Michelle Choi
Michelle Choi
Founder / Lead Creative of The Seoul Search
Los Angeles, CA / San Francisco, CA
www.theseoulsearch.com
youtube
twitter @theseoulsearch
instagram @theseoulsearch
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m the founder and lead creative of The Seoul Search - a digital storytelling agency that helps brands and content creators manage and grow their communities.”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
While studying physics in university, I was feeling creatively unfulfilled due to the highly analytical nature of my coursework. So I decided to start a YouTube channel, blog, and created content on every medium possible non-stop for about two years.
I’ve grown a pretty significant following over the past two years I decided to reach out to one of my favorite YouTubers - WithWendy - to see if she needed a graphic designer for her platforms. Luckily, she did and here I am!
How do you stand out in your field?
I'm fortunate to be both a content creator and designer on behalf of content creators - my experience as a content creator helps me produce and design assets that contribute to high click-through rates, longer watch times, and higher audience engagement.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I currently do community management, graphic design work, and video editing for YouTubers such as WithWendy, Aja Dang, and AlexaSunshine83. I also collaborate with brands for influencer marketing, native advertising, copywriting, and more.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I love airy, colorful design with a splash of color that feels vaguely vintage! My website is a great reflection of this, as well as my projects with DIY YouTuber WithWendy.
I also create more illustrative, hand-drawn designs for fashion creator AlexaSunshine83.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I wish I could spend more time learning SQL and other data-structure languages! I'm a real nerd for data and I always want to know more!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Work-life balance! Since the stay-at-home order was put in place, my daily routine has been completely shaken up. It's been so difficult to separate work with life and I feel like I'm constantly thinking about work.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Anything taxes + finance. Every time April rolls around I want to hide until tax season is over.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I don't think I'd tell myself anything - I'm a firm believer that all of the events (good and bad) in my life have a purpose.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Taxes. No doubt.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
YouTube branding, Squarespace web design, content creation.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I love clients that give feedback, and love communication + discussion.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Design rates are between $50-$70 per hour and web design begins at $1200.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
You can fill out this form here.
I *love* information and detail, so put in as much information as possible! I think that it's so important to chat face-to-face when possible so I'm always down to FaceTime with clients!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Social media detoxing! I started it a few months ago and never looked back.
This member profile was originally published in June 2020.