Ooh Yuni is a graphic designer at her design studio O-O-H, and co-founder of the feminist book publisher, Baume à l’âme. Her work ranges from publishing and book design, to branding and web design. She is also a founding member of the Feminist Designer Social Club (FDSC), a supportive community of women graphic designers in South Korea.
Which three books would you recommend?
Reclaim the Language: How to Deal with a Sexist Lee Min-Gyeong
This is the very first book Baume à l'âme published and I recommend it as a primer on feminist issues. It is a manual on how to confront and be assertive towards people with misogynistic behaviours and patriarchal beliefs. By showing me how to become more outspoken and brave, it gave me the confidence to keep moving forward with a wider vision and renewed energy.
Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists? Linda Nochlin
I’ve learned about structural barriers for women artists from this text. It points out the masculine process in the birth of greatness and the myth of genius in creativity. Having learned these perspectives, I’ve been trying to find ways to give respect and put a spotlight on female designers without following the traditional, patriarchal way. And I’m sure you can relate to this even if you’re not in the creative fields.
Egalia's DaughtersGerd Brantenberg
Egalia is a nation in which the gender roles of women and men have been completely reversed. This story reflects the opposite of the real world. The narratives and descriptions shake up everything that we’ve thought of as the absolute norm—from the use of language to the structure of society. This book allowed me to practice critical thinking about gender discrimination through its wit and brilliant imagination.
Whose reading list are you most curious about?
Jae Jae (재재), broadcast producer and entertainer; Maki MiyaKawa (宮川真紀), editor and owner of Taba Books; Jae-young Book Repair (재영책수선): book repair specialist; Kay Jun (전가경), researcher, writer, owner of Aprilsnow Press; and Yeonjin Oh (오연진): visual artist and founding member of Louise the Women.