Julia Kim (MFA1) on Interning with Young Huh & Maximizing her NYSID Education

New York School of Interior Design student Julia Kim, who is in her second year of the MFA1 program, is getting the most out of her NYSID education by taking advantage of all the College and the New York design community have to offer. Kim just completed a semester-long internship with Young Huh Interior Design. 

Members of NYSID’s student chapter of the Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance (AAPIDA x NYSID) were invited to apply for the internships at Huh’s AD100 interior design firm this semester and last, because Young Huh is both a Board Member of NYSID and a co-founder of the national Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance. Kim interned with Lucy Yang (AAS) in the fall; and two more NYSID students, Angel Lopez (MFA1) and Jefferson Johanes (MFA1), are interning this spring. NYSID’s AAPIDA group is open to any student interested in AAPIDA design traditions and inclusivity in design. Young Huh Interior Design is currently taking applications for the summer internship program.  

Kim, also serves as vice president of NYSID’s Graduate Student Association; treasurer of its Black Design Collective; and as an ambassador for its Green Design Group. She volunteers as a member of ASID NY Metro Health, Wellness & Sustainability Committee, and IIDA’s Sustainability Circle. We sit down with this dynamic, service-oriented student to hear about how she is maximizing her NYSID experience.

Julia Kim with Young Huh and her staff

NYSID: What did you do in your internship at Young Huh Interior Design?

Julia Kim: Well, my first task was to hunt for specific plates for a photo shoot. It surprised me to learn how long a detail like this can take. They were Ginori Granduca Coreana plates, a special collection that’s out of stock almost everywhere. I wound up locating a full set at a small boutique in Michigan and it was pretty exciting to be able to come through with this pivotal detail for the team. Part of my job was sourcing and organizing high-end fabrics for the sample library, and I had a lot of fun with that because it made me more familiar with the products used in high-end residential work. The team was working on the interior of a yacht so I got to go shopping for marine-grade fabric and learned so much about high-end performance fabrics that hold up in the sun and water. 

What did you observe about Young Huh’s business or takeaway from the internship?

What I found truly impressive about Young Huh is that she had so many projects, with so many moving parts, and that she could keep her head and heart in every project. I had interned for a smaller firm before, so I never realized a firm could have so many projects at once. Young Huh and her business manager had the big picture on every project, but were very good at delegating the details and letting the senior designers take the lead on each project. I got to interface with everyone in the company, from Young Huh to the design associates. I learned about the importance of collaboration and management.

You are one busy student! Why are you so active as a campus leader and volunteer for professional organizations?  

I enjoy building bridges between organizations. For example, when the ASID Metro NY’s Health and Wellness Committee was planning a trip to Grace Farms last semester, I was able to get students from NYSID’s Green Design Group invited to go along because I am active in both organizations. The Green Design Group is going to the IIDA’s Sustainability Trivia Night because they gave us five free tickets. The networking is key, but it’s also about deepening my understanding of design and getting more comfortable with people in the industry. I highly recommend getting involved because it shows future employers you care about the profession and you can collaborate with a team. 

How did you get involved in ASID NY Metro Health, Wellness & Sustainability Committee?

NYSID instructor Michelle Jacobson ‘18 (MPSS) is ASID NY Metro’s emerging professionals committee chair, and she taught my Color for Interiors and Sustainable Furnishings, Finishes and Materials for Interiors classes. Michelle's mentorship extended beyond the classroom, inspiring me to join the ASID NY Metro Health, Wellness & Sustainability Committee. This valuable connection has opened doors to many networking events.

What NYSID academic opportunity has been transformative for you and why?

My experience traveling to Mexico City with NYSID was transformative in shaping my perspective on design. This travel study course not only complemented the rich design offerings of New York City but also provided international exposure. The highlight of this experience was a tour of Casa Gilardi led by a Mexican architect who was raised in the home. During our post-class explorations, a serendipitous encounter with Tana Karei’s shop, a vendor I had previously met at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), underscored the interconnectedness of the global design community.

Tabletop for the 2024 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Spring Gala designed by Julia Kim, Sarah Chesters (BID), Mary Kallmann (BID), and Sion Tanaka (MFA1)

What other sorts of out of the classroom experiences & connections in the industry has NYSID opened for you, and why is this important?

NYSID has provided me with invaluable out of the classroom experiences, such as the opportunity to design a tabletop for the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Spring Gala under the mentorship of NYSID alum Dalia Forman. This real-world project allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to a practical setting, developing skills like teamwork and project management. Such industry connections and hands-on experiences allow NYSID students like myself to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. 

If you’re interested in studying at NYSID learn more about our variety of undergraduate and graduate academic programs. 

If you’re a NYSID student who wants to get involved in an on-campus organization or club? Explore the on-campus organizations. To get involved in NYSID’s chapter of AAPIDA reach out to the group at AAPIDA@nysid.edu.