Hyena Nam

Hyena Nam is an award-winning graphic designer whose work has been recognized both nationally and internationally. She was selected by the World Brand Design Society as one of the Top 100 Most Creative Designers in the World for two consecutive years, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. Originally from South Korea and now based in the United States, her design practice spans both the Korean and U.S. design industries.

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Nam specializes in art direction and graphic design, working across a broad range of print and digital media. Her creative process is rooted in a research-informed approach, grounded in her MFA studies in Visual Communication Design at Kent State University, where she focused on design research. With her international background and research-driven creative process, she strategically develops visual concepts and delivers effective, innovative solutions tailored to each client. When needed, she collaborates with experts across disciplines to meet the specific needs of each project.

In addition to her professional practice, Nam is a design researcher whose scholarly interests lie in solving real-world problems through visual communication, user-centered design, and examining how visual communication influences consumer behavior. Her research focuses on advancing sustainability, with particular attention to waste reduction and supporting marginalized communities. Currently, she is leading a project aimed at developing effective visual communication strategies to educate the public in Des Moines, Iowa, on proper recycling practices.

Nam is also a passionate educator, serving as a Graphic Design Professor in U.S. higher education. In the classroom, she shares her expertise in both design and research, helping students become innovative visual problem solvers.