We recently connected with Hannah Kwon and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hannah, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
To me, self-care is about paying attention to one’s physical, spiritual, and mental needs in order to maintain overall well-being. As a graduate of a reputable design school and a professional architectural designer, I understand the pressure to excel in my field with endless deadlines. However, just a few months into my career, I found myself burnt out and trapped in a vicious cycle of work without much rest. In the midst of my journey to balance my creativity and sustainability, I was fortunate enough to find a job that focuses on collaboration more than an individual pursuit. In order to perform at a higher level, I needed elements of rest, nourishment, and self-care. They are often overlooked as working nonstop is ironically the easiest path for more production, especially with the mainstream media promoting such a path. However, as a creative, I have learned to prioritize ‘pause and learn’ mentality for novel ideas built on top of recharged capacity. Valuable ideas do not usually happen at desks, but in fruitful conversations, relaxing baths and nice strolls in the park. Ideas that were dormant during the heated moments to meet deadlines resurface when I cool down and face other dimensions of reality.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As an architectural designer and a project manager at a fashion company, I work mainly on opening European stores. I take on multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines, which is made possible by having concept designs already set in place for designing new floor plans. I’m constantly learning about the nuances of construction and project management and how design integrates with business strategy. I find it particularly intriguing to collaborate with teams across different countries and regions, which allows me to understand the different factors that come into play such as regional material availability, building regulations, and how my design can reflect on the Ralph Lauren brand image. One of the most crucial aspects to design, in my opinion, is understanding and empathizing with the end user, which I have grown in and honed through my current experience. Recently, I helped the architecture team to refine the Polo Children’s Wear brand and I’m looking to do more of that — curating new concepts to enhance the customer’s brand experience.
In addition to my job, I have been active in my hobby of content creation. I am currently working on my own projects that focus on bringing unique experiences to my audience on my platform through my interest in herbal medicine. Growing up, I watched my dad provide herbal medicine to his clients and saw firsthand the powerful healing effects of natural substances — I personally prefer to only take natural substances in my body and want to share that with my audience as well. Working on this in my spare time fuels me and allows me to explore my creativity outside of architectural design. I am currently in the process of brainstorming and developing my ideas, I will let you know when my plans are ready to be brought to life!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Effective communication and the ability to connect with diverse groups of people has been a key factor in shaping my journey as a creative. Through interactions with older generations, professionals from different fields, and individuals with varying financial backgrounds, I have been able to broaden my perspective and gain valuable feedback on my ideas.
First, actively seek out opportunities to communicate with people who are different from you to develop this skill. Second, in addition to communication, learn to effectively present yourself and your unique knowledge. This means being able to articulate your profession and what sets you apart from others, as well as showcasing your skills and past projects through a website or portfolio. Lastly, carry yourself in a way that attracts others and makes them want to speak with you. This includes utilizing your surroundings and presenting yourself in a confident and approachable manner.
Remember that everyone has something valuable to offer and don’t be afraid to speak up and share your own unique perspective. These are some practical tips that I wish I had known earlier in my career.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
My expertise lies in creating memorable experiences that foster human connections through shared interests. I’m a firm believer in the power of collaboration with like-minded individuals from diverse professions to create uniquely impactful experiences that bring people together. My portfolio includes work such as designing a signature product for an established restaurant, developing a cohesive branding strategy for a jazz conservatory and how it might translate into spaces, and working with commercial realtors on proposal presentations to enhance the customer experience through design in a newly built building in New York.
I’m eager to explore potential collaborations that could be mutually beneficial. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] to learn more about what I can bring to the table or to discuss any partnership opportunities. You can also view my previous work at howhannah.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://howhannah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahykwon/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howhannah/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HOWHANNAH
