Chaeha Cindy Kim

Feeling uncertainty about your place in the room as a junior creative is a common story. For graphic designer Cindy, it was a case of realizing that building confidence takes time, and that curiosity and a willingness to learn are more important than having it all figured out. Below, Cindy shares her tips for reaching out to creatives you admire, and why they’re more likely to respond than you might think.

About my work

My creative practice
I'm a graphic designer based in New York. I help shape visual identities and create thoughtful brand experiences through design and art direction, bringing ideas to life.

Influences and inspiration
As a designer still early in my career, I find that my greatest source of inspiration comes from the people around me. Being surrounded by talented friends, coworkers and a supportive creative community reminds me that design is a collaborative practice. The team at Something Special Studios constantly inspires me to look at problems from new perspectives, take creative risks, and continue growing as both a designer and thinker.

My training
Studying Graphic Design at Pratt Institute gave me the space to explore ideas with curiosity and think beyond the expected. It was also where I found my creative community in New York, building meaningful connections with inspiring professors and classmates who continue to shape the way I approach design.

Favourite recent project
My favorite personal project is my thesis, Project Youth, which gave me the freedom to explore an idea I deeply cared about through art direction, motion design, photography and a self-published zine. The project reflects on youth, emotional vulnerability and the uncertainty of stepping into adulthood through projection-mapped visuals and live performance.

'Project Youth'

My favorite collaborative project was creating the visual identity for Yves Saint Laurent Beauty's Love 24/7 pop-up in SoHo with the team at Mazarine. We developed the concept from the ground up, imagining what a YSL Beauty New York City bodega could look and feel like, and then translating that idea into an immersive brand experience.

A day in the life
Coffee, banana, train, design, repeat. After work, I tell myself I'll journal... sometimes I do, sometimes my couch wins.

A starter pack for my job:

How I got here

Starting my creative journey
I'm still very much in the process of finding my feet. When I was starting out, I said yes to as many creative opportunities as I could because I wasn't quite sure what kind of designer I wanted to become. I just wanted to learn, try new things and figure out what excited me.

Even though I was studying art in New York City, I often felt lost. I spent a lot of time comparing myself to incredibly talented people around me and wondering where I fit in. Eventually, I realized that the only way I'd grow was by putting myself in rooms where I could learn from others. It was uncomfortable at times, but it taught me that asking questions, staying curious and being open to feedback is far more valuable than trying to have everything figured out.

Landing my first few jobs, clients and/or commissions
As a freshman, I started putting together a portfolio, even though I knew it wasn't perfect. I figured having something to share was better than waiting until it felt ready. From there, I made a list of studios, magazines, agencies and designers whose work genuinely inspired me. I reached out for coffee chats, asked questions, and cold emailed people simply because I was curious about their journey. Most emails never got a reply, but a few did, and those conversations eventually led me to my first design internship at V Magazine. Showing up consistently and being genuinely curious opened more doors than having a perfect portfolio ever could.

Biggest challenges along the way
Adjusting to the industry itself: starting new jobs, working with clients and learning how to navigate different situations were, and still are, all new experiences for me. There is always more to learn.

While learning software and design skills was challenging, developing the softer skills – like communicating clearly, sharing my ideas, and having confidence in my own work – was the hard part. As a junior designer, it can be easy to feel like you don't have enough experience or that you’re not bringing enough to the table. I’m learning to focus less on comparison and more on growing at my own pace. Confidence comes with time and experience.

Everyday skills I’ve found helpful for my creative work:
Making personal projects outside of my day-to-day work. As designers, it’s easy to put pressure on the “perfect” outcome, especially when you’re trying to meet client expectations. Sometimes that pressure can make it harder to experiment and trust your instincts. Personal projects give me a space to explore without overthinking and reconnect with why I enjoy creating in the first place.

My social media and self-promotion vibe is…
I used to feel like I had to only share work from bigger clients or projects that felt “impressive” enough. Over time, I’ve realized that sharing the work you genuinely care about is just as meaningful. Whether it’s a personal project, an experiment or something that may not feel perfect, if it reflects your interests and your creative journey, it’s worth sharing. Social media can be a space to document your growth, not just showcase the final results.

Three things I've found useful in my career:
I like to step away from the screen and experience art and design in person. It’s easy to constantly scroll through digital inspiration – which can be helpful – but I find that seeing books, exhibitions and artwork in real life allows me to discover in a different way. I enjoy visiting art book stores like Dashwood Books and Climax Books, and spaces like Swiss Institute, the International Center of Photography, New Museum and Gagosian. I always leave feeling inspired.

My greatest learnings when it comes to making money and supporting myself as a creative:
The journey doesn’t always look the way you expect it to. During college, I was balancing school, bills, part-time jobs, internships and freelance work, and it was not always easy. There were moments when I felt discouraged or ashamed that I couldn’t fully support myself through creative work alone. Over time, I learned that everyone has their own starting point; there is nothing wrong with the steps you need to take to build the future you want. Those experiences taught me patience and resilience, and to appreciate every opportunity.

Advice

My most useful career tips
Step outside of your comfort zone and be willing to put yourself out there. Reaching out to people and building genuine connections has taught me so much. I used to feel nervous about reaching out – and often I still do – because I didn’t want to bother people, but I learned that most people are happy to share their experiences and advice. 

Where I go to feel connected as a creative
Living in New York City, I feel really lucky to be surrounded by so many creative communities and events. I try to take advantage of that by keeping an eye out for talks, exhibitions and gatherings through social media. I especially enjoy designer talks, such as those hosted by It’s Nice That and Cooper Union – hearing about other creatives’ processes always gives me a fresh perspective. I also love smaller community events like Secret Riso Club and visiting art school thesis shows around the city, including Parsons, Pratt and SVA.

What I'd say to someone looking to get into a similar role
Stay curious and try things before you feel fully ready. Developing your taste and understanding what inspires you is just as valuable as learning technical skills. This can start small, like creating a Pinterest or Are.na board to collect things you love and slowly discover your perspective.