Kimmy Bartle Koh
Artist / Writer / Design Director of CHANI
Los Angeles, CA / Seoul / Lima
www.kimmybartle.com
instagram @kimmybartle @kimmybartle.zip
linkedin
are.na
Q What do you do?
“I’m an art director and designer by day, and a writer by night. (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡ ”
By day, I’m the Design Director at CHANI, an astrology app, where I lead visual direction across digital, product, and print.
After hours, I'm the head writer and narrative designer for an in-development otome game.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Honestly, it all began when my nonna taught me how to shade with colored pencils and make patterns with cut-up potato stamps. Or <i>maybe</i> it was the fact that my dad is a book editor, and I spent more time in his PageMaker files than I did on MyScene.com
No, but really, it all converged. I always knew I wanted to do this, and I’ve always liked homework. So, I started studying graphic design by sneaking into a college-level web design and coding class the summer before sixth grade (it’s fine, I’m fine). Later came my BFA at Toulouse Lautrec (still my favorite place ever) in Lima, Peru, and eventually I crossed continents back to LA to earn my MFA at Otis College of Art + Design. While there, I collected study-abroad stints at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam, and LUCA School of Arts in Ghent.
As a Third Culture Kid, switching places and cultures has always been my normal. Luckily for me, it turns out that’s perfect training for this career. Somewhere in the middle of my studies and weird studio projects, I realized I could turn code-switching and mixed references into a creative language of its own, and I’ve run with it ever since. That perspective has carried me through startups, agencies, and in-house teams. My client list includes Samsung, The Container Store, HoMedics, CHANI, among other brands I used to scribble about in my diary with glitter gel pens.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
By embracing quirks instead of toning them down! 。.:☆*:･'(*⌒―⌒*))) My design voice naturally blends discipline with sparkle.
My cat has a cameo on my portfolio (type any random word on my 404 page to unlock the magic), and it has charmed more clients than I can count. Another fun example has been that I strive to keep interviews genuine to my personality. I once told a Snapchat recruiter I grew up with a pet llama, and she stayed on the call just to hear more. Beyond the portfolio match, genuine stories like this tend to open doors to more interviews than any cold email.
Visually, I lean into color and whimsy. I grew up across Peru’s coast, Amazon jungle, and mountains, and those vibrant palettes are always in my work. I also love weaving in references from early-internet aesthetics. I was that kid sneaking into MSN Messenger chats with coding legends and memorizing hover-effect CSS from the webmaster of a Hilary Duff fansite.
Q What are you working on right now?
A YA novel about art school kids. <3
Q What’s your style?
I say this all the time, but if Marie Kondo, Dr. Seuss, and Cher Horowitz fused into one person, that would be my creative alter ego. I love building a little mythology around everything I touch! Sprinkling easter eggs via code or through animation, making work self-referential, and tying threads together like one big magnum opus.
For example: HoMedics’ new branding uses my favorite shade of golden yellow in the palette I built around my favorite time of day — morning. The Container Store at The Grove (RIP) reflected my art direction, born from daydreaming about The Home Edit organizing my studio space during quarantine. And in the CHANI app, you’ll inevitably find my cat tucked somewhere in the meditations.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Writing! Creating immersive worlds and characters is where I want to spend more time. My husband, best friend, and I founded an indie game developing studio in 2023 and we’ve won grants and gone to GDC, so I'm always thinking about what comes next.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Posting on social media. I have two hard drives (and counting…) of work I keep meaning to share, but after spending all day creating, I’d rather retreat into my cave and cross-stitch.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Posting on social media. (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) And negotiating timelines for me!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I'd like to sit across from 17-year-old Kimmy, in her first college freshman class, and tell her two things:
1. "Learn the rules, yes, but don’t cage yourself. You can experiment, combine crafts, and still arrive where you want just in time. You're on no one else's timeline, only your own."
2. "Please don't get a bob."
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Balancing dual creative careers. I know my pace and rhythm with design, but my “come to Jesus” Saturn return moment was realizing I needed to carve space to write more. I’d love to talk with someone who’s navigated strong parallel passions without losing either.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Design: I always love a logo, UX/UI, or packaging project I can knock out over a weekend. It keeps me fresh.
Writing: Narrative design for otome games and YA books. I’m on a quest for an agent (knock on wood, throw salt over my shoulder, squint at the new moon).
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I recently designed a layered, cinematic-style logo for an upcoming webcomic created by video game industry veterans from EA and Jam City. I can’t wait to see that story out in the world.
Dream client list:
- a plant-based or gluten-free food brand
- stationery / paper goods brand
- a K-pop idol group
- clean skincare brands
- dating sim games
- tea brands with an array of flavors
- branding or event design for a design conference or convention
Q: What is your rate?
Budgets vary depending on scope, but as a starting point, websites and brand identity projects typically begin around $3k. For hourly, email me.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
LinkedIn messages have led to long-term clients, so that’s always welcome. You can also fill out the form on my website or email me at hey@kimmybartle.com with a clear project scope (bonus points for a funny GIF).
Q Who is a creative you admire?
@patsukoh / www.patsukoh.com — Patrick is a product, packaging, and jewelry designer, and the most meticulous creative I know! You’ve probably seen toys he’s made for Spin Master and Wham-O!, or picked up food packaged in his designs at Sprouts and Amazon Fresh. (He also designed our engagement ring.)
@vitaminasgraficas / www.carlamontalvo.com — Carla is an illustrator, background artist and animator. She’s worked with Cartoon Network, Apple TV, Penguin Random House, to name a few. Her art fills my home and inspires me daily.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Always channel your inner tween self. ฅ(•ㅅ•❀)ฅ
This member profile was originally published in September 2025.