On April 11, 2025, a special seminar at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine Research Building (COMRB) featuring Professor Sung Jang centered around “Life as an International Student and Design.” The event offered a candid look into his journey of balancing practicality and artistic vision in his design career. Professor Jang shared his early experiences moving to the U.S. as a teenager, navigating the tension between his parents’ hopes for academic achievement and his desire to pursue art. From what seemed like a bold leap into the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) to the challenges of studying abroad in Milan at Domus Academy, his story resonated deeply with many international students in attendance. Particularly inspiring was the turning point in his career when he co-founded a design lab with a close Italian-American friend. This unexpected encounter became a pivotal moment in his professional path.
In the latter half of the seminar, Professor Jang introduced one of his recent major works, the Shape of Land series, and explained its conceptual foundation. Inspired by traditional Korean world maps from the Joseon Dynasty, architectural elements from Hanok, and the contours of Korean landscapes, the project explores themes such as identity, memory, and the human relationship with nature. He emphasized that design, in his view, is not just a visual outcome but a result of observation and reflection. One particularly memorable anecdote involved his recollection of memorizing mountain ranges in elementary school social studies. This seemingly trivial task later helped him understand the deep-rooted naturalism in Korean culture. It was a powerful reminder that even mundane childhood memories can evolve into meaningful design insights.
During the Q&A session, various topics were discussed, including career planning, the realities of international student life, and the impact of generative AI on design. Professor Jang stressed the importance of not fixating on a single goal in life but instead exploring multiple paths and maintaining flexibility when facing obstacles “going with the flow.” Drawing from his own experience, he gave practical advice on overcoming challenges such as loneliness, uncertainty, and visa issues as an international student. He encouraged attendees not to wait until they feel “fully ready” but to take the initiative now, as the action often creates opportunities. After the event, Professor Jang joined the SAIC/UIC KSA board members and the President and Vice President of the KSEA Chicago Chapter for dinner, where more informal conversations continued. The group discussed his student years and artistic philosophy in greater depth, making it a meaningful conclusion to the evening.
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