We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Eun Ji Kim about their original and creative Web Design design work. Eun Ji Kim is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original web design works.
Eun Ji Kim ("EJK") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Made Home Web Design. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
EJK : Made Home is designed as a digital marketplace highlighting NYC local food artisans by combining e-commerce with storytelling. The core principle is to offer a clear, engaging, and accessible platform that showcases the craftsmanship and unique qualities of homemade products. The design draws inspiration from community-driven marketplaces and aims to connect small-scale makers with broader audiences through an intuitive and visually rich experience.
EJK : The main focus was to create an intuitive and visually engaging platform that makes discovering and purchasing local homemade food products easy and enjoyable. The design aimed to balance functionality with storytelling to highlight each artisan's unique offerings. Ultimately, the goal was to foster a stronger connection between consumers and small-scale food makers by enhancing accessibility and user experience.
EJK : Future plans include expanding the platform's features to support broader categories of handmade goods and integrating more community engagement tools. There is also a focus on enhancing personalization and scalability to better serve both artisans and consumers, ensuring the design remains adaptable for evolving user needs and market trends.
EJK : The design process took several months, allowing for thorough research, user testing, and iterative refinement to ensure the platform met accessibility and usability goals.
EJK : This design was self-initiated, inspired by the need to provide small-scale food artisans with a platform that connects them to wider audiences. The concept emerged from observing gaps in existing marketplaces and the desire to create a more engaging, community-focused digital experience.
EJK : The design is currently a conceptual project and is not yet produced or used by any company. There are no immediate plans to sell or lease production rights, but the concept remains open for future development or collaboration.
EJK : The design was motivated by the desire to support local food artisans and address the lack of dedicated digital platforms that effectively showcase their craftsmanship. This type of work allows for blending e-commerce with storytelling to elevate the visibility of small-scale producers within their communities.
EJK : The design drew inspiration from community-focused marketplaces and platforms that emphasize storytelling alongside commerce. While no specific designer was directly referenced, the project was influenced by trends in user-centered design that prioritize accessibility, clarity, and engaging visuals.
EJK : The target users are consumers interested in locally made, artisanal food products, as well as small-scale food artisans seeking an accessible platform to showcase and sell their goods. The design aims to serve both parties by facilitating discovery, engagement, and purchase within a community-driven marketplace.
EJK : Made Home integrates storytelling with e-commerce to emphasize the unique craftsmanship of local artisans. Its focus on intuitive navigation, curated visual presentation, and accessibility creates a seamless user experience that fosters community connection beyond simple transactions.
EJK : The name Made Home reflects the focus on handmade, locally crafted food products that originate from home kitchens and small artisan workshops. It conveys the idea of authenticity, craftsmanship, and community rooted in local production.
EJK : The design was primarily created using Figma, which facilitated interface design, prototyping, and collaboration.
EJK : The most unique aspect of the design is its seamless integration of e-commerce functionality with immersive storytelling that highlights individual artisans and their handcrafted products. Vendors can showcase their products to a diverse customer base, while customers can explore a wide variety of products within a single platform. This combination fosters community connection and authenticity in a digital marketplace.
EJK : The design was developed independently under the guidance of a senior portfolio class professor who provided mentorship and feedback throughout the process. Additionally, multiple rounds of revisions and refinements were made to improve the concept.
EJK : Technology serves as the foundation for creating an accessible and user-friendly digital marketplace. It enables seamless e-commerce transactions, supports dynamic visual content, and facilitates intuitive navigation, ensuring a smooth interaction between users and the platform.
EJK : The design process included research on user behavior and preferences related to online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms. Insights were also drawn from interactions with farmers market vendors, whose practices and community focus inspired aspects of the platform. Analysis of community-driven sites and user interaction patterns informed decisions on navigation, visual hierarchy, and content presentation to enhance accessibility and engagement.
EJK : One of the main challenges was balancing a visually rich storytelling experience with clear and efficient e-commerce functionality. Ensuring intuitive navigation while maintaining engaging content required multiple design iterations. Additionally, representing diverse artisans and products fairly within a cohesive layout posed a challenge. Limited access to firsthand stories from vendors restricted the ability to fully incorporate authentic user narratives
EJK : I submitted the design to an international competition to challenge myself and see how the concept would be received outside my usual environment. It was also an opportunity to gain experience and feedback that could help me grow as a designer.
EJK : During the design process, I improved my ability to balance storytelling with functionality in digital platforms. I gained experience in creating clear navigation while maintaining engaging visual elements. This project was one of the ones where I invested significant time specifically on the visual design, which strengthened my skills in user-centered design and iterative refinement based on feedback.
EJK : This project emphasized the importance of connecting local artisans with their communities through digital means. While the concept focuses on e-commerce, it also aims to preserve and share the stories behind each product, which I believe adds meaningful value beyond simple transactions.
