Seoul-based Shrimp Chung’s dynamic designs are bright and full of impact

Seoul-based graphic designer Shrimp Chung became intrigued by design after playing “tons of computer games and surfing the internet” as a child. The digital world for Shrimp seemed unlimited and unrestricted by boundaries unlike the physical world. “I was fascinated by the concept of being able to manipulate all visual materials and create my own world within the screen through graphics tools,” she explains. “In my early teens I used Photoshop to make photographic collages and moving images. Later I went on to study visual communications at university and have been working in it ever since.”

Adopting a bold, dynamic, straightforward approach to her work, Shrimp uses limited colour palettes and focuses on particular shapes to “convey messages simply”, while creating maximum impact. Her designs are often used in editorial commissions and posters for music-related events, where she aims to “directly reveal the mood and feeling of the music”, often by adding in moving parts that flicker and slide. “I also place importance on where my designs are used and where I can empower,” explains the designer. “So participating in events related to feminism has also become a significant part of my work. When I can contribute to bringing the voices I support to an audience, my affection for the work becomes stronger.”

Whether it’s designing a poster for a women in graphic design event or a club night in Seoul, the message is key for Shrimp and she constantly rethinks how she is able to interpret and communicate information. “It is important to continue to move with new technology and think about what things will be consumed in the near future to ensure design work is contemporary,” she explains. “I am very interested in what will appear and disappear, and throwing myself into ambiguity and developing my aesthetic is always a challenge.”