IMAGE : 1990 HYUNDAI STELLAR TAXI in South Korea.
Letter of Motivation - Hyunhong Jo
December 9, 2022.
To whom may concern,
Hello, Stranger. Thanks for Visiting. Before I jump into self-introduction,
I would love to start this message with a little story that still shines in my memory about Automobiles.
First off, I was a car enthusiast ever since I was born in South Korea, just like most students.
The very first memory that I still have is a little scene in a taxi with my Dad when I was a toddler. in the early 90s, My dad brought me in a taxi and then asked to the driver just drive around the block within the base fee, to let me see what a scene looks like from a moving automobile.
That car was a Hyundai Something, with an indigo blue colored velvet interior, a fishbowl gear shifter, and a moving outside scene from around the center console, where my eyes were located…, even the smell of the Taxi is still fresh and vivid in my memory. If there is a right explanation for the word ‘sensation’, for me, this ‘experience’ could be the best way to describe its definition. It was a pure sensation. It was so sensational for me. Everything was fantastic and quite shocking to ‘Toddler’ Me, and that's why it still remains in my memory. Riding a taxi, the experience might be nothing to others, but for me, it remains clear and shines still, becoming a point that I look back at when I struggle with challenges.
Ever since that experience, I have grown up and luckily had such diverse memories and experiences with Automobiles so far even when I was serving in Korean Army as ¼ Ton Driver for two years. When duty has over, I decided to study ‘Car Design’ for the first time and went to College for Creative Studies for majoring in ‘Transportation Design’, in the heart of the ‘Motor City of the United States. 5years of the journey for getting a diploma as well as a certificate in ‘Automotive Modeling’ was full of unforgettable memories with new friends who were into and loved cars.
When the time for graduation came to me in 2019, Luckily, I got a few job offers from Big 3 of Detroit as well as Honda R&D and Maserati at the same time. So I decided to move to Japan. Even though I originally came from Korea, geologically right next to my Home country but personally never been to Japan until then. And I was also eager for learning something that I have never experienced so I moved toward it, ended up spending 3 years at the headquarters of Honda R&D, As a Modeler who handles Clay Models as well as Digital Models for design development for Products and Concepts. The experience was quite sufficient for me to enjoy and still remains inside of me.
While the Global Pandemic hit the world hard in late 2019, It somehow became a big opportunity for me to challenge myself to learn Digital Modeling skills while I was working at
home for nearly two years. Because of family issues, I decided to leave Honda and move next to my family for a while in Korea. Had a few interviews so far, not only car industry but also with various Startups that needed someone who had insights into Smart Mobility developments.
I saw a big chance in the Automotive Design industry and decided what to do next. Not just getting a job, called ‘Designer’ or ‘Modeler’ but am willing to Study more into Automotive Design deeper for ‘Practically yet Styled better’ products. As I already experienced Product Design processes in various Companies in the real world and knows how modeler handles designers’ Dreams and insights into touchable objects from my experiences. Because of these experiences, and the enthusiasm I got, I think I could do something cool.
I strongly believe the best design should have ‘Forms follow Function’. All details have their meanings and reasons. But for me, the Original ‘Honda CITY’ was the most inspirational product to feel the theory. The car still is a fresh concept that has been brought as an actual product for the market. The vehicle itself, might not have an elegant aesthetic standpoint but the function of its package says it all and that is what I love about it.
All individual designers have their own tastes but not all companies and customers fully accept their tastes. The ‘Honda City’ as well, must be someone’s dream and taste. If I could persuade possible Customers or Companies with my design taste, so eventually if customers think ‘I want that car’, I think I can say that my creation is successful to be sold in the market, and that's what I want to achieve by studying more into fully utilizing previous experiences. Especially, my previous experience as a Modeler would work perfectly as a foundation for Studying and researching in the Transportation Design field.
When we have to ‘Do’ something, it will never happen with just intentions. All the Small things affect the results and I think this moment is perfect for me. Ever since I left Honda, I keep noticing that I might go back to school for deeper research to study to get achieve an indescribable will in Transportation Design. The experiences from Honda Motor Company taught me how to set up processes, and how to contribute to the objective to be ‘successfully’ completed, which are quite important.
Not only in the field of design but also in one’s life, and at the moment, I am spreading my word here.
Thanks for your time and consideration for whatever you got in your mind.
I hope we could meet in person in near future.
Sincerely,
January 27, 2023.
Hyunhong Jo (JO)