We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Jiwon Jung about their original and creative Wish Gift Package design work. Jiwon Jung is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original wish gift package works.
Jiwon Jung ("JJ") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Pass Train Wish Gift Package. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
JJ : Pass Train is a gift package design inspired by Korea’s cultural tradition of supporting loved ones before pivotal moments such as important exams or interviews. It incorporates the symbolic meaning of glutinous rice cakes—often gifted with the phrase “stick to your goal”—and the visual metaphor of a train heading toward a destination, turning the recipient into a passenger embarking on a hopeful journey.
JJ : The core focus was to translate emotional support into a tactile experience. Rather than simply wrapping a product, I designed a moment—a gift that becomes a journey of encouragement. The goal was to make the recipient feel understood, supported, and empowered through Korea’s gift-giving culture and an intuitive, structural storytelling format.
JJ : Although I don’t have a current collaboration plan, I intend to further develop the concept by integrating transport-inspired structures and positive messaging. My vision is to craft packaging that delivers emotional support beyond materiality—offering designs that act as messengers of goodwill and shared humanity.
JJ : The project spanned about 4–5 weeks. I first conducted research into cultural motifs and emotional behaviors around gift-giving. The following weeks were dedicated to developing the structural system, exploring color psychology, prototyping, and validating the concept with use-case simulations.
JJ : It was a self-initiated project inspired by personal experience. I grew up receiving and giving these traditional gifts and have personally gifted glutinous rice cakes to someone I deeply cared about before a major life event. I wanted to reinterpret that moment of warmth using a modern structural and visual language.
JJ : The design is not in commercial production, nor is it being reviewed for commercialization at the moment. However, I plan to continue creating new packaging projects with similar emotional narratives and visual storytelling, as part of my creative development.
JJ : I was particularly drawn to the symbolic nature of trains—movement, journey, and direction—which naturally parallels the emotional passage through challenges like exams or interviews. Trains embody momentum and hope, and I saw them as the perfect vehicle to embody a narrative of encouragement.
JJ : I took reference from vintage Korean train tickets, traditional good-luck gifts, and signage systems found in local railway stations. The visual language and structural form of the train, however, were developed independently based on cultural intuition and symbolic analysis.
JJ : Though rooted in Korean culture, the design targets anyone globally who wishes to convey support and encouragement to someone facing a challenge. From parents and teachers to friends and colleagues, Pass Train offers a symbolic and emotionally resonant way to say, “I believe in you.”
JJ : Pass Train goes beyond surface visuals. It builds a structural narrative: the locomotive main box, passenger-car sub-packages, and a symbolic ticket card together form a journey. The color-coded sets—Passion, Cheer, Full Score, Jackpot—are connected to emotional cues, allowing visuals and sentiment to work in harmony.
JJ : “Pass Train” carries a dual meaning—referring to a train passing by and the act of passing an exam or challenge. Like boarding a train to your goal, the name is symbolic and globally intuitive. It transforms the packaging into an emotional vehicle that resonates with both intent and direction.
JJ : I used Adobe Illustrator as my primary tool. It allowed me to precisely draft folding layouts, structural blueprints, and color variations. Its simulation and precision tools were critical in bridging aesthetic form with realistic functionality, especially in prototyping.
JJ : The modular train-based structure is its most unique feature. The main locomotive box connects with sub-packages shaped like passenger cars. Each module can stand alone or work as part of a cohesive train, and the detachable handle enhances portability, making the unboxing feel like boarding a journey.
JJ : I consulted with a graduate professor for feedback on structure and feasibility. Additionally, I conducted a small-scale survey to gather input on naming and direction, using those responses to align the design with real user needs and expectations.
JJ : Though it appears tactile and handcrafted, the design relied heavily on digital prototyping. I used simulation tools to ensure balance, structure, and harmony in layout and color. The digital process ensured that the final product would look emotionally rich while being practically manufacturable.
JJ : Yes. I researched Korea’s cultural symbolism around gifting, the semantics of train travel, and color psychology. I also observed behaviors around seasonal gift-giving to define user needs, ensuring that the final design would align with emotional and cultural expectations.
JJ : Balancing visual storytelling with structural logic was a challenge. I had to ensure the train-like composition was stable in form and meaningful in sequence. Adjusting proportions and fine-tuning the unboxing flow required multiple rounds of testing and refine
JJ : Pass Train tells a story of shared emotion using form, color, and narrative. I felt it could speak across cultures. A’ Design Award’s respect for storytelling, structural creativity, and cultural identity made it the perfect platform to share this project.
JJ : I developed the ability to visualize emotions and messages through form. Learning how to deliver meaning through design without relying on text taught me the power of shape, tactility, and symbolism. I also deepened my understanding of intuitive design that is both empathetic and bold.
JJ : Pass Train is more than a package—it’s a symbolic gesture of belief. In moments when words fall short, the form becomes a language of support. My hope is that it becomes a meaningful object for moments of encouragement, celebrating quiet rituals and sincere emotion across generations and borders.
