Meet Kyeong, Industrial Designer at Spark Innovations

As we continue to share more of the human side of Spark Innovations, we wanted to take our readers behind the scenes and introduce the people who help bring ideas to life. Join us as we get to know Kyeong, explore his journey into industrial design, discover what inspires his creativity, and learn what he enjoys most about being part of the Spark team.

From Seoul to Toronto: A Unique Journey Into Industrial Design

Kyeong is originally from Seoul, South Korea, where he began his academic journey studying Business and Hotel Management at university in Gyeongju. At first glance, his early education may seem very different from the world of industrial design and product development. However, his varied experiences have played an important role in shaping the way he approaches design today.

His path toward industrial design began to change during a lecture in Korea where he was introduced to 3D printing. The technology immediately sparked his interest and made him want to become involved in the industry. After moving to Canada, Kyeong decided to build a stronger creative foundation before diving deeper into CAD and product development. He completed an Art Foundation program in Toronto, where a professor recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue industrial design. That encouragement changed the direction of his career.

“Industrial design completely redefined my career goals,” Kyeong explains.

His journey reflects the value of having a broad range of interests. Kyeong has always been curious about many different subjects, including technology, science, food, beverages, and sports. Over time, he realized that this curiosity could become a major strength in industrial design. The ability to quickly learn about different industries and understand the people who use different products allows him to approach each new challenge with an open mind.

This broad perspective is especially valuable at Spark Innovations, where our team regularly works on unique and non-standard projects across a variety of industries. Every new project brings different challenges, users, and opportunities. Kyeong believes his diverse background and multidisciplinary interests allow him to bring fresh perspectives to these challenges and add value when developing unconventional concepts.

Designing Products With Empathy, Creativity, and Purpose

At the heart of Kyeong’s approach to industrial design is a strong focus on the user. His key strength lies in identifying user pain points with deep empathy, brainstorming creative solutions, and transforming those ideas into practical product concepts. For him, successful design begins with understanding the people who will ultimately use the product.

Kyeong enjoys working on everyday consumer products because there is something particularly rewarding about bringing an idea to life and imagining it becoming part of someone’s daily routine. He says there is nothing more exciting than creating a product that he would genuinely want to use himself. That connection between an idea, a real-world problem, and the person using the final product is what makes product development so meaningful to him.

One of his proudest professional moments was seeing a product he was heavily involved in finally hit the market and appear on store shelves. For many designers, there is a special moment when something that once existed only as an idea, sketch, or concept becomes a real product that people can buy and use. For Kyeong, seeing that process come full circle was an unforgettable milestone.

His favourite part of the product development process is the initial concept development stage. This is where he feels he can be most creative, taking abstract ideas and translating them into tangible visual representations. The early stages of a project offer an opportunity to explore possibilities, brainstorm solutions, and consider different directions before an idea begins to take shape.

Kyeong is also inspired by looking beyond the immediate scope of a project. Rather than limiting his research to one product category or industry, he often draws inspiration from completely different areas and from nature. This approach helps him think outside the box and find fresh ways to approach design challenges.

When asked what makes a product truly great, Kyeong believes it must go beyond functionality and convenience. “A truly great product doesn’t just improve functionality or convenience; it connects emotionally with the user,” he says. “It should elevate their overall experience and evoke positive feelings every time they interact with it.”

This balance between functionality and emotional connection is something that makes product design so powerful. A product can solve a practical problem, save time, or make a task easier, but the most successful products often create an experience that people genuinely enjoy.

Kyeong also has a particular appreciation for lighting products. He admires the way a well-designed lighting product can serve a practical purpose while also completely transforming a user’s space and mood. It is another example of how thoughtful design can combine function, emotion, and experience in a single product.

Why Kyeong Chose Spark Innovations

The variety of work was one of the biggest factors that attracted Kyeong to Spark Innovations. As a designer who enjoys learning about different industries and taking on new challenges, he was drawn to an environment where every project can bring something different.

At Spark, our team works across a wide range of industries and helps clients transform ideas into real products. From the earliest stages of concept development through design, engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing, each project presents its own set of opportunities and challenges. For Kyeong, the chance to work alongside a multidisciplinary team on innovative inventions was particularly exciting.

“I was drawn to Spark’s dynamic environment and the opportunity to work alongside a multidisciplinary team on groundbreaking inventions,” he says.

Kyeong’s first impression of Spark was not only about the work or the studio itself. It was about the people. He says he immediately appreciated how empathetic, respectful, and open everyone is when communicating and working together. That collaborative culture is an important part of what makes the product development process successful.

When facing a difficult design challenge, Kyeong believes open communication and collaboration are essential. Working alongside experienced colleagues creates opportunities to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and welcome feedback. He also recognizes the importance of client input, explaining that clients are often the ultimate experts in their specific industries and can provide valuable insights that help shape the best possible solution.

Kyeong describes the culture at Spark Innovations as one where everyone is open to feedback and genuinely respects each other’s opinions, regardless of role or seniority. He says one of the things he enjoys most about working at Spark so far is the collaborative environment and the continuous stream of novel, challenging projects that keep every day interesting.

More Than a Designer: Getting to Know Kyeong Outside the Studio

While industrial design is clearly a major passion for Kyeong, his curiosity and love of exploring extend well beyond the Spark studio. Outside of work, he enjoys trying new activities and discovering new experiences. On weekends, you may find him camping or exploring new restaurants and food spots around town.

He also has a few interests that may surprise his new colleagues and clients. Kyeong has a full home café setup for specialty coffee brewing, allowing him to experiment with and enjoy the art of making great coffee. He also regularly practices martial arts, another passion that reflects his interest in continually learning and challenging himself.

His journey has taken him through an impressive range of studies and interests. Before finding his passion in art and industrial design, Kyeong explored everything from biology and business to hotel management. Along the way, he has also enjoyed learning different languages, including Japanese, Chinese, English, and French.

This wide range of experiences and interests has helped shape the designer he is today. Curiosity is a common thread throughout Kyeong’s story, whether he is learning about a new industry, exploring a new product category, trying a new activity, or searching for a fresh perspective on a design challenge.

Welcome to the Team, Kyeong!

We are excited to have Kyeong join the Spark Innovations team and look forward to seeing the ideas, concepts, and products that will come to life as part of his journey with us. His unique background, multidisciplinary interests, and passion for understanding users and solving problems make him a valuable addition to our growing team.

At Spark Innovations, we believe that successful product development is driven by people who are curious, collaborative, and open to new ideas. It takes a team with different experiences and perspectives to look at challenges from multiple angles and discover creative ways to bring an idea from concept to reality.

As we continue to give our readers a closer look behind the scenes at Spark Innovations, we are excited to introduce more of the people who make our work possible. We believe innovation is about more than products and technology. It is also about the talented people, diverse perspectives, and collaborative ideas that help bring those products to life.

Welcome to the Spark Innovations team, Kyeong! We are thrilled to have you with us.