You Jeong Hwang (Bella Hwang): Warrior, Fire, Circle
UXUI Designer
by Elizabeth Lavis
|30 Oct 2024
You Jeong Hwang, also known as Bella Hwang, can describe her design philosophy in three words: warrior, fire, and circular. “When I work, I work passionately like a warrior,” Hwang says. I’m on fire, and I can do anything if I have passion and dreams. Just as many angles come together to form one circle, I can gather many small achievements and efforts to create a big circle.”
Hwang, a student and Creative UXUI Builder from Seoul, South Korea, is currently attending the School of Visual Arts in New York. She credits her Korean roots with inspiring her and giving her a keen eye for trends. “Korea is trendy and artistic,” she says. The streets are full of different types of entertainment, which allows me to keep up with trends artistically.”
As a child, Hwang wanted to be an automobile designer, but her focus shifted as she grew older. “I became interested in graphics, and now I like to solve people’s problems,” she says. “That’s why I chose UXUI design as my career path.”
She graduated from Duksung Women’s University in South Korea as a communication design major, then headed to New York’s School of Visual Arts to get more exposure and stretch her design muscles. “I am currently working as an Interaction Design Intern at the School of Visual Arts,” Hwang says. “My bosses are really friendly and tell me a lot about American life. They also give meticulous feedback, and because of them, I’m more passionate about design and enjoying happy days.”
"Bee My Hive", Bella Hwang
Hwang’s goal is to contribute to a more sustainable society and create products that are universally helpful. She keeps a visual collection of inspirational signs and advertisements that she refers to as her ‘art encyclopedias.’ “These little art encyclopedias inspire me and give me interesting ideas when I struggle with design work,” Hwang says.
In addition to the creative aspect of design, functionality is essential for Hwang. “I empathize with people, understand them, and fix things that people are uncomfortable with, she says. “I also sympathize with marginalized people and try to create a sustainable society where everyone can live well.” Hwang also draws inspiration from her mentors, including Professor Sebastian Huynh. “He helped me enter the world of UXUI last year, taught me about people’s experiences with the medium, and how to solve problems for people,” she says. Hwang also noted that Professor Huynh went above and beyond for his students. “Thanks to him, I continue to grow as a designer,” she says.
Hwang also notes how other design professionals balance work and downtime well. “They are meticulous and strict with their work, but their lives are colorful and free,” she says. “This attitude inspires me a lot. I want to live professionally and freely like them.”
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