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James Chae

@drchae

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Korean American designer and educator based in Seoul
Publishing @pudding.label
Podcasting @graphic_support_group

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006.puddingprojects.com

Pudding 006: Periphery is the sixth project published by Pudding Label. Periphery dives deeper into the world of sound experience. Born out of discussions with the writer and anthropologist Josh Berson and built in collaboration with designer Chris Hamamoto, the project is a web-based publication that explores contemporary aural and spatial dimensions. The project presents three original texts and sound pieces by Josh Berson, Tiger Dingsun and Jonathan Castro. Each text has a unique form with accompanying sound compositions that range from digital loops, environmental sound collages to an immersive 40-minute sonic journey.
Over the course of developing Periphery the world around us has shifted dramatically. Tiger Dingsun’s oral history of aural surveillance was exposed when 404 Media reported on Meta’s data capture on smart phones. Again, we all experienced a moment of tacit acknowledgement and stepped back into the algorithm. Yet, Josh Berson calls upon us to take inventory of the sensation of hearing. Drawing from his experience with field recordings, his writings are moments of document and reflection that span the history of other field recorders. Jonathan Castro shares an excerpt from his work “The Locus”, a writing and sound experience that meanders the soul of Amsterdam’s streets. During the pandemic Castro took on walking as part of his creative and spiritual practice. Through his work you can feel the mediation of emotion and thought prowling through an unknown concrete urban space.
Collectively, Periphery is an experiment that urges the reader to re-form a relationship with sound, text and their smartphone. The publication was designed as a mobile-first experience and Hamamoto has developed features that augment and guide attention to and from the texts and sounds. Similar to how momentary our daily use of smartphone technology is, the publication asks for contemplation and focus, while adapting and mimicking the subconscious scroll.
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Credits
Editor: James H. Chae
Designer: Chris Hamamoto @hamamoto
Web Development: Chris Hamamoto
Illustrations: James H. Chae
Publisher: Pudding Label
Object Collaboration: fio Press @fio_press by @drchae

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7 days ago

It’s James here. A few months back a friend sent me a text to an article with the headline “I lost my job, got divorced, and had to move within weeks. I found purpose in building a layoff support tool.” The situation sounded simultaneously shocking and familiar. With news of layoffs at companies like Microsoft and Meta along with daily debates about the impact of AI on labor across the globe, Amanda Snyder Cathey’s story was compelling. She recognized the gap in resources between a company’s human resource emails and the actual process of securing resources after a disruptive employment experience.

I’ve been in the “fog” of a layoff before and Amanda’s empathy and positive resourcefulness brought me hope for the current moment of confusion many designers face today. If you or someone you know is dealing with a job transition please share her tool RIF Surfer. Amanda also recommends Never Search Alone to find support in navigating job searches.

We R Hear 4 U.

RIF Surfer - rif-surfer.netlify.app
Never Search Alonge - www.neversearchalone.org by @drchae

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a month ago

“Timing is everything” is as much of a cliché as “you only live once”, but behind those tired phrases is truth. When Bryan and I spoke with @abzchen the timing was right. She was celebrating two months since leaving a job at Apple and beginning her independent practice as @studio.present.tense

Throughout the conversation, Abby walked us through the tremendous amount of courage, deliberation and negotiation with her self that led up to that moment. She shared how she was able to give herself a chance and described the many barriers along the way. It was such a pleasure to share this intimate conversation that mirrors many talks many of us have in our careers and working lives.

Congratulations again Abby on opening Studio Present Tense. Check out her work!

Again, thank you all for listening

We R here 4 U. by @drchae

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2 months ago

Our latest conversation is with @naima_labureau — type designer, researcher, educator, and someone whose practice continually asks who typography is designed for, who gets represented, and whose histories become visible.
Together we talk about archives, decolonizing typography, navigating multiple languages, teaching Arabic type in design education still shaped by Latin-centric tools, and the slow work of expanding what graphic design can hold.
It also became a conversation about collaboration, research as design practice, and what it means to make space for scripts, stories, and people that have too often been pushed to the margins.
A huge thank you to Naïma for her generosity, openness, and all the questions she continues to bring into the field.

Artwork: @imujabd
Typeface: La Contraste by @naima_labureau by @drchae

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3 months ago

2026-2027 한국타이포그라피학회 활동을 이끌어주실 운영진을 소개합니다.

🌐
국제교류위원장
⠀
제임스 채 James H. Chae
@drchae
puddingprojects.com

🌫
제임스 채는 현재 서울에서 거주하는 미국 교포 디자이너입니다. 디자인 작업을 하면서 교육자로 활동하고 있습니다. 홍익대학교 디자인컨버전스전공 조교수로 있으며 상업과 예술사이에 디자인과 디자이너의 역할을 고민하고 있다.

James H. Chae is a Korean American designer and educator based in Seoul, Korea. His work deals with the designer’s medial position in relation to consumerism, commercial image production and global politics. He is an Assistant Professor at Hongik University and maintains an independent design practice that involves editorial and web design, in addition to self-initiated works.

💬
1. <True Colors>, Digital C-prints
2. <7 Acting State> Digital fabric prints
3. <Tone in Tongue>, Digital print by @drchae

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5 months ago

Practice, practice, practice.

