Judy Lee
Judy Lee
Digital Creative / Multimedia Storyteller
Orange County, CA
www.theurbanroyal.wixsite.com/mysite
instagram @theurbanroyal
twitter @judysoeunlee
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“My self-proclaimed title (as of now) is digital storyteller and cross-media creative (however many ways you want to mix and match those terms). ”
My passion is in working with all mediums of art (performing, visual, literary) to help creative visions come to life, both mine and others'. My main focuses are media production (videos, vlogs, photos, design) or writing (copywriting, editing, blogs, articles, fiction). My aim in every project is to tell a story, whether it be a literal narration of someone's particular life experience (like my project Humans of Biola, an adaptation of Humans of New York for my college campus) or through featuring unique brands I support on my Instagram.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I realized I was a "freelancer" from my erratic work habit. Through all of my creative career, I've always been jumping from one project to the next. This may seem disorderly or counterintuitive, but it's actually helped me discover my greatest passions and strengths in the creative industry. It's also made me admit how much I love to dabble in a bit of everything. Sometimes I'll be inspired to write an article based on a random conversation with a friend. Other times I'll have a visual concept, a color scheme, a theme in mind for a video or photo project. I feel comfortable both behind-the-scenes and on-camera. All these culminated to the point where I realized I should start adding up these passion projects in a portfolio and create my brand, a style that encompasses what I love to do.
How do you stand out in your field?
My experience as a TCK (Third Culture Kid) growing up in multiple countries and wrestling with my identity, as well as working for the Global Student department at my school have shaped me to become a compassionate and empathetic advocate for the intercultural experience. My heart goes out to minorities and the marginalized who seek to express their particular pains and hardships through art and media. I particularly love seeing where culture and art collide, how our unique background and history influence our creativity. Through my life experiences, I feel an empathetic unity with, and feel apt to represent, various struggles such as mental health, disordered eating, broken families, and racial/ethnic minorities.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
In terms of fashion and media, I'm currently writing up a thesis on the effects of major social constructs on contemporary fashion. I'm also representing several skincare/cosmetic brands on my Instagram. In literary works, I'm seeking representation for my completed YA novel as well as working on a new contemporary one.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
Visually, I love colour (and yes, I say "colour." I'm from Canada.) It's the first thing I notice in a visual image. My brain automatically connects and unites objects through colour schemes. Warm palettes, particularly peach and salmon tones are my vibe. I even created a research project based on colour theory and personality (check out The Habit of Color on my website)
In writing, I find myself much more outspoken and argumentative than in real life. Maybe writing is my way of expressing those hidden emotions I keep to myself in everyday conversations. People often say I sound unexpectedly "strong" or "abrasive" in my articles, much more so than in my speech. I like to think of it as honest and real. I don't hold back on my opinions in writing, but I take issues that touch me deeply and seek a universal answer for all who face that particular struggle.
https://sola.network/article/redeeming-beauty-gods-standards
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I'm always torn between my nerdy writing and literature side versus my artsy design side. My favourite projects are where I can marry the two, but I think since I have much more experience in writing, I'd love to learn more practical skills and visual editing and design. I also hope I can expand these skills in not just creating behind a laptop all day, but marketing, collaboration, and management (believe it or not I'm an extrovert—unheard of for a writer!)
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Being in school and trying to find the time and energy for creative outlets isn't easy. Balancing academics, social life, and creativity is the biggest challenge as a student. I don't want to sacrifice my relationships, but I also want to take advantage of my education. It's especially hard to carve out time to devote to creative projects on top of all that when creativity seems like the last priority one everyone else's lists.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Cook. Feeding myself honestly probably takes up more time than it should. But taking care of my whole person is too important to sacrifice. If I could have someone cook me healthy, balanced meals (and occasionally not-so-balanced ones), I would have the ease and freedom to focus on more creative projects. Not that I would never cook for myself, since it's fun, but on a daily basis it would be nice to have my basic needs met without having to stress about the time it takes up.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I spent all my college career thinking I had to live for the next step forward. But through time, I learned that life isn't a staircase ascending upwards to a greater version of myself. Be faithful and diligent in the things you're given today, the opportunities and people you've been blessed with in the present. And school isn't everything. Education is a privilege and an advantage and it's meant to serve people, not the other way around. It's not worth sacrificing your mental and physical health to get that 4.0.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I think mental health and stress management in the workplace is crucial in maintaining balance and stability in any field. I'd love to talk to someone more about implementing stress management in my life, particularly in regards to deeper mental/emotional issues that affect me including disordered eating and cultural/racial identity struggles.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Representing brands particularly driven by/aimed at marginalized groups (female empowerment, immigrant identity, Asian-American experience) as well as working with media companies for creative content production. I'd love to collaborate with other creative, fun-loving, and diverse people with similar passions in telling the stories of underrepresented voices.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Most of my past projects have been on my own, which is one reason I'd love to try collaborating with other creatives. I'd love to play the role of a creative director for a project with a team of other talents in more practical skills like visual editing, design, photography, etc. to make a story or brand come to life.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Again, I haven't worked professionally enough to form a regular rate, but I'm flexible to different budgets. For a content advertisement video collaboration I was recently approached with, for example, I offered $50-$75 per video depending on its length. For editorial/copywriting I would offer an hourly rate of $20-25 as I'm still fairly new to the industry.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email is classic and professional. Text and DM is chill and modern. I can work with both. As long as you're straightforward about business and intentional about the relationship you expect with me, I'm open to virtually any mode of communication. Hit me up when inspiration sparks. Propose creative projects, and I may be interested in collaborating.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Knowing that the death of my creativity is not the death of me.
This member profile was originally published in November 2019.