I'm So-Young Hong, a UI/UX and graphic designer with leadership experience. I lead design teams and create cohesive design systems, dashboards, icons, and branding across web and print. I value collaboration and deliver innovative solutions. With experience across South Korea and New Zealand, I blend user-centered UX with strong visual storytelling, turning complex data into accessible visuals and campaigns.

So-Young Hong

I'm So-Young Hong, a UI/UX and graphic designer with leadership experience. I lead design teams and create cohesive design systems, dashboards, icons, and branding across web and print. I value collaboration and deliver innovative solutions. With experience across South Korea and New Zealand, I blend user-centered UX with strong visual storytelling, turning complex data into accessible visuals and campaigns.

Available to hire

I’m So-Young Hong, a UI/UX and graphic designer with leadership experience. I lead design teams and create cohesive design systems, dashboards, icons, and branding across web and print. I value collaboration and deliver innovative solutions.

With experience across South Korea and New Zealand, I blend user-centered UX with strong visual storytelling, turning complex data into accessible visuals and campaigns.

See more

Language

English
Advanced
Korean
Fluent

Work Experience

UI Designer & Team Lead at Wxxxxx, IT Monitoring Solution
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2025
Led UX/UI design team, delivering cohesive and innovative solutions. UI design, icons, design system, facility equipment design, topology map design, custom dashboards. Web coding (SCSS). Collaborative teamwork.
Graphic Designer at Modern Building Products
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018
Created print and digital designs for branding, ads, and websites. Delivered high-quality work on time, exceeding expectations. Stayed updated on design trends and software for innovation. Responsive web design.
Graphic Designer at Missha Cosmetics
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2014
Delivered high-volume retail posters, ads, and campaign materials.
Graphic Designer at The Korea Post
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
Designed ads, page layouts, and promotional content for community magazine.
Graphic Designer at KR
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010
Designed ads, page layouts, and promotional content for newspapers.
UI Designer & Team Lead at Watchtek, IT Monitoring Solution
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2025
Led UX/UI design team, delivering cohesive and innovative solutions; UI design, icons, design system, topology map design, facility equipment design, custom dashboards; Web coding (SCSS); Collaborative teamwork
Graphic Designer at Korea Review
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010
Designed ads, page layouts, and promotional content for newspapers

Education

Diploma of Computer Graphic Design, Level 6 at Auckland University of Technology
January 11, 2030 - December 1, 2025
Certificate in at Natcoll Design Technology (now Yoobee)
April 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
BBus (International Business) at Massey University
March 1, 2015 - December 31, 2025
International Business (BBus) at Massey University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2025
Certificate in English for Academic Study at Massey University
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
Diploma of Computer Graphic Design, Level 6 at Auckland University of Technology
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
Diploma at Natcoll Design Technology (now Yoobee)
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025

Qualifications

Certificate in English for Academic Study
January 11, 2030 - December 2, 2025
International Business (BBus)
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2025

Industry Experience

Computers & Electronics, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Retail, Education, Professional Services
    uniE621 Trifold Brochure
    Date: Sep 2016 Client: MBP In-house Design Tool(s): Indesign/Photoshop graphicdesigner designer
    paper International Airport Security & Operations Dashboards

    (Image unavailable for security reasons)

    Project Background
    To support 24/7 uninterrupted operations, the airport required a unified dashboard system that could integrate monitoring targets from both the ICT Centre and Terminal 1 (T1).
    Within the Security & Operations division, seven Watchtek solutions were introduced, including server and network monitoring. Unlike the default templates provided, the client requested fully customised dashboards for all solutions.

    Design Solutions
    Developed a unified yet distinctive design language across seven dashboards to ensure both consistency and clarity. Designed the main dashboard with a 3D, high-impact visual style, aligning with the airport’s branding and expectations.
    Applied data-specific chart designs, customising visual treatments according to the type and importance of data being displayed. Balanced visual richness and usability, preventing the dashboards from becoming overwhelming while meeting the client’s demand for “flashy” design.

    Challenges
    Needed to deliver a large volume of dashboards in a very short timeline.
    The main dashboard had to be visually striking and three-dimensional, reflecting the airport’s preference for a bold and immersive style across all interfaces.
    Each dashboard displayed similar chart types but with different data contexts, requiring tailored design adjustments for readability and impact.

    Impact
    The entire suite of dashboards was redesigned and delivered within a tight deadline, successfully meeting the International Airport’s expectations. Today, the dashboards are actively in use, supporting real-time monitoring and operational efficiency across security and infrastructure systems. The project demonstrated my ability to adapt design styles rapidly while maintaining quality and consistency under time-sensitive conditions.

    paper Custom Dashboard & Data Center Infrastructure Management Design

    (Image unavailable for security reasons)
    Project Background
    This included custom dashboards, DCIM (Data Centre Infrastructure Management), and FMS (Facility Management System).

    Challenges
    Integrated Dashboard:
    KT required a solution that could display regional data at a glance and allow quick identification when errors occur. Unlike typical dark-style dashboards used in control centers, KT requested a map-based visualisation that emphasised regional monitoring.

    DCIM:
    The system needed to reflect KT’s actual data center rooms, not just default floor maps. They required full equipment visibility, including devices located behind walls, while avoiding overwhelming complexity.

    Impact
    The DCIM system, which had not been fully adopted in previous implementations, was successfully established as KT Cloud’s new operational platform. My custom design improved monitoring efficiency, enhanced equipment visibility, and later evolved into a modular standard now being expanded Watchtek’s new platform.