Work and Life of HyungIhn Myung, the founder of HIDEABER

Hello,

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a freelance interview relay series titled “Freelancer the Familiar, Yet Unfamiliar with You,” organized by Youth Union Korea. The interview was conducted late last year, and with permission (and proper credit to Youth Union), I’m sharing the content here!

Interviewee: 

HyungIhn Myung (Founder of HIDEABER)

I first met HyungIhn at an artist networking event. She left a strong impression by handing out sign language kits she had created herself to everyone in attendance.

I later learned that she works as a freelance designer, runs a merchandise business, maintains a blog, and has recently been studying AI with serious focus. Curious about the energy behind her ability to consistently manage multiple projects, I asked if she would be open to an interview.

HyungIhn studied illustration in the United States. After returning to Korea, she realized the practical importance of design in the commercial market and spent about three years working at a company.

Wanting to grow further, she eventually felt limited by the structure of traditional corporate culture and decided to start her own business. Before resigning, she prepared carefully—saving funds and gradually building the foundation of a commercial design studio, including business cards, branding, and signage projects.

Rather than positioning herself strictly as an artist, she approaches her work with a business mindset, focusing on solving other people’s needs.

[Moving Forward with a “Give & Take” Philosophy]

Hyungin was deeply influenced by Adam Grant’s *Give and Take*. She values work that contributes to mutual growth and problem-solving.

Her sign language kit project, for example, was built around the message that communication can take many forms.

She says the most rewarding moments come when her design work directly contributes to a client’s increased sales. Whenever new design tools or technologies emerge, she experiments with them immediately and continues taking courses to sharpen her practical skills.

[The Realities of Running a Design Business]

Like most freelancers, her journey hasn’t been without challenges.

To secure her first clients, she personally visited local shops in her neighborhood, introduced herself, and handed out business cards. Even now, she believes in-person meetings have the highest success rate.

Because most design work operates on delayed payment terms, there have been occasional cases where agreed-upon payments were postponed. In those situations, she approaches conversations logically and proactively. Based on experience, she now asks clients to confirm payment details at least three days in advance, setting clear dates and times.

She also sets her pricing on the higher side—and matches it with full commitment. When clients request revisions, she listens carefully. If the request is reasonable, she incorporates it. If the direction conflicts with the project’s integrity, she clearly communicates her professional stance.

One persistent issue in the design industry is copyright. She previously experienced complications related to font licensing. At the time, many designers faced similar misunderstandings, and in some cases, companies exploited gray areas in policy. After consulting a lawyer and resolving the situation, she now exclusively uses officially licensed fonts to prevent future risk.

[Balance: Health and Routine]

At first glance, she might seem like a workaholic. In reality, she maintains a disciplined and balanced routine.

She typically works about six hours a day and prioritizes nine hours of sleep. She plans her monthly workload in advance and moves at a pace that matches her capacity.

When a project comes in, she focuses fully on it. However, even if an urgent request offers higher pay, she often declines if it disrupts her planned workload. Rather than pushing herself into burnout, she prioritizes long-term sustainability.

For physical health, she consistently trains in CrossFit. She also prefers cooking her own healthy meals.

Most of her work is done in a home studio. She finds that working alone in a quiet, sunlit space suits her well. When she needs a reset, she takes a walk or works from a café. Light conversations at her neighborhood gym or local spots help maintain social balance. And when exhaustion hits, she simply rests—leaving tomorrow’s work for tomorrow.

Earlier in her career, when she lived in a small one-room apartment without a separate workspace, she endured stress rather than managing it. Over time, she recognized a pattern: when stressed, forcing herself to keep working often created unnecessary anxiety and extra tasks. Now, she allows herself to step back when needed.

Financial stability is also essential to sustaining freelance life. For several years, she has studied finance and personal savings strategies, tracking her cash flow daily.

[Community and Connection]

As a freelancer, building networks can be challenging. Instead of forcing it, she forms humanistic relationships with business owners she meets through work.

She believes that even within the same profession, meaning shifts depending on one’s approach. Looking ahead, she hopes to collaborate more with fellow freelancers and broaden her understanding of people through those partnerships.

[Looking Ahead]

With the rise of AI, demand for basic design outsourcing has clearly declined. Tools like GPT now allow non-designers to generate simple design outputs with ease. In this environment, she believes only highly skilled professionals will remain competitive.

Rather than resisting this shift, she actively studies and integrates AI into her workflow, experimenting with new expansions. Recently, she has also been planning a return to drawing—her original major.

In the near term, her goal is to establish stronger brand recognition for “HIDEABER” within the content space. Beyond design, she aims to create content that offers practical value to people’s lives.

This interview highlighted three qualities that define her approach: positive values, steady passion, and balance.

Youth Union Korea: https://youthunion.kr/

Special thanks to Eunju, a member of Youth Union, for conducting the interview.

For inquiries or collaboration requests with HIDEABER, please contact:

deafbird.illustration@gmail.com

Thank you.