MINJI KIM
WORKS- HYUNDAI MOTORS
- STAND BY, I’M GETTING READY
- HONGIK UNIVERSITY WEBSITE
- HCI: DEEP SURFACE LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS
-
UNSIGNED THINGS
- ESSENTIALS OF PLASTIC RECYCLING
-
NOMAD
- NORA-JU-KU (JAPANESE)
- GLOBAL PATENTS
- LED LIGHTING DESIGNED TO PREVENT SHADOWS
- LIGHT GUIDE PLATE DESK LAMP
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- PARSONS THE NEW SCHOOL
-
Communication Design Dept. Interaction Studio
- PARTT INSTITUTE
- Graduate Mobile Interaction Design
- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
CERTIFICATES
- RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD)
- Collegiate Teaching in Art and Design Certificate
- AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (APA)
- Psychological Research
-
GOOGLE
-
- FOUNDATIONS OF USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
- START THE UX DESIGN PROCESS: EMPATHIZE, DEFINE AND IDEATE
- Introduction to Psychology
- UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
LinkedIn
Email
©2025 MINJI KIM.
Minji Kim (Mina Kim)She/Her
LinkedIn | Email: minnkime@gmail.com
Minji Kim is a designer redefining human-centered design, transforming complex challenges into elegant, intuitive experiences that captivate and resonate. Her work creates lasting, meaningful connections between people and the objects they engage with.
SKILLSIndustrial Design: Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Keyshot, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Brainstorming Methods, Hands-on Prototyping (Package, Paper, Foam, Leather), CMF (Color, Material, Finish), Drawing & Painting
User Interface (UI) / User Experience (UX) Design: Figma, Miro, Wireframing, UX Frameworks, User Interface Design (App, Tablet, Web, AR, MR), Visual Hierarchy, Color Theory, User Research (Interviews, Surveys, Debriefing, Data Analysis)
Collaboration & Productivity: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Slack, Notion, Canvas
EDUCATION
Master of Industrial Design | Rhode Island School of Design | Providence, RI
September 2022 – June 2024
• Certificate: Collegiate Teaching in Art + Design
• Thesis Committee: Jessica Brown, Melissa Marcotte, Joshua Glenn
• Key Coursework: Thesis Open Research (A), ID Graduate Shop (A), Product Photography (A), Social Psychology (A), Collegiate Teaching Preparation (A), Collegiate Studio (A)
Brown University (Cross Registered) | Providence, RI
September 2022 – June 2024
• (Graduate) Designing Humanity Centered Technology-HCI (A), Computer Science Department
• (Graduate) Reason and Sentiment in 18th Century Philosophy (A), Philosophy Department
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Industrial Design | Hongik University, College of Fine Arts | Seoul, South Korea
March 2018 – March 2022
• Key Coursework: 2D Visual Communication I (A+), 2D Visual Communication II (A+), Digital Media Design (A+), Textile Art + Fashion Design + Industrial Design - 6 cr. (A+), Textile & Fashion Graphic Design (A+), Storytelling Management (A+), Research of Design Trend (A), Virtual Interaction Convergence (A), Service Design (A), Design Production Development (A), Arts Management (A+), Western Philosophy (A+)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Product Designer | Mackenzie-Childs | Aurora, NY
May 2025 – Present
• Designed ceramic and enamel product lines, managing the full concept-to-production workflow.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams using Rhino, Keyshot and Figma to streamline prototyping and manufacturing processes.
• Implemented a new product design system by creating a 3D design and 2D Graphic design library of previously undocumented Mackenzie-Childs products, reducing production time and improving team workflow by 15%.
• Contributed to timely market launches of key products by incorporating current design trends.
International Patent Owner, Design Owner, Royalty Recipient | Korea Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. (KET), South Korea
April 2024 – Present
• Executed an exclusive patent license agreement with Korea Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. covering granted patents (e.g., KR10-2118655) and pending applications (ceiling lighting, industrial designs, and related trademarks).
• Secured a 3% royalty rate on product sales, establishing sustained revenue streams from commercialization of patented technologies.
