It’s an apt coincidence that Kenny Yong Soo Son’s initials spell “KYSS,” which phonetically sounds like “KISS” – the principle of “Keep it Simple, Stupid.” This minimalist philosophy is at the core of the elegant products designed and produced by Kenny’s studio, Studiokyss. He says of his work, “I like simple pieces that say what they need to say and that do the job they need to do. And in personality, I’m like that as well, so I guess I make work that resembles who I am.”
Studiokyss founder, Kenny Yong Soo Son.
Kenny recently graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with a Master of Design and has already produced an impressive collection of handcrafted objects, ranging from a 3D desktop mirror made of concrete to a range of geometric silver jewellery. Kenny, who was born in Korea and grew up in Sydney, spent the last year in Seoul undertaking an Australia-Korea Foundation Scholarship. He learnt traditional Korean metalwork techniques that he will now share with other designers and students in Australia.
Kenny has a strong desire to create objects that people connect to and interact with in their daily lives – “every piece, every design, aesthetic, shape, form, colour, material – they all come from things that I associate with on a daily basis,” he says. His round concrete containers, while strikingly beautiful, are intended to store loose change, keys or even spices in the kitchen.
Desktop Mirror – a hexagonal mirror set in solid concrete.
The work of Studiokyss celebrates the inherent qualities of materials. The Cu Planter-Vessels are intended to age gradually – over time the natural qualities of the copper will be exposed. Although Kenny is most experienced in working with metals, he also uses concrete and various timber species in his products. The combination of two materials is also often seen in his work, for example, a concrete paperweight wrapped in brass, or concrete containers with timber lids.
There is something architectural about the work of Studiokyss – perhaps it is the choice of industrial materials and geometric shapes. Kenny talks about Tadao Ando, a Japanese master of concrete architecture, as an influence on his work. “The classic lines, shapes and attention to detail of Ando are all relevant to the way I design,” he says.
Now back in Australia with a set of new skills, Kenny will refocus on developing Studiokyss’s refined range of small-scale wares. The pieces feature classic shapes, and the designs and materials they are made from are chosen for longevity – adding delight to the simple tasks of daily life, such as checking your hair in the mirror before you go out, or dropping your keys when you get home from work in a place that you’ll remember.
