Get To Know Haley

We’re thrilled to welcome Haley Hayan Song to NeigerDesign as our new Senior Designer! Haley brings a wealth of talent to our team, and we can’t wait for you to get to know her unique style, creative insights, and what makes her tick as a designer. We asked Haley some fun questions to give you a peek into her creative world—here’s what she had to say:

Do you have a particular design style or philosophy that influences your work?
I value legibility and simplicity. I think that simplicity is powerful in captivating the viewers and sending a clear message without over-complicating things. I've also been drawn to Bauhaus design.

If you could collaborate with any designer or artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Oh, that would be Jaeseok Yi. He’s a Korean designer/advertising director and the first designer I really got introduced to as a child. His work is actually what inspired me to choose graphic design as my career. His work has such a powerful ability to focus on sending concise messages that are unforgettable—using copy and visual play. His work often advocates public awareness and creating a world of a better place to live. It’s pretty much aligned with my own passions as a designer. I’d be thrilled to hang out with him and see how his brain works—like, what does his brainstorming process look like?

How do you stay inspired and keep your design skills sharp? Any go-to resources or routines?
Google is my best friend. I spend a lot of time researching current design trends and checking out the process of how other designers work. It’s a great way to stay on top of what’s fresh and find new inspiration.

What’s your favorite part of the design process, and why?
Definitely the creation part. I love seeing blank white space be filled with type, images, color, layout… watching it all come together into one comprehensive piece.

Any design trends you’re loving right now? 
I’m really into 3D typography, flowy-handwritten styles, and free-flowing layouts.

Who or what inspires your creativity, inside or outside the design world?
Talks with my parents inspire me. They are such energetic and creative artists who are always searching for ways to help and teach others. Their experimental and bold works and ways of their life keep me moving forward as a designer. I love how they incorporate the Korean language and traditions into their art works. They live a very interesting life—traveling the world for various exhibitions, teaching art and the Korean language to students—they build their lives according to their passions.

What’s your go-to tool or software for design work?
Easily Adobe. I live in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop pretty much equally—depending on what the project calls for.

How do you approach creative challenges or moments of 'designer’s block'?
I love experimentation. I’ll play around with the assets I have and sketch out various layouts or test different colors and fonts. I also look at what other designers have done and see how they resolve different design problems. It helps me get unstuck and think outside the box.

Any fun hobbies or interests outside of work that might surprise us?
I’m a runner—I also love diving into books about marketing, branding, and design. Oh, and I always love a good shopping trip downtown Chicago!

What excites you most about joining our team as a Senior Designer?
I’m already loving the collaborative environment at NeigerDesign. Everyone is super supportive, and Carol and Jonathan have been especially amazing leaders. I’ve learned so much from them already. I’m really excited about how we all come together to talk about design and value the work we do. It’s a great environment for creativity!

We’re excited to see the unique touch Haley will bring to our projects and can already tell she’ll make a fantastic addition to the NeigerDesign team—we’re lucky to have her on board. Keep an eye out for her work in upcoming projects, and don’t hesitate to say hello next time you’re in the office!