I want to live crazy about design
Futureoftheocean interview with Ms. JiWon Sung
It was not so difficult to observe Ms. Sung profile among the professionals asking to become members of LinkedIn “Maritime Group” (group managed by the Futureoftheocean team).
She lives and works in South Korea what it is, no mystery, one of the shipbuilding powerhouse of the world. We know all know South Korea s building huge vessels but Ms. Sung designs in South Korea interiors and exteriors for yachts.
This was quite intriguing for me but also another record of the fact that women are more and more present in the maritime industry therefore I’ve decided to invite Ms. Sung to share her story and thoughts with us.
Futureoftheocean:
Thank you very much Ms. Sung for accepting having this interview with futureoftheocean.com. May I ask you if you have any early connection with the sea?
Ms. Sung:
First of all, thank you for suggesting an interview. Since I was young, I liked to create, and I used to be interested in creating and developing new things that no one showed. As I lived in a city with the sea, I naturally encountered the sea a lot, and although I couldn't swim, I liked to play on the beach and fell into contemplation while looking at the sea.
Futureoftheocean:
When it was the moment were you understood that you would like to do exterior and interior design?
Ms. Sung:
As mentioned earlier, I like to create my room since I was young, so I designed, decorated, and made my room and used it as an interior prop. So I chose to major in architecture and interior design and went to college without hesitation to design architecture as well as interior design. My obsession for design continued even after I got married, and one day someone offered me a yacht design and a ship interior design. Soon I was convinced that this was my way, especially when I heard that I would become the first yacht designer in Korea, which was an amazing opportunity for me but also showed the continuous evolution of the country.
And by the way, for me, who has endless ideas, exterior design and interior design are of equal interest because are the source of my passion.
Futureoftheocean:
Why have you decided to use your design skills in the maritime industry?
Ms. Sung:
I like any design. I like everything that required design, such as buildings, furniture, cars, and clothing, but I found that I am excited and passionate in a special way when I design yachts and floating architectures. I often find myself feeling so happy when I design so I simply lose the track of time.
Futureoftheocean:
Your LinkedIn profile informs that you’ve been involved in a variety of projects for the design of the maritime equipment. Could you please tell us more?
Ms. Sung:
LinkedIn only briefly introduced me. For the past 19 years, I have designed many things and I have designed various things. It's a pity that I couldn't design a larger variety of things because simply I didn't have enough time to do it.
If I will have more opportunities in the future, I would like to design more but especially to express all the content of my heart and soul. I also want to test how far I can get ideas out of my mind. That much, I love design!
Creating something out of nothing is my motto and I want to live crazy about design.
Futureoftheocean:
Do you think that it was an advantage or a disadvantage to be a woman as designer of exteriors and interiors of maritime units?
Ms. Sung:
There will be pros and cons in every field as a woman and as a man but I think it is somewhat difficult to express the pros and cons in few words.
However, before saying that it may be an advantage to be a woman or a man, I think that the depth and intention of design are expressed by how much one is interested in the field and how much one can study it and express it in design.
Futureoftheocean:
After 20 years of professional you are probably at the middle of your professional career.
What plans and especially what dreams do you have for the next half of your professional career?
Ms. Sung:
Unfortunately, I don't feel that during my 20 years career in Korea, I wasn't enough active in the yacht industry. However, I would like to say that there is a high possibility of growth in the future because Korea is a country with infinite potential.
I want to make a better future for the yachts by pouring my talents and skills into the most of the yachts design aspects. I trust that yachts can evolve from a leisure object into a mean of transportation and culture that can easily face our daily lives instead just been a casual “spectator” of our lives.
Futureoftheocean:
What is your essential advice for a young person (man or woman) just starting to work as designer of exteriors and interiors of maritime units?
Ms. Sung:
I’ve been studying alone in a poor environment where I had no teacher to tutor me and no books in Korean language for learning. I am now where I am and who I am because I’ve been tireless in my passion for design and I’ve continued to challenge and push myself forward with every step I’ve made.
I hope more young friends will appear who want to promote the development and design of the marine industry same as me. I trust that they will revitalize the marine industry and create a brighter future.
They will have to work from inside their heart and with passion but I think that it is nothing that they can't do. I hope they won’t be afraid of changes and challenges, and they will draw and express their thoughts truly from their heart.
Futureoftheocean:
How do you see the future of the design of exteriors and interiors of the maritime units?
Ms. Sung:
Many economies have been stagnant due to COVID-19, and all industries are changing and developing into another shape. My colleagues and I believe that the yacht and marine industries will also need new developments and challenges to accept and respond to changes. It will be my future responsibility to create better results from endless development and research.
About Ms. Jiwon Sung
Ms. Sung is owner and designer at J.SUNG Design co., Ltd
J.SUNG Design is dedicated to yacht interior and exterior designs based on professional and unique ideas with a strong passion for yacht.
She also designs for floating houses and small-sized leisure boat and equipment. In addition, she has high technical skills in realizing 2D and 3D models. She offers various design services from concept design to technical design and installation management.
Contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiwon-sung-313a4115/
Pictures:
All pictures belong entirely to Ms. Jiwon Sung.
Please contact Ms. Sung for more information about the pictures.
