What made you decide to become a designer?
My name is Min Jin, I am an amenity design specialist based in NYC. I create high-quality, exciting amenity spaces in NYC apartments. My specialty, amenity design requires in-depth knowledge in ergonomic design, interior design, and architecture. It’s a challenging yet fun career that will always push you to be better at one project to the next.
I decided to become a designer to make a difference in people’s lives. To design the space that people will use every day is my great joy – and a great purpose. I love what I do, and the best part of being a designer is that there will be new skill set and knowledge to learn every day. The design world is constantly evolving, and that’s what made me “stay” in the design world. Can you tell us more about your design background? I’ve started my design journey in sketching. My passion to create began in Korea, where I am from. I constantly sketched interior spaces when I was growing up- and it never stopped when I came to the US to study. When I started design education, I actively looked to gain a multitude of design knowledge that covers a wide range of design scales. I have in-depth knowledge in environmental design on a global scale, simultaneously I’ve always loved detail-oriented studies like typography.
I was academically trained in Architecture at Rhode Island School of Design where I tuned into the issue of sustainability and resilient architecture. As an amenity design specialist, I strongly believe in integrating architecture and amenity interiors; creating a high-density, exciting living space that provides all elements of fun. These amenity spaces include lobby, gym, lounges, and other shared spaces. By holistically bringing the fun elements to practical designs, I seek to propose solutions for contemporary issues like carbon footprints in urban lifestyle. The overarching goal of designs are developed to reduce carbon footprints generated by traveling outside of apartments.
How do you stay inspired and keep coming up with creative ideas? I take the city I live as a main source of inspiration. I am currently located in New York City, where many exhibitions, art and design innovations are being actualized. I make an effort to connect with the up-and-coming artists through these shows. You will never know if a short conversation you strike with these creative artists can lead to creative ideas of your own.
I also connect through the alumni network of my alma mater. It is a joy to meet with people who share great memories of a design education. Many are active artists, while some are renowned educators around the globe. Connecting with the diverse group of professionals dials me back to the state of “creative flows”, and it’s a truly exciting experience.
What does good design mean to you? A good design is an authentic expression of its “materials”. Its color and tactile nature always bring design concepts to reality. My goal as a designer is to create amenities that are bold, dramatic, and visually striking. Through the careful juxtaposition of materials, I get to show people how exciting, extra-ordinary everyday spaces could be. Bringing the exciting, inspiring experience should be the initial reaction for a “good design”.
As an amenity design specialist that works in both the design industry and real estate industry, I hope to craft a “good design” that facilitates a convenient, luxurious lifestyle for urban dwellers.
What is the most challenging thing in your profession? As an amenity design specialist, I am tasked to meet the square footage requirements from multiple parties: the real estate developers, the city planning and architects. Working as a design specialist, meeting design expectations and square footage requirements have always been the most challenging but rewarding portion of the profession. For example, for a gaming lounge for the “Astro Amenities” project, I was challenged with the clearance of the pool table and other gaming tools that were so closely laid out together. At the end of a critical design phase, I was able to make the room feel comfortable, spacious and remain multi-functional. The room had a clear circulation for users, and met design requirements.
Please, explain the best project you are most proud of and why. “Astro Amenities” is an amenity design proposal for the sustainable future. For residents of multi-family apartments in New York City, all residents need is to step outside of their apartment door. Instead of driving to a spa, lounge, a bar and a social game room, I am seeking to eliminate the carbon footprint generated by a dweller traveling to another destination. By bolstering amenity rooms that are fun and aesthetically appealing, “Astro amenities” augments bright celestial amenity experiences together under one roof. It’s a thought-provoking, audacious design proposal. My holistic design approach is well-established within the program and design narrative.
I entered this project for the Arch Design Award because I believe that the design industry is ready to create a good, sustainable development project.
What is your biggest design career moment? How does this milestone impact your career? It was so rewarding to hear that I received the bronze Arch Design Award ’23. To be featured in the Arch Design Award website along with established designers has been one of the biggest design career moments of 2023.
As the award recipient, I am inspired to develop more designs that are exciting, daring, and transformative. Through the Arch Design Award, I feel so fortunate to share my expertise in amenity designs- which is a niche specialty that is gaining momentum. I envision myself further developing my career as an amenity design specialist that brings my expertise to many more multi-family projects.
Arch Design Award ’23 was the milestone I wanted to achieve in the beginning of 2023. For me, being a part of the competition was a humbling experience to reflect on my goals and purpose as a design specialist. I hope other design specialists are inspired by the vision and message of the Arch Design Award to recognize “good designs”. I got to witness other designers' recognized projects, which helped me gain insights as a design specialist and a young professional. How do you learn and grow your knowledge and design skills? I am a frequent visitor and participant of local architect/ interior design meetups. By meeting the specialists that are in the forefront of the industry, I am always gaining new knowledge and skill sets. To grow as a specialist, I hope my fellow designers will join the engaging industry conversations in their local communities. There are always industry-specific events; they can be small, large, or can be at an international level. I visit these events consistently; and I think this is one of the greatest time investments to grow my knowledge.
Hard skills such as computer skills are great. Simultaneously, soft skill sets such as verbally exchanging ideas and communicating solutions better can broaden our horizons.
What would you say will be future of design? The concept of smaller apartment units with luxurious amenity programs has been introduced recently. This is a driver to make apartment residents more social within the shared spaces. The residents are always inspired to step outside of their units and socialize with others. As for the amenity design specialty, I believe this housing concept will drive amenity design and the real estate industry for the next 5-10 years.
As for the design industry in general, I believe that “sustainable designs” will lead the future of design. We are standing at the pivotal moment of human history- it is imperative that we address environmental pollution and carbon footprints generated by contemporary design. I believe the “sustainable design” sector will change every aspect of the design industry, including the way we generate designs. What are your career plans for the future? I am always in motion to develop a new project. With the recognition from the Arch Design Award, I hope to further develop the “Astro Amenities” project and implement it in real life. My biggest career goal of 2023 is to fine-tune my expertise in the design demands of the NYC housing market. My primary project is located in NYC- and I want to exceed the design and market demands for this project.
Where can people find your projects and get in touch with you? My profile can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/min-jin-kook/
I hope to get connected with like-minded people on LinkedIn. I have my academic work that holds a special place in my heart. They are daring, colorful and experimental. I hope the readers of this article reach out to me, ask questions, or say hello.
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