Whether or not practice makes perfect, it’s about putting in the hours, the work, the sweat, the tears and the reflections.

James sat down with @bryancollins (Poetic State) and designer and illustrator @alexkirsch21 for a calm and open conversation. Alex shared how drawing and soccer have been constants in his life since childhood, even if those two worlds didn’t always intersect.

We talked about discipline, pressure, and what it means to keep showing up for yourself in sport, in design, and in life. Alex reflected on how those early experiences shaped the way he approaches his work today, and how he’s learned to navigate moving between different creative spaces.

Like many of our conversations, this one reminded us how much our practices are shaped by things outside of design and how those influences stay with us over time.

We’re really grateful to Alex for his openness and perspective, and to Bryan for joining us in holding the space.

Thanks for the support.
We R Here 4 U.

Artwork by @imujabd by @drchae

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6 months ago

COMING SOON!

Illustrations for Pudding 006: Periphery, a web publication exploring sound and space.
Edited by James H. Chae, design and developed by @hamamoto.
Presented here are three illustrations for the project.

MORE DETAILS TO COME. by @drchae

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6 months ago

We’re back for another season of Graphic Support Group. Kicking off for Season 6 is another episode of our beloved “Behind the Screen” series. If you haven’t heard it our first installment was with Hasan Askari.

This time we got to speak with LA print legend David Mayes. He’s long been a part of the LA design community, going beyond his role as a printer to be a steward of design in the city. He shared the development of his career and the many relationships he’s fostered through his work as a printer. David was honest and candid about the weight of being responsible for executing so many people’s work. Throughout the years he’s created lasting bonds and helped bridge the gap between printers and designers. His involvement in AIGA LA has added depth and meaning to his business and the community that’s grown around him. We’re so grateful for his story and helped us better understand the humanity behind the service. Be kind to your printers!

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This year we’ll be bringing some new voices to the podcast to join as co-hosts. Thank you all for supporting this project and we hope to grow the community of creativity and care.

Artwork by @imujabd by @drchae

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7 months ago

SEASON 5 FINALE!!! OFFER ALERT!!!
Before we begin we have a special message from @bryancollins and Poetic State
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Hey, listeners, I’m Bryan Collins, founder of Poetic State, and I’m a career coach who helps multidisciplinary creatives break through whatever is holding them back. If you’re stuck, unclear about your next steps or just ready to get outta your own way, I’d love to hear your story. We’re offering 30 minute discovery calls for the listeners of the podcast where we can talk about where you are, where you want to go, and your next action. Follow the link in the @graphic_support_group bio to book your session with me.
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Take him up on this and don’t miss out.
—
As we wrap up the year and our Season 5, we welcomed back Bryan Collins to help us work some stuff out. James admitted his suspicion of Bryan and recruiters. Drew lets off a little steam about the pressures of collaboration. Through it all Bryan was there with us and helping bring our attentions to the center.

Thank you all so much for supporting Graphic Support Group this year. We have had a chance to reflect on how great this podcast platform is and what it means to us.

We R Here 4 U. by @drchae

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a year ago

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a year ago

We’re back with another episode of Graphic Support Group and we’re filled with joy to share this one. Our guest @nontsimutiti "is a Zimbabwean born designer, visual artist, and educator whose conceptual approach to design spans the mediums of print, moving-image, web design, fine art, and community engagement." That introduction doesn’t even begin to capture the breadth of wisdom that Nontsi shared with us.

As the spring semester came to an end this past May (she is the current Chair of Director of Graduate Studies in Graphic Design at Yale University) the multidisciplinary designer spent a gracious couple of hours with us.

Her words moved us through the many worlds and spaces she occupies in her life. The conversation helped Drew and I to re-think some ideas about Modernism, community and representation that admittedly had us in knots over the years. Sometimes the complexity of the world has a simpler, more honest solution. We’re so happy to share this generous episode and hope it’ll bring some joy to the beginning of the fall. We hope you all will find some joy in the episode and maybe consider becoming a dragon slayer.

We R Here 4 U. by @drchae

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a year ago

The work of branding and strategy agency @porto_rocha needs little introduction. Founded by Leo Porto and Felipe Rocha after meeting and collaborating together in New York City, the studio has quickly grown and set a high standard for quality work. Drew and I have long wanted to have them on the podcast, but for many reasons we were hesitant to reach out. Even after being linked in their fantastic “annual report” Design Threads, we were still too shy to approach Leo and Felipe. But finally, this past spring, we sent an email and were honored to have them on as guests.

Leo and Felipe have managed to balance many parts of their lives and selves through their partnership. They were candid about the struggles, but spoke with a frank optimism about striving forward and respecting resources. We really appreciated their honesty, care and general openness about their experience. A lot of wisdom was shared, along with some tough questions about competition and perceptions that come with growing a business and studio culture. It was especially touching to hear about a recent project they completed for the @kunsthallebasel in Switzerland. For Leo, Felipe and the @porto_rocha team it was a beautiful full-circle project. As to why it was, you’ll just have to listen to the episode.

As always, thanks for listening.

We R here 4 U. by @drchae

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a year ago