• Licensed rights extend across South Korea, China, and the United States, reinforcing global market applicability.
• Registered patented technology with the Public Procurement Service (PPS) and listed on the official Government-to-Business (G2B) procurement platform, enabling nationwide distribution to public schools and government agencies across South Korea.
• Oversaw R&D, prototyping, and usability testing, ensuring scalability, adaptability, and integration of patented technologies into large-scale production.
• https://shop.g2b.go.kr//link/GMSF001_01/?ctrtItemMngNo=382430507_1020000002
• https://shop.g2b.go.kr//link/GMSF001_01/?ctrtItemMngNo=382430507_1020000001
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (SOLE OWNER: MINJI KIM)
GLOBAL PATENTS (GRANTED)
• LED Lighting Fixture Designed to Prevent Shadows from Diffuse Reflection
(난반사로 그림자가 발생하는 것을 방지하는 LED 조명등)
o Republic of Korea, KIPO – Granted, Patent No.KR102849450B1, 2025
• Light guide plate desk lamp
o China, CNIPA – Granted, Patent No.CN111356874B, 2022
o United States, USPTO – Granted, Patent No.US11204461B2, 2021
o Republic of Korea, KIPO – Granted, Patent No.KR102118655B1, 2020
• nasal septum braces
o Republic of Korea, KIPO – Granted, Patent No.KR102344574B1, 2021
• Reading desk
o Republic of Korea, KIPO – Granted, Patent No.KR102251984B, 2021
PATENTS (PENDING)
• Multi-Diffuse Reflection LED Lamp (다중 난반사 발광 다이오드 조명등)
o Republic of Korea Pending No. 4-2017-062168-8
DESIGN REGISTRATIONS
• Republic of Korea, KIPO – Registered:
o 2025: No.30-1312065
o 2024: No.30-1263587, No.30-1267445, No.30-1278389, No.30-1278390
o 2023: No.30-1198210
o 2022: No.30-1176547
o 2021: No.30-1101550, No.30-1094419
o 2020: No.30-1075688, No.30-1075687, No.30-1075686, No.30-1075685, No.30-1075684,
No.30-1067668, No.30-1053418, No.30-1051870
o 2019: No.30-1000240, No.30-1000241, No.30-1008356, No.30-1008357, No.30-1025368
TRADEMARKS
• Republic of Korea, KIPO – Registered:
o 2025: No.40-2382334
o 2024: No.40-2269188
o 2022: No.40-1905436, No.40-1927266
o 2018: No.40-1406447
PUBLICATIONS
• 2024 | Session Chair | International Conference on Human Interaction & Emerging Technologies (IHIET 2024)
o Gonsher, I., Magavi, M., Kim, M., Bhyrappa, M., Yang, C., Jindal, S., Finberg, J. (2024). Deep Surface Liquid Crystal Displays for Extended Reality Applications. In: Tareq Ahram, Luca Casarotto and Pietro Costa (eds) Human Interaction and Emerging Technologies (IHIET 2024). AHFE (2024) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, vol -1. AHFE International, USA. http://doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1005515
o Presentation: "Deep Surface Liquid Crystal Displays" in the Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Simulation track, focusing on emerging technologies and business applications.
o Served as Session Chair for Emerging Technologies and Business Applications II.
• 2024 | Master’s Thesis | Stand by, I'm getting ready.
o Kim, Mina, "Stand by, I'm getting ready." (2024). Masters Theses, 1346. https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1346
• 2021 | K-Leather Creativity: Fashion & Product Designer
o Collaborative Project: Hongik University x Lineapelle – K-Leather Creativity
• 2020 | Korean Society of Design Science (KSDS) International Fall Invitational Exhibition
o Jaeyeop Kim, Junwon Yang, Minji Kim, Jiho Kim, YooKyeong Nam, Junghun Lee, Seokhyun Ahn, Yongjae Son, Jisun Yu, & Chaerin Hwang (2020-11-13). Unsigned Things. KSDS International Invitational Exhibition, Seoul. https://www.dbpia.co.kr/journal/articleDetail?nodeId=NODE10600756
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
• 2025 | CanvasRebel “Meet Minji Kim”
Featured interview on creative philosophy and cross-cultural design practice.
