SOMA Magazine SOMA People Issue Jun 15 | Page 18

Design

JC Kim

Chic Beat Design Contest Winner
text by tAyLOR KIM

This April, SOMA Magazine proudly held a headphone design
contest called Chic Beat. This challenged designers to create
headphones for professional young women who have busy
schedules and want products that are trendy and versatile to
accommodate their busy cosmopolitan lifestyle.
JC Kim, the first place winner in the Chic Beat design contest,
surprised the judge with his sleek, metallic gold earbuds. I met
JC at a beautiful San Francisco indie café that matched his black
clothing and creative vibe. We chatted about his personal stories
and career aspirations.
Can you introduce yourself to readers?
My name is JC Kim. I grew straight up in Korea and came to SF
to study at Academy of Art University after finishing my military
service obligation. At the university, I study Industrial Design.
What is your motive behind entering the Chic Beat design
contest?
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Ali [Editor-in-Chief of SOMA] came to the class I was in and
did a brief about the design contest. I was hooked by the idea
of designing a headphone for young professional women. I also
wanted to try a project that puts more weight on the design than
the functions.
Please walk us through the concepts and inspirations
behind your Chic Beat design.
I came up with this idea of designing a headphone that looks like
a piece of jewelry. I thought of how young women love to wear
chic jewelries, which are never too much but always stand out
in their styles. I imagined that this Chic Beat design for young
women should be something that can add on to those chic styles.
I focused on creating a pretty look when the two earbuds are
put next to each other. I wanted to design a whole package of
aesthetics that would make the headphones a stylish piece that
can be worn for any occasion.