Krystal Sim
Q What do you do?
“I’m a web designer and I help brands represent their humanity online.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I started my design journey with an interest in UX design. I applied to art school for an interaction design program but ultimately couldn’t afford it. I opted for a junior college and an associates degree in UX instead and owe a lot of my practical design skills to ILC’s SSDC and SuperHi. I completed my courses around COVID which pushed me to start freelance web design. After a year, I landed my first full time role at a design agency that specialized in the higher education space. I worked with a number of universities for 2 years and now I’m back to freelancing so I can experience working within other industries.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I don’t consider myself a copywriter but I focus a lot on words! I process a lot of my thinking through writing so it made sense that my design process includes writing as well. I don’t just deliver a design—I like to work with small businesses to ensure they’re speaking to the right audience, communicating in a way that best represents their brand, and hitting the goal of the website.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working with a local IT business on building out their design processes as they plan to scale in the near future.
Q What’s your style?
I think my style tends to be clean with a focus on typography (hah no surprise there) and grids. Once the bones are set up, I like to play with layering (patterns, textures, layer effects).
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I use HTML and CSS to customize templates on Squarespace but would love to learn javascript and code a site from scratch one day 👀
Q What is frustrating you right now?
As an introvert with imposter syndrome, my insecurities gets to me sometimes and I second guess my skills. But each day I progress in my profession, I learn to live with the imposter syndrome better because it never really goes away.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I think this job deserves more than $20/hour but a personal PM to set my priorities each morning would be nice. Admin work can take up to an hour each morning sometimes.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish could have told myself in my first full time role that my skills were valuable and that I didn’t have to fill every design gap the company needed. I absolutely loathed doing print work but we were getting that type of work regularly. I tried my best to pick up the skills but I was mentally fighting it every time I sat down to do it. I admit, I really don’t like print design and that’s ok!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I'd like to gain insight on how I can make my designs more equitable and inclusive. I've taken TestingAccessibility.com courses but now I'd like to dig deeper into tackling inequalities. I want to make sure my designs not only consider the needs of marginalized groups but actively work to overcome existing inequalities.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’d love to work with more women of color on short term web design projects to help kick start their businesses.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client is one who is open-minded, excited to collaborate and entrusts me with free rein to experiment and play.
Q What is your rate?
I have an hourly rate of $50 or a 10 hour monthly retainer for $400 for digital design services. Squarespace websites start at $3k.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
You can email me to chat about your needs at kjsim.info@gmail.com
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I admire Tee Tran who started as a mentor and became a good friend! Aside from her amazing design chops and dreamy digital nomad life, I admire her desire to do good where she has volunteered, mentored designers, and has also done humanitarian work. Check out her work at www.teetran.com.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Read a lot of books ☺️
This member profile was originally published in February 2024