Interview Series: Jiyoung Park

At Jefferson University, we have a wealth of student-led creativity and innovation. Add to that a strong sense of design, fundamental knowledge of textile structures, and an astute understanding of color, and you've got a typical Textile Design student. We will be periodically using this space to highlight students work, progress, and achievement. The first in our Interview Series is Jiyoung Park, a grad student focusing on weaving. She'll be graduating this December, so make sure to see her graduate show on Dec 13th, 2019 at the Paley Design Center.

How did you choose Textile Design as a major?

My family, all majored in textiles, had a huge influence on me to choose a textile design major. As I grew up, I was always surrounded by textile art at home and played with yarns. So, unconsciously, textiles have been my favorite material. This got me into a textile design program in my undergraduate. Thanks to my professor who graduated from Philau/Jefferson University about 20 years ago, he strongly supported me studying abroad this university. This is how I got to know our textile program in Philau/Jefferson, and I am really enjoying studying here.

Who are your design heroes?

My design hero is Iris Van Herpen, a Dutch fashion designer. I am really interested in materiality, and she is well known for her use of materiality, using high-technology. When I see her fashion, it’s like just art pieces. I always keep watching her new collection.

Tell us about the colors, landscapes, artists, or architecture that inspire your design work.

The fashion designer, Iris Van Herpen, has influenced my work. She is well known as one of the most talented and forward-thinking creators. I like her trying to push the boundaries of fashion design. The way she uses materials, both traditional and the most radical materials with high technology gives me a lot of inspiration. I always think the innovation stems from combining creativity and new technology with new material.

What is your favorite class, and why?

My favorite class was weave tech 2. The class is really technical, all about science and math base. In that class, we analyze woven samples and figure out structures. Also, we are taught how to calculate a precise number of the warp and filling yarn with different yarn size and its properties and finishing. I think every technology classes, Weave, Knit, Print Technology 1 & 2 are outstanding courses in Jefferson because not many schools teach this really technical work this deeply. I think it’s because of the long textile history in our school. Even the name of our degree is a Master of Science in Textile Design.

What advice would you give an incoming student into the Textile Design department?

I would say our textile program is really based on industrial textile, not textile art. Our program is good for students who want to get into the industry. For example, for a master’s program, many students have a background of fine art. They already have an artistic perspective which is very important for creativity, and they come to our program to learn technical aspect to translate and visualize their creativity onto textiles. Thus, what I want to say for an incoming student is that you should think about what you want to be first, and understand our university’s characteristic to see that’s fit into your final goal.

What surprised you the most about Textile Design at Philau/Jefferson?

I was surprised by the textile equipment Philau/Jefferson have. To be specific in weaving, we have several floor-looms and an AVL loom, many computer-aided 24harness dobby looms and 3 different industrial jacquard looms, which is the main reason to come into this program. Before coming into this university, I looked into lots of university’s program to see their equipment, but not many universities have this many jacquard machines. This really matters to me. Because I think having knowledge of different equipment will give me better chance to get a job.

Jiyoung's Design Statement:

Reflection and Refraction of Light Light is a magician which creates beauty in the world and has the power to evoke emotions.

Light always exists, but we cannot see light itself. The existence of light can be observed only when the phenomenon of reflection and refraction occurs on an object. This occurrence not only helps people see the world, but also it creates randomly intriguing visual beauty around us such as rainbows on the sky, water caustics, distorted shadow in a glass cup, and shimmering light at the darkness. but it usually overlooked if you are not aware of it.
         In addition, for a very long time, humans have felt an emotional response to the phenomenon of light. Since the Middle Ages, it was the time when the notion of light has extended from a supplementary role in which light only illuminates objects to perceive a phenomenon to religious ideas in which people understood light as the presence of God or the Word of God. For example, darkness is considered ominous, while lightness is auspicious.
This collection is inspired by both visual and emotional aspects of the phenomenon of reflection and refraction of light through a personal perspective. The visual inspiration started from a stay at home. Irregularly drawn shinny pattern was found on the wall created by the refraction of light, infusing through windowpanes. as well as, curious, mystical, and reminiscence emotion was evoked. Thus, both visual and emotion from the phenomenon was translated into woven textile collections.
The purpose of this thesis collection is to study emotional textiles with the concept of the phenomenon of light, by reminding viewers of the beauty that always exist around them, but easily overlooked due to busyness of everyday life, as well as by causing emotional engagement through the textiles.

You can see more of Jiyoung's work on her Instagram account. Follow her at @designmiso.