In this blog post, I’ll focus on the academic experiences, school activities, and collaborative projects I gained while studying visual design at a specialized high school.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

Artistic creativity stems from imitation.
While attending a specialized high school that offered a visual design program, I frequently took art practice classes starting in my freshman year. Although I also took theory classes, the nature of the school meant that practical classes took up more of my schedule. During those foundational courses, rather than immediately incorporating my own unique ideas, I primarily focused on building a solid foundation by imitating works from art history. By studying the works of well-known artists such as Gauguin, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Picasso, and Michelangelo, and repeatedly practicing reproducing them exactly, I mastered composition and modes of expression.
I felt a particular affinity for Van Gogh’s works and made a conscious effort to imitate them frequently. Works such as ‘Starry Night’, ‘Café Terrace at Night’, ‘Self-Portrait’, ‘Van Gogh’s Bedroom’, ‘Sunflowers’, and ‘The Avenue of the Cypresses’ were a great source of inspiration for me, and I would sketch these works on canvas and try to reproduce them as closely as possible using the same coloring techniques and materials. I noticed my skills improving—the more I copied a single work, the more accurately I could render it.
At first, I wondered what the point of simple imitation was. I thought that even a slight change in coloring or sketching style might turn it into a parody, but my art teacher explained that there were essential elements I needed to master through the process of copying in the early stages. In fact, it was a great help in learning composition, perspective, and three-dimensional expression. The expressive techniques I developed by copying Impressionist artists went on to influence my entire body of work, and the characteristics I imitated in the early stages became part of my own style. Later, I strove to build upon that foundation by adding creative ideas and new forms of expression to develop my work into meaningful pieces.

Major School Activities and Reflections

Hanji Craft Making and Entrepreneurship Education
While studying at a specialized high school with majors in art and life sciences, the school encouraged club activities through programs supporting entrepreneurship and employment. I joined the traditional crafts club, where I learned design techniques using various traditional materials and patterns, with a focus on hanji crafts. Hanji comes in a wide variety of types and has a broad range of applications, so I often lost track of time while immersing myself in my work.
Initially, I engaged in activities such as developing traditional patterns by hand and applying them through coloring or dyeing techniques, as well as working with fabric. Later, I began transferring my designs to computer graphics, which allowed for more intricate work, and I developed my ideas further by sharing my designs with club members. Designs that passed the final review were evaluated for their feasibility in actual products before moving on to the production stage.
Hanji is thin yet strong and durable, making it versatile enough for use in everything from everyday items to interior decor and furniture. I applied hanji to various products, including tissue holders, sewing kits, jewelry boxes, hand mirrors, tablecloths, tea sets, and lamp designs. I particularly enjoyed using hanji in small lanterns and mood lights, as I found the effect of soft light diffusing through the paper captivating. I experimented with contrasting different materials and hanji colors, taking into account the color of the light and the formation of shadows, in an effort to create the most beautiful lamp designs.
Since I planned my products with sales in mind from the very beginning, I developed the habit of considering the consumer’s perspective right from the production stage. For example, when making a jewelry box, my choice of colors and patterns differed depending on whether it was intended for personal use or for sale. For external events, I participated in the “Korea Creative Experience Festival” and the “Craft Design Exhibition,” where I submitted my portfolio, obtained permission to display my work, and gained experience communicating directly with the public. I refined my work through repeated exhibitions, and our club’s entry was selected as an outstanding piece at the “Become a Student CEO Startup Competition,” winning the Gold Award.

Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections

Creating a Model for Interior Space Design
I began working on my graduation project during my senior year of high school. Although graduation projects could be completed individually, most students chose to work in teams, considering the evaluation criteria and the scale of the project. I teamed up with friends to create a model for interior space design. In addition to facilities for two-dimensional projects, our school had spaces equipped for three-dimensional work, so we frequently gathered there to design architectural models, create props, and refurbish interior decor items.
The first step in model-making was defining the purpose and concept. We held numerous meetings to coordinate our opinions and work toward a single direction. Ultimately, we agreed on the theme of “A New Office Space” and set our goal to create an office space that was comfortable, practical, and aesthetically pleasing—one that was difficult to distinguish from a living space. After completing the initial design, we used computer graphics to create a digital model and determine the scale and details of the physical model.
During the model-building process, we utilized simple rebar structures, plastic, and silicone to ensure professional-quality results. When necessary, we used a 3D printer to print partitions to create walls and stairs. We enhanced the model’s realism by crafting small interior accessories and furniture ourselves and placing them within the model.
The completed model received high praise at the graduation project exhibition and had the honor of being displayed in the school’s exhibition space. Above all, I formed strong bonds with the friends I worked with, and as we later prepared for college admissions together, I learned the sense of responsibility and coordination skills that come from collaborating with others toward a common goal.