Designer Profile: Karen Oh

As promised, D421 is highlighting women designers from a variety of design disciplines and culture backgrounds to celebrate their collective creative impact on the world.  Today, we’d like to introduce you to Karen Oh, a passionate Korean-American visual communication designer who we met several years ago at an ICOGRADA conference in Havana, Cuba where she was exhibiting some of her poster designs.

Karen Oh, Owner & Creative Director of HOUSEOFCAKES

Karen Oh
Owner & Creative Director of HOUSEOFCAKES
Brooklyn, NY

What’s Your Story?
I am a graduate of Colby College with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a passion for creativity.  Initially, I was self-taught then I returned to Minneapolis College of Art and Design for my M.F.A. in Visual Studies.

Now, I have over 15 years of experience in print, web and environmental design and management, and worked mostly for educational and non-profit institutions before starting my own business. During this time, I have had the opportunity to exhibit my design work internationally.

With HOUSEOFCAKES, I have been able to collaborate with a wide range of clients in the areas of social justice, social service, public policy, publishing, cultural and arts organizations, as well as start-up and established businesses. I find myself assisting clients in developing comprehensive communications brands, helping them integrate all their communications in order to send a stronger message. By working with mainly non-profits that are striving to improve communities and residents, I feel that I am filling a need and advancing social causes.

What’s Your Favorite Thing  About Being  Designer?
It has given me the ability to do a wide range of things outside of just design and so I’ve been able to develop a wide range of skills from administration to programming. By using design thinking, I am able to figure out how best to communicate with people and develop systems in order to (hopefully) create change that people can be invested in.

What Career Challenges Have You Faced As A Woman? How Did You Handle It?
Sometimes, I think people still don’t take women as seriously, especially in leadership roles. However, in my experience, I have found that it is mostly women who are active in their communities and effecting change. To be taken seriously, I’ve had to ‘look’ the part (e.g. look more professional) so that people can see beyond what I look like and concentrate on what I’m saying.“

Poster for the Brooklyn Public Library

Life Beyond Design
In addition to being a designer, I also have experience in non-profit management, having worked in non-profit operations and administration for several years. When I’m not working, I try to be active in my community, working together with residents to improve our neighborhoods, especially concerning animals and food access. Using my design and management skills, I helped to found my neighborhood Community Supported Agriculture program and currently I serve on the board as communications chair. I also have been active in controlling feral cat populations in New York City, by helping residents trap and spay/neuter wild cats and returning them to their locations. I am now working on a large-scale community development project to organize the community so that we can open a 6,000 square-foot member-run food cooperative.

For more information about Karen Oh and her work, visit the HOUSEOFCAKES website.