Introducing Shin Mi-ri: A Young Entrepreneur in Ulsan's Craft Scene
Today, I would like to introduce a young entrepreneur from Ulsan who is steadily expanding her spectrum in the craft field.
Shin Mi-ri, the founder of the silk screen graphic studio 'Breezebeats', is actively involved in various artistic activities and educational programs.
In our conversation, she shared her thoughts on cultivating multiple cultures in Ulsan.
Q. Can you introduce yourself?
Hello, I am Shin Mi-ri, operating the silk screen graphic studio 'Breezebeats'. I focus on silk screen work, graphic design, exhibition planning, and educational programs based on visual design.
I worked in the UX/UI design field for about five years, but I decided to start my own business, driven by the desire to pursue my passions before getting older. I have been in business for about five years now.
I prefer to create designs based on computer graphics rather than hand-drawn images. My preference for clean expressions naturally led me to this method. When I want to focus on artistic work, I collaborate with other artists in the same field.
On the other hand, I personally focus on developing curricula aimed at youth education. Most of my classes revolve around design career education, where we create outcomes in the realm of public design.
Q. How was your initial experience?
Since I wanted to pursue design from my student days, I took entrance exams and majored in industrial design. After working for about five years in design, I realized that I couldn't sustain myself solely with that. I pondered what method could produce results from my strengths and thought of silk screening. The appeal of being able to create tangible outcomes based on design was compelling.
When I first started, I believe I did quite well. At that time, there were no young people handling silk screening in Ulsan, which gave me a competitive edge. My first students even came from Busan and Incheon. However, entrepreneurship requires continuous results and financial management, which made it take a long time to find stability.
Afterward, I applied for jobs at cultural foundations and other regional institutions, but it felt more like a process of checking my current position and direction rather than aiming for immediate re-employment.
Q. What were your challenging moments?
When you immerse yourself in something you love, you often feel isolated when results don't come. It's hard to distinguish when to stop and when to move forward. Many people like me start businesses not just for survival but to pursue their passions. When things don't go well, you need to identify the causes and alternatives, but sometimes you cling to your ideas out of attachment.
Thus, it's essential to keep observing the outside world. Life is similar for everyone, so there's no need to feel discouraged alone or to fixate too much on what's not working.
Q. What gives you fulfillment?
There was a time when I received an order from a brand I admire. I had to produce their items, but I'm not very active on Instagram or in promoting myself. When I received their contact, I felt a mix of joy and curiosity about why they reached out to me. Regardless, I did my best to fulfill the order.
Collaborations with other brands or special projects often can't be publicly disclosed due to confidentiality or conditions. While I can't openly share these experiences, they gradually build my self-confidence and pride.
Q. What are your future goals?
Personally, I want to focus on education and create high-quality projects for more students in the future. Initially, I had no intention of teaching or selling lectures.
However, after meeting a few young people through simple silk screen classes, various requests started coming in, and I met many friends.
From my experience, the most crucial aspect for students is developing their ability to think independently. Beyond merely producing outcomes, exploring and choosing what they like is vital. Even if they don't become artists, having an artistic mindset will benefit them in other endeavors.
In conclusion, I believe it's essential to find a balance between what you love and what you do well while creating a sustainable income and activity structure.
Struggling against laziness and sometimes enduring isolation while continuously aligning with the outside world is a rough yet solid journey.
As Shin Mi-ri combines silk screening and graphic design to carve out her niche, she also impressively embodies the role of an educator, imparting the power of independent thought to children. We look forward to Breezebeats' next steps in broadening the framework of artistic thinking in the region.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224252944546
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