I’m Lee Eun-mi, the head of the space design team at Neo Value Product Development Headquarters. Currently, Neo Value is working to increase the value of the product through design and construction management in the field of commercial environment, interior design, sign and space production.
Lee Eun-mi, Team leader at space designing
Q. What kind of career have you built at NEOVALUE?
In 2017, NEOVALUE joined the content planning team at a time when it was planning direct contents of Alleyway Gwanggyo. Since then, I have worked in the initial operation team before and after the opening of Alleyway Gwanggyo, and have been working in the space design team of the Product Development Headquarters since 2019.
Q. What made you join NEOVALUE?
I worked in design practice at an interior design company for more than 10 years, and moved to an ordering company to work in interior design and construction management of directly managed brand stores for 5 years. I got to know Neo Value when I was thinking about expanding my career from my main job to planning. At that time, Neo Value created a new brand called Allyway and planned direct content to enter it, so I thought it fit well with my career direction. I was able to experience everything from the planning stage when the brand was first created after joining the company to the stabilization stage after opening. Currently, I am in charge of space design and use both design and planning capabilities.
Working as a lifestyle developer
Q. Please introduce what the team does.
The space design team is working on the design and design of products made by NEOVALUE. In the project planning stage, space planning and design-related work is carried out, and when construction starts, site design, construction management work, and partial renewal work are carried out in the operating space. We will also participate in all tasks that require space design, such as Neo Value office space renewal and office relocation, which are carried out as a project.
Q. What is Eunmi’s job?
I am in charge of interior design and design of the new development products, construction management, and improvement of the business environment of the business site. Currently, the construction of Seongsu-dong, Hongdae, and Ikseon-dong projects in downtown Seoul has begun and is undergoing design review. We are investigating the trends of the products we are planning for the new project and reviewing the design direction in many ways.
Q. What are the pros and cons of working as a lifestyle developer?
The interior industry, which was previously affiliated with, had many projects within an average of one year from design to construction. Most of the projects implemented by NeoValue are usually large projects for four to five years, or at least a year. That’s how much you can plan and execute everything from start to end of the project
The advantage is that you can do various tasks in all processes such as architecture, electricity, equipment, and interior design. But at the same time, it can be a disadvantage for some people because they require a spirit of challenge beyond their field of work. As the duration of one project is long, it is good that you can think about it more intensely.
Q. What major/competencies do you need for work?
As an architecture or interior design major, you should have an understanding of space and design drawings. Having practical experience in design and construction supervision will help you build up your capabilities. Basically, if you major in architecture and interior design, you can say that you have competence. Since the knowledge and practice learned in school are another world, I would recommend you to gain practical work experience in the field through interns.
Q. What kind of colleague do you want to work with?
I like colleagues who are ready to try new things and have a positive mind the most. I’ve often told you not to be afraid of work. Rather than avoiding what you are good at and what you are familiar with, I think you can broaden your perspective and develop problem-solving skills through challenges. I think it’d be nice if you had a positive mindset that you wouldn’t be afraid of challenges and could pull off the process well.
My lifestyle
Q. Please introduce your daily routine at NEOVALUE.
When I go to work in the morning, I prepare coffee that will turn on the office worker mode and check the things to do on the day, meetings, meeting schedules, and incoming mails. After that, I briefly check the things that I need to check with the team members. We usually have a meeting or work outside in the morning, so we proceed with the work according to the schedule. Lunch is used as a time to share personal and work stories with colleagues at the headquarters as much as possible. In the afternoon, I also work again (laughs) and leave work after writing down what I have to do the next day in my diary before work. As I am an analog person, I only check the main schedule with Google Calendar and record all the details in my diary.
Q. What kind of lifestyle do you have?
I live a different lifestyle on and off mode for office workers on weekdays and weekends. I rarely make personal schedules during the week. I tend to go home early to exercise and sleep early so that I don’t interfere with my work. I have various hobbies on weekends. Fortunately, my husband and I have similar tastes, so we go to good restaurants, look for new attractions, get ideas, relieve stress, and have a time
The Future of the City We Draw
Q. What do you think a sustainable city is like?
Recently, I’ve been studying a sustainable city for my work. I think the new people-centered urban culture that Neo Value pursues will eventually be a sustainable city. In order for people to be central, the environment we use, the hard-asset, has to be built on sustainability. I think it should be included in the product that Neo Value makes after all. I keep thinking about what kind of method there is.
To me, a lifestyle developer is a lifestyle designer!
Depending on what kind of environment you create, I think you can design the lifestyle of people who use the space. Designing a space is a suggestion based on the customer’s lifestyle
I think we can develop our lives in a better direction.
Product Development (Architectural Planning)
[Making a product that’s different from Neo Value]
– Review business feasibility by analyzing the development conditions of the new site.
– Review development directions and establish appropriate development strategies.
– We plan financial structures and raise business funds through cooperation with securities firms and management companies.
– We sell the developed product and manage the distributor until moving in.
– Establish and implement liquidity strategies such as selling assets.