grab a cup of coffee. Then, I’d head over to Little Island while listening to music or take a stroll down Bleecker St to get Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding. You’ll never get bored exploring that area.

I’d end my night by having dinner at Saigon Shack near Washington Square Park; I think it’s the best Pho in NYC. And if I’m feeling extra special, I’ll treat myself to some Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been numerous people who’ve played pivotal roles in helping me reach where I am today. From my dedicated coworkers to the childhood friends I still keep in touch with, I draw motivation and inspiration from the experiences and relationships around me.

However, if I were to dedicate a shoutout, it would unquestionably go to my college professors: Scott Buschkuhl (Type and Branding professor), Anthony Zukofsky, Henry Nuhn (Graphic Design Professors), JungIn Yun, Greg Lee (Motion Graphics professors), and Santiago Carrasquilla (Graphic Design Professor). They were the individuals who truly ignited my drive and set me on this path. Equally significant were my classmates from the 2021 at SVA; our year had an amazing chemistry and relationship with one another that really pushed each other for success and able to help me shaping my professional journey. Each of these individuals, in their unique way, deserves recognition for their influence and support in my story of growth and achievement.

Website: https://nathankim.design

Instagram: @woozy_kim

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathankim223/

Image Credits
The images/designs, created by a collaborative effort involving talented creatives from Ogilvy NYC, including Nathan Kim, and various teams contributing to this project, incorporate photos sourced from external agencies or production houses. These images/designs are subject to copyright held by the respective creative contributors and agencies involved. All rights and credits for these images/designs belong to the collaborative effort of Ogilvy NYC, Nathan Kim, the contributing teams, and external agencies or production houses.