Meet Sophie Hansuh Im | Set Designer, Props designer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophie Hansuh Im and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophie, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I am compelled to break down this word ‘business’. When I first started off as a designer in the theater world and the events industry, I didn’t realize how a designer could be a business owner. Business seemed like a more fitting word for who sells a tactile product, or arranging meetings to advertise a merchandise for the profit of somebody I don’t resonate with. Whatever understanding I had of that word, ‘business’, my life seemed very distant from it. I have a different understanding now. I may not sell tactile products, but I sell my creative ideas (I do like the word offer than sell, though), and I definitely attend production meetings and concept meetings all under the name of collaboration, and remain obligated to advertise and advocate for myself. My life as a designer is entrepreneurial. My business is integrated with people, and now I know that that is how it goes.

My business idea is to visualize and materialize the concept embedded in a narrative. I read a script, talk with creatives to understand what we are offering for the world to see. What is really interesting is when the world sees this, this can transpire into multiple purposes.

My work is sometimes healing, comfort, recognition, education. Beyond that, it can also be a trigger to an in-depth or casual discussion, source of joy and a space to dream. Stories have power to strengthen us in our minds and have us dream of new and greater things. My business is about opening up the floor to the people all in the hopes they can learn something new and old, and of course dream. We should all dream on, we deserve that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’ve talked about my set design, props design and events design process a little bit before in a different interview, so this time, I want to focus on my fine art side of me-where I started and come back to. Fine art is what eventually birthed set design, so I think it’s safe to talk about my fine art pursuit here. I’ve started doing art for as long as I could remember. My parents can probably protest better about this, but I know I always drew, I always made, I always dared to create. In this desire, I was privileged enough to be supported with words and heart. I don’t tell this just so I can say my thanks to the people supported me with my art, but I learned something interesting along the way. Even at a really early age, I subconsciously learned that what I create, arouses reaction. I noticed that what I drew produced gathering of people and a conversation. Let’s be honest though, it was no masterpiece, it was a toddler, then a kid, thereupon a teenager just drawing. However, when I saw people reacted to what I created and what can be called ‘art’, I built confidence, curiosity, and pursuit towards this art and the aftereffect of it. It was quite wild to see people uniting to see what I made, I felt really admired. That’s when I started to catch on to the power of art. Art can be an expression, but it hardly ends at a mere expression. It was a channel to get people talking, spark agreements and disagreements, inspirit hardened hearts and maybe even to get people furious. Art is complex. Art is for the people. After all, art starts with us and ends with us. I think that is really remarkable. We all carry an artistic side that some people develop further and some don’t. I went a little far along, because I like thinking about the different possibilities of exploring and creating what I know and don’t know yet. I want people to know that art can look far, but art does a lot more than what we think it does. I don’t think I can ever limit what art can do.

Now what I create is a little more fine-tuned and attractive because I was trained to understand the mass’s taste and my design becomes more intentional.

Although, I believe what sets me apart is that I understand art is not used just to be political, expressive, educational, but it represents people. What we create and what I create as an artist, is for the people. I also want people to know that what I create is not reserved for certain people, and not just for my creative outlet, but it’s for all. We are all deserving of some art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a real homebody! But- I’m happy to show them the beautiful creeks and nature that Atlanta has! Sweetwater Creek State Park is a good one. If this friend of mine is more of a city-person, I’d take them to some theaters to catch some ongoing shows. Synchronicity theater, 7 stages, Theatrical Outfit, Stage Door theater and Alliance are some to start with!

Somewhere to eat- I really want to go to The Companion on Marietta Rd! I always drive by this place when I’m commuting back home, and I’m always stuck at this intersection, because of traffic. My goodness the smell is deathly! I’m taking them here, just so I can try it out. Kidding, I’m sure it’s an amazing place worth taking new people here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)! When I say SCAD, I talk about the curriculum, faculty, vendors, projects I came across, my fellow creative members who embodied SCAD with me. Shoutout to Stage Door Theater for believing in a young professional who just jumped into the industry. Your generosity of giving me an opportunity to design the set and props for your beautiful show, Tuesdays with Morrie, it is recognized and appreciated.
Shoutout to Synchronicity Theater for letting me explore my creativity and culture that I cannot possibly detach myself from, and further on cherishing that part of me wholeheartedly. Couldn’t be more thankful.

Shoutout to Bold Catering & Design for uplifting my being as a creative member, thank you Jenn, thank you Design team:)

Shoutout to the greatest supporters of my life- my parents! Would not be having this interview, if I hadn’t talked about my life with you, dreamed of great things and never been belittled of dreaming, been understood of who I am as I am.
I could honestly keep going, my past year has been full of grateful moments, but I’ll make sure these shoutouts are sent to the right people at the right time.

Website: https://sophieim.wixsite.com/setdsgn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophie.im_art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-im-hs/

Image Credits
Vera Erfle