This blog post introduces the experiences and strengths an editorial designer should emphasize in their cover letter, along with strategies to showcase their design sensibility.
Growth Process
“A child who loved books and pictures”
I was a child who loved books and pictures from a young age. My parents ran a copy shop near a university for many years, and since our home was right nearby, I would always stop by their shop after school before heading home. Naturally, I observed the free-spirited mannerisms, speech, expressions, and every action of the college students up close. I grew up admiring the atmosphere and attitude they possessed. Especially during busy times like exam periods, I would help out at the shop every weekend with simple errands or tidying up, spending time with my parents.
The nature of the copy shop meant I frequently encountered a wide variety of printed materials—books, notebooks, reports, exam materials—belonging to countless university students. Looking at thick textbooks or densely packed summaries, I would vaguely imagine, ‘So this is what college life is like.’ At the same time, seeing how difficult the studies seemed, I gradually began preparing myself mentally for it from a young age.
However, while my parents hoped I would go to a more prestigious university farther away, I devoted more interest and time to drawing pictures or reading books than to studying. I especially loved books with clean covers and beautiful illustrations, or those with harmonious layouts of photos and images, rather than dense textbooks packed with text. No matter how well a photo was taken, how it was composed completely changed my interest in the book. I began paying as much attention to the ‘appearance of the book’ as to its content.
This interest naturally led to a hobby of borrowing old magazines from nearby cafes or beauty salons. Inspired by magazines adorned with stunning photos and stylish layouts, I created scrapbooks and even tried arranging our family photo albums at home to resemble magazines. One day, I gathered a friend’s photos to create a one-of-a-kind photo book as a gift, sharing the joy.
My parents recognized this personal hobby and aesthetic sense as a genuine ‘talent,’ allowing me to concretely envision my dream of becoming a designer from high school onward. Even as a high school student, I never stopped drawing. Before entering university, I became proficient in design programs like Photoshop, building solid skills in photo editing and image work.
Thus, I have a precious growth journey where experiences naturally accumulated in my parents’ shop during childhood, combined with a steadfast love for books and drawing, led me to the career path of a designer. I am grateful for every moment that shaped who I am today, and I wish to continue communicating with many people through designs that embody my unique sensibility and perspective.
School Life
“Studying the Fusion of Books and Art”
At university, I majored in Visual Design, learning a wide range of fields from product design to editorial design. Among these, I focused particularly on editorial design, which had interested me since childhood. This allowed me to deeply explore how design, books, and art could intersect.
Having a knack for making things by hand, I also took up leather crafting as a hobby during my school years. Although my major’s schedule was packed, preventing formal club activities, I voluntarily formed a leather crafting group with like-minded classmates and maintained consistent meetings. Thanks to a friend skilled in blogging, we could showcase our group online. During the school festival, we sold handmade leather accessories, earning modest profits and gaining a meaningful experience.
I also consistently participated in various design competitions, a common challenge for any design major. I actively engaged not only in submitting finished pieces but also in the entire process from brainstorming ideas to drafting proposals. While I did win awards, success wasn’t guaranteed every time. However, I valued enjoying the process and learning from the time spent preparing together more than fixating on the outcome. So, each time I prepared for a competition, I enjoyed the time itself spent exploring new themes and contemplating expression methods, broadening my design horizons.
Thus, throughout my university life, I discovered my own potential through diverse attempts and experiences within the framework of design. It was a journey of finding the intersection between books and art, practicality and creativity, and that process became the precious foundation that shaped who I am today.
Strengths and Weaknesses
“Creativity and Sense of Responsibility”
I possess a strong sense of responsibility and a meticulous nature. When immersed in a project, I often lose track of time, forgetting even to use the restroom or eat meals while focusing intently on my work. This dedication stems from the belief that each piece I create is presented to others under my name, driving me to always strive for excellence and deliver the best possible work. I consider my name synonymous with the credibility of my work, so I take the accompanying responsibility seriously. I approach every task meticulously, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Additionally, I possess exceptional creativity. I often come up with clever, unconventional ideas that sometimes seem outlandish, breaking away from established norms. This creativity is a significant asset not only in my artistic practice but also in daily life. In my work, it drives me to produce distinctive results, and when interacting with others, it manifests as a sense of humor that brightens and lightens the mood. Observing people in the arts, many tend to be either calm or somewhat eccentric; I definitely lean more towards the latter.
My responsible approach combined with creative expression creates positive synergy in both my work and interpersonal relationships. Building on these unique strengths, I aim to continue growing and consistently produce enjoyable, meaningful results.
Career Experience
“From Children’s Publications to Middle/High School Textbooks”
After graduating from university, I began my career as an editorial designer at ○○ Academy Co., Ltd., a publishing company. My primary responsibility was the editorial design of learning materials for high school students. This role allowed me to master the fundamental structure and workflow of educational material design. Once familiar with the overall framework of textbook production, I began exploring various approaches to create designs that differentiated our materials from competitors. Moving beyond merely visually appealing designs, I pursued both efficiency and aesthetic completeness. This involved focusing on layouts with comfortable, fresh color usage and excellent readability to ensure information was conveyed effectively.
Later, as the company expanded its scope beyond middle and high school textbooks to include early childhood educational materials, I naturally began working on the editorial design for these young learners. Throughout this project, I frequently visited children’s libraries whenever possible, striving to understand how content for actual children should be structured. I continuously researched the most crucial design points for early childhood materials, analyzing various books to derive concepts and progressing through the planning stages. This process brought me great satisfaction as I discovered the visual language suited to the purpose and age group of the educational content. The resulting designs successfully combined practicality and creativity.
Reason for Joining and Aspirations
“I will become an editorial designer who further illuminates Kyowon’s legacy.”
Good concepts and creative ideas offer consumers a highly polished visual experience that transcends mere information. I believe the importance of design elements is particularly emphasized in educational content, as impactful design plays a crucial role in enhancing learning interest and comprehension. Beyond merely pleasing aesthetics, editorial design that effectively reveals the essence of the content is a core value in educational publishing.
I have worked as an editorial designer at ○○ Academy Co., Ltd. for four years, producing a wide range of educational publications. I gained design experience across a broad spectrum, from children’s textbooks to learning materials for middle and high school students. Notably, during the design renewal project for a high school entrance exam preparation series, I led comprehensive planning and created a sophisticated design that resulted in a 16% increase in sales after publication. This process reaffirmed my belief that design is not merely a ‘supporting role’ but a ‘core means’ that enhances the value of content.
With a firm sense of purpose, I aim to align myself with Kyowon’s vision through a passionate and proactive approach. Brands like Red Pen, Kumon Learning, and Kyowon Complete Collection are names I’ve been familiar with since childhood, and they continue to command strong trust in the education market today. This deep connection means I resonate with both the path Kyowon has walked and the direction it is heading, and I possess the passion to contribute to that journey as a designer.
Leveraging my practical experience, artistic sensibility, and design mindset attuned to the consumer’s perspective, I aim to breathe fresh vitality into Kyowon’s publications. Beyond merely visually appealing designs, I will drive Kyowon’s growth through strategic editorial design that enhances reader engagement and elevates brand value. As a designer who understands the consumer’s heart, I aspire to become a partner in shaping Kyowon’s future.
