Hye Jin Chung

Hye Jin Chung

Illustrations / Digital Art NEW YORK
Hye Jin Chung is an award-winning illustrator based in New York. She draws inspiration from observing the diverse gestures and expressions of people and animals-especially dogs and cats- within the city’s countless faces and stories. Lush greenery, bold blooms, and abundant foliage also play an important role in her visual world.

AI Statement

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in our lives, she continues to reflect on the value of human-made work. While technological shifts bring uncertainty, she believes that what we ultimately cherish are things shaped by human hands. By continuing to honor the beauty and meaning of human-created work, she hopes we can preserve the essence of human creativity while gently learning to coexist with AI.

Whimsical, Character-Driven Puzzle Art

Hye Jin Chung’s illustrations have a warmth and narrative quality that makes each puzzle feel like a scene from a story you want to know more about. These elements come together most fully in her puzzle projects, where lively characters, animals, and vibrant plant life intertwine to create richly layered scenes. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, where she was selected for its annual competition and served as a juror. She has collaborated with clients including Google Pay and Warby Parker, and recently completed illustrations for a promotional brochure for a new mixed-use commercial building in Fukuoka.

Hye Jun Chung's compositions are packed with small details - patterned textiles, stacked books, curious pets, window views into other rooms - and the color palettes lean warm and inviting. There’s a handmade quality to the work that feels personal without being naive.

The subjects vary but share a domestic, cozy sensibility. You’ll find interior scenes, holiday celebrations, pets, and seasonal moments. Several designs feature dogs or cats as central characters, which has made her work popular in our cats and dogs puzzle collection as well.

Formats

The collection spans 1000-piece standard puzzles, a 500-piece design, a panoramic format, and a foil-accented puzzle. The panoramic offers a wider composition that suits Chung’s tendency toward scene-building - more room for her layered environments and narrative details.