Grace Kwon

Grace Kwon is a Lecturer at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York and a Senior Service Designer at Spotify. With a background in visual communication design and classical painting, she bridges creative storytelling with strategic design to address systemic inequities. Her work spans private and public sectors, collaborating with organizations like SAP, UN-Habitat, Purpose, and the Donors of Color Network.

• BA in Visual Communication Design, Yonsei University Wonju Campus
• MFA in Design for Social Innovation, School of Visual Arts

Her research focuses on challenging the limitations of Design Thinking and human-centered design through equity-driven frameworks. She explores how design can disrupt power dynamics in philanthropy, support gig worker rights, and foster home ownership for marginalized communities. At SVA, she teaches Mapping and Visualization Design and Community Design, emphasizing systems thinking and global perspectives.

Grace’s career highlights include developing a Community Design curriculum for nonprofit leaders, leading co-design initiatives with North Korean refugee youth, and advising corporate and nonprofit clients on digital transformation. She remains actively engaged in critical design education and social impact projects.