Meet the newest BatesMeron design intern, Alison Chiyong Kim! Alison is heading into her junior year at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, working towards a BFA with an emphasis in Visual Communications, New Media and Art and Technology Studies. Her passion and knowledge of all things art and design make her a perfect fit for our team.
I interviewed Alison as part of our 6 Questions feature: a series of one-on-one interviews with people we work with who make us proud. Sometimes I like to turn the tables and put our own staffers in the hot seat so you not only get to meet them, but also see just how special our team really is.
Oh gosh, there’s so many. I’m a really big fan of Friends. I know that’s not technically a “family,” but I’d want to be a part of that group because they still act like family.
Dogs.
Going to art school was a last-minute decision for me, and I’m trying to do as many art forms as possible. I don’t know if my career will go in the design direction, but that’s why I’m here.
Probably what my dad wanted me to do: go to an Ivy League, major in biology—basically doing anything in the medical field.
This is my first internship in college, so I wanted to find a fun environment and a team that was into my own design practices. I also focused on finding a smaller company so that I could get a more personal experience from the job.
The most exciting part of this internship is getting to work on actual assignments for clients instead of just school assignments. I’m excited about the challenges I’ll face here, too.
On a personal level, I’m really interested in game design. By the end of my senior year, I’m hoping to have my own game designed.
My art practice is closely based on recreating my memories and channeling nostalgia. I’d want to make something 8-pixel, old-style, very 2D. Kind of like old-school Mario Kart. A game that evokes a sense of childhood and reflects the games I grew up playing.
Coffee or tea? I like tea.
Burgers or pizza? Pizza.
Yanny or Laurel? Laurel.
My go-to brand is Apple. Every product of mine is Apple, and I buy all their new products when they come out. They’ve set up a minimalistic style that really works for them. They’re probably the most popular brand, so I think they’re doing a great job.