Designing with Empathy: The Work of Industrial Designer Seokhun You

In this conversation, we spoke with Seokhun about his design philosophy, his process, and The Lotus Root — a lighting installation that reveals how even visual limitations can become portals for empathy.

Q: Seokhun, how would you describe your approach to design?

Seokhun You, an industrial designer working at the intersection of human behavior, sensory experience, and technology, is redefining how people connect with objects and environments. With a background in behavioral research and a focus on health, wellness, and rehabilitation, You brings a deeply empathetic lens to the creative process - one that prioritizes emotional resonance as much as functional clarity.

Q: You’ve worked on everything from wearable rehab devices to light installations. How do you choose your materials and formats?

From wearable rehabilitation devices to immersive light-based installations, You’s portfolio is united by a consistent design philosophy: intuitive forms and purposeful interaction can transform everyday experiences without demanding attention. “Great design,” he notes, “should feel invisible, yet fundamentally transformative.”

Q: One of your projects, The Lotus Root, has gained recognition in the design community. What inspired this piece?

One of his most celebrated works, The Lotus Root, exemplifies this approach. The lighting installation was inspired by You’s own nearsightedness. Without corrective lenses, city lights at night appear to him as soft, glowing orbs — an experience both disorienting and strangely beautiful. Rather than viewing this distortion as a limitation, You transformed it into an immersive, meditative environment designed to foster empathy and shared perspective.

Q: How did you go about recreating that visual distortion in your installation?

Using convex lenses arranged in front of multicolored lights, The Lotus Root projects luminous circles across a wall, simulating the effect of blurred vision. The result is a space filled with light distortions that invite viewers to step into an altered mode of seeing - one that softens sharp distinctions and encourages emotional reflection.

Q: What kind of responses did you receive from people who interacted with it?

According to audience feedback, the piece evoked feelings ranging from childhood nostalgia to newfound appreciation for the lived experiences of those with low vision. The installation earned Second Place among more than 150 entries in the 2020 IESNYC Lighting Competition and was praised by judges and peers alike for its ability to translate a personal experience into a collective sensory dialogue.

Q: What challenges did you face in working with light and lenses?

Material selection plays a critical role in You’s process. He believes the medium should serve the intention behind the design. Sometimes that means creating a tactile wearable that supports physical rehabilitation; other times, it involves developing a visual narrative through light and space. In every case, usability and emotional clarity guide the design choices - often favoring sensory-rich materials and interactions that invite quiet reflection.

Q: How has this project influenced your work going forward?

The Lotus Root also served as a turning point in his creative journey. “It reminded me that vulnerability is powerful,” You reflects. “By starting from something deeply personal, I was able to create a piece that resonated more broadly.” Since then, he has continued to approach new projects with a heightened awareness of emotional undercurrents, recognizing that empathy can be both a design method and an outcome.As You’s practice evolves, he remains committed to exploring how design can help people feel - and see - differently. Blending rigorous research with poetic storytelling, his work exemplifies a quiet, powerful form of innovation: one rooted not in spectacle, but in understanding.