(https://canvasrebel.com/meet-minji-kim/)
• 2025 | Chosun Economy Startup Story
Recognized for patented glare-free LED lighting innovation in Korea, the U.S., and China.
(https://www.chosun.com/economy/startup_story/2025/04/02/KQDHLEVEKZAZHEBSU534TFCKKY/)
• 2024| Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) - Individual Achievement Award Finalist
• 2024 | A’ Design Award - Nominee
• 2023 | Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Member Spotlight
Recognized for global patents and innovative desk lamp design.
(https://www.idsa.org/awards-recognitions/member-spotlights/member-spotlight-mina-kim-idsa-receives-global-patents-for-novel-light-guide-plate-desk-lamp/)
• 2021 | Seoul Metropolitan Government - Change Seed Prize
(https://koya-culture.com/news/article.html?no=129189)
• 2020 | Korean Society of Design Science (KSDS) International Fall Invitational Exhibition - Grand Prize
Recognized for "Unsigned Things: Speculative Design”
(https://design-science.or.kr/board/notice/article/137870)
• 2020 | K-Leather Creativity Competition - Semi-Finalist
Material innovation at Hongik University in collaboration with LINEAPELLE S.r.l.
• 2020 | Red Dot Design Award - Nominee (Team of Three)
2019 | Hongik University Startup Idea Competition - Grand Prize (Team of Four)
• 2017 | Entrepreneur Magazine- Interview Feature
“The Future of Venture Business,” December Issue, pp. 176–177
SCHOLARSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS
• 2024 | Fred M. Roddy Scholarship, Rhode Island School of Design
• 2024 | Material Research Fund, Rhode Island School of Design
• 2023 | Rhode Island School of Design Fellowship
• 2023 | Fred M. Roddy Scholarship, Rhode Island School of Design
• 2022 | Rhode Island School of Design Fellowship
• 2022 | Fulbright Fellowship - Finalist
• 2020 | Hongik Hanma Eum Scholarship, Hongik University
o Fall Merit-based, Spring Merit-based
• 2019 | Volunteer Scholarship: Teaching and Learning Advancement Division, Hongik University
• 2019 | Special Scholarship (for outstanding academic performance) - Entrepreneurship
• 2019 | Hongik Hanma Eum Scholarship, Hongik University
o Fall Merit-based, Spring Merit-based
• 2019 | University Innovation Support Scholarship for Industrial Design, Hongik University
• 2018 | Hongik JaJu Scholarship, Hongik University - Fall Merit-based
• 2018 – 2021 | National Scholarship (Full Tuition Coverage for Four Years)
CERTIFICATIONS
Rhode Island School of Design - Collegiate Teaching in Art and Design (CTAD) Certificate
Yale University - Introduction to Psychology
Google - Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
Google - Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate
American Psychological Association (APA) - Psychological Research
University of Rhode Island (URI) - Basic Brightspace
EXHIBITIONS
2024 | RISD Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Providence Convention Center, 2024, Providence, RI, May 23 – June 1
2024 | MIDterms, Industrial Design (ID) Gallery, 161 South Main St, Providence, RI, February 2 – February 14, 2024
2022 | Sans Jury ni Récompense, Sol Koffler Gallery, Providence, RI, hosted by RISD Graduate Industrial Design
2021 | Intersection X: Wadiz Young Creators, Space Wadiz, Seongsu-dong, South Korea, December 2021
2021 | Anywise, Hongik University Senior Show, Online, South Korea, November 2021 – Present
2021 | KSDS International Fall Invitational Exhibition, DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza), Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea, November 2021
2020 | K Leather Creativity, Online Exhibition, sponsored by LINEAPELLE S.r.l., South Korea, September 2020 – Present
2020 | HIIDIXD: Virtual Interaction Convergence, Online Exhibition, December 2020 – November 2020
2020 | FUHYU, Industrial Design & Visual Communication Design Collaborative Multidisciplinary Experimental Exhibition, Online Exhibition
2019 | FUHYU, Hongik University, South Korea, December 2020