Passion, not just effort, drives book design success: award-winning designer

Kim Kyung-min, a book designer and design team leader at Saenggakuihim, has been recognized with the '2023 Publisher of the Year - Design Division' award by the Korean Publishers Association. This accolade celebrates her role in opening possibilities for "storytelling designers" through her work and her recently published book, 'Everyday, Book Design,' which chronicles her experiences and growth in the field.

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Passion is ultimately what can overcome effort. Once I developed a passion for books, my design speed really picked up.

Kim's design philosophy centers on "dedication without display." She believes that overly showcasing one's effort can make a design appear unsophisticated. Her role, as she sees it, is to "quietly assist the reader in fully focusing on the content." This approach was solidified when a simple comment from an editor about a Sherlock Holmes book, "I'd like a lyrical feel", transformed her design process. Previously focused on making covers "pretty or fun," she began considering the desired emotional impact, leading to a successful and well-received book.

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My work is about quietly assisting the reader in fully focusing on the content.

Her journey into book design wasn't immediate. Initially unsure about her career path after studying publishing design, pivotal moments, like seeing her designed book in the hands of a stranger on the subway or a friend cherishing a book she designed during a difficult time, reaffirmed her commitment. Having worked on over 300 books, including the bestseller 'What Are Cities Made Of?', Kim now sees herself as a "book enthusiast" surrounded by books. She asserts that "passion ('deoksim') is ultimately what can overcome effort," noting a significant acceleration in her design speed once this passion for books ignited.

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I wanted to show that there are people who have been doing this for a long time, even without a mentor, even if they doubt their own skills, even if it doesn't look cool to others. I wanted to convey the message, 'If I could do it, you can too.'

Despite her extensive experience, Kim chooses to remain an in-house designer rather than a freelancer. This decision stems from her desire to maintain a structured life rhythm, working within "a set place and set time." Beyond design, she values a multifaceted life, engaging in writing, language study, library volunteering, and a project called 'Your Diary, Written by Me,' which encourages empathy by having participants write from another's perspective. She aspires to be a person who "expands into more enjoyable and positive areas" and "positively influences someone" in the process.

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I don't want a life that's just about design. I believe we must live as diverse human beings in a new era.