In July 2012, during the "Creative Strategies" course at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Professor Fridolin Beisert gave the students a task: to redesign the popsicle. While others were thinking about flavors and packaging, a student named Andrew Kim decided to think outside the box. Within three days, Andrew Kim created something unique. However, his project wasn't about designing a new popsicle but rather rebranding a software company. His work was titled "The Next Microsoft".
After posting his bold, futuristic design on his blog, it quickly caught the attention of tech media outlets. The Verge, ReadWriteWeb, TechCrunch, Fastcompany, and Slashgear all reported on it, expressing surprise and admiration. Andrew Kim's talent also caught Microsoft's eye. In January 2013, he announced that he had become an employee of Microsoft.
On October 30th this year, Microsoft launched a new webpage called "Stories," promoting the company culture through storytelling. Andrew Kim's story was one of them.
Before joining Microsoft, Andrew Kim often shared various ideas on his personal blog. But now, he has had to adapt to the confidentiality of work life. When asked why he chose Microsoft, he said, "It seemed like a good time. The Surface tablet had been announced but not released, Windows 8 and Windows Phone were emerging. Microsoft was talking about major changes, and all its fans were discussing them. All eyes were on Microsoft."
His work drew the attention of tech companies and advertising agencies. "My inbox was full," he said, "That's when I realized how powerful the internet can be." After interviewing with many companies, he found that he liked Microsoft's Xbox team. He considered dropping out of school but ultimately decided to take more courses to graduate early.
Due to the inability to talk too much about his work, Andrew Kim spoke about his life instead. His apartment is very sparse, styled as a tribute to his favorite color (white) and his favorite movie (2001: A Space Odyssey). "A friend came over recently and said, 'This is the whitest room I've ever seen. Why is everything white?'" he said, "It's very white. It's quite empty—I own very few things. Some people say it's a bit cold—my apartment lacks warmth."
"For me, it is..." he paused to think, "Yes. I think it's cold, but I like cold. I like cleanliness. I like space. I like the future. I like science fiction. I love *2001: A Space Odyssey*."
Andrew Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea, and spent his childhood in Ottawa and British Columbia. He once wanted to become a professional dinosaur painter. However, when he received a blue iPod mini, his interest in technology and industrial design was ignited. His parents were very supportive. Besides buying him electronics, they sometimes even let him take sick days so he could work on his projects at home. "Everything I asked for, they bought for me. I think they knew it would benefit my future. They bought me things, and then I would take them apart. I was really good at that."
At 15, he designed a peculiar slider phone named "Butterfly." Gizmodo reported on it. "I posted it on some forums, and it spread from there," he said, "That's when I started getting interested in showcasing my work on the internet."
He promised to do his best at Microsoft. As for why he chose Microsoft, he wrote on his personal blog, "When making the final decision, I wanted to work somewhere I was truly interested in. Working at a company is like getting married. It becomes a fundamental part of your life. If you look at Microsoft's moves in recent years, you'll find it's exciting, and it has nothing to do with which ecosystem you prefer."