How Aulling Atelier’s Da Yoon Jung Built a Floral Career Across 13 Countries

Korea offers horticulture majors in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

I majored in horticulture from the age of 20 and earned a master's degree in floral decoration from Korea University Graduate School, the country's leading graduate school.

I first stepped into the world of floral design through German design.

Over the following years, I traveled to several European countries to learn floral arranging techniques, and then returned to Korea to study traditional Korean flower arranging. (Korean traditional flower arranging uses a kenzae method of inserting flowers, emphasizing the beauty of the space.)

I am a floral artist who has studied horticulture and floral design for about 25 years since I was 20.

Aullingatelier, conveying a naturalistic feel, was created by extracting and combining the Korean word meaning “to harmonize” (어우러지다). This name originated from the most important perspective and viewpoint for florists, as flowers stand at the intersection of space, human experience, and wholeness, where harmony must always be considered.

My design journey begins with this brand philosophy. I aim to express the inherent lines of nature in an original, systematic, and harmonious way. I always strive to create harmonious works by layering the movement of flowers’ various colors and patterns to add softness and elegance. Based on this brand philosophy, I founded a flower school and share my vision of flowers with people around the world.

When I entered university at 20, I began majoring in horticulture.

Horticulture is a field of study somewhat different from flower design.

It is the study of learning about things such as the color of roses and how to prolong their lifespan. From that point on, I became interested in flowers and began studying floral design at a Korean floral design academy.

While attending university and graduate school, I traveled between Korea and Europe, exploring a wide range of flower design genres.

I have also worked as a staff member in various sectors of the flower industry in Korea.

After going through all of this, I launched the brand at 29.

Since I was 29, I have spent about 15 years developing my own flower design techniques and skills, and teaching and sharing the philosophy and spirit of floristry with the world.

This year marks 25 years since I entered the flower industry.

Since entering university at 20, I have walked a path of flowers, starting with a major in horticulture. At that time, the word “florist” did not even exist in Korea. At this point, I had already traveled abroad and seen the profession of a florist, and I was captivated by the professionalism and creativity of this work in beautifully creating moments.

I wanted to firmly establish this profession in Korea, and I have been working hard toward that goal.

I am currently working to connect traditional Korean floral arrangement techniques with European floral design, developing a new style unique to Korea and promoting it to the world.

I want to help develop the profession of floristry in Korea into a full-fledged flower art career and create opportunities for Korean flower artists to work worldwide.

It has already been 14 years since I began working overseas.

The genre of European design is already well established.

There is also a genre of American design.

Germany is also precise in its design genre.

Japan also has the Ikebana genre.

However, while mastering traditional Korean flower arranging, I learned the unique aesthetics of Korean floral design. As a Korean, I identify as Korean. Therefore, I focused on expressing Korea’s unique beauty through floral design while newly interpreting it by incorporating the German and European designs I had studied. I believe this is why people around the world are interested in and focusing on this new design.

In other words, the design I am currently working on is a completely new genre, different from what I have been doing, and I believe this will feel fresh and appealing to people around the world.

My school is not just a place that teaches floral techniques.

Therefore, based on the two courses—the basic and master courses—it helps practitioners engage in essential practice, so intensive workshop-style classes are held at the Korean school during the spring and fall seasons.

In addition, among Korean government agencies, there is a certification course accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. An international certification course is offered so that participants can study this systematically and obtain a certification number recognized by the Korean government.

Flowers are part of nature.

Therefore, I believe that the process of understanding nature is the most important in the first place.

In addition, students are required to learn and master essential skills for flower design at a basic level over a certain period of time.

In addition, this is a professional occupation and an artistic endeavor toward becoming an artist. To grow as an artist, you must have a solid, unique world of your own.

To do so, they need a deep understanding of themselves and, based on that, must develop their own design world and step into the world.

I am truly working with participants from a wide range of countries. Asia, the United States, Latin America, Europe, etc

Because each country has a different culture, the ways of expressing design also differ.

Also, since the floral materials differ from country to country, this has brought me tremendous growth. These are different materials from the ones I receive from Korea's four seasons each time.

Therefore, these materials from various countries expand my worldview and foster the growth of my design vision.

Flowers are a form of art.

To share your own design with people around the world, you must have a solid worldview and your own philosophy.

In other words, I want to say that this means you need time to deeply understand yourself, and based on that, you can firmly establish yourself as a designer.

Also, I believe that the ability to teach is important to promote flower design. The art of lecturing is a different discipline from the art of floral design. You’ll also need the skill to communicate your thoughts clearly.

Also, establishing your own design worldview requires a basic foundation of design skills.

Since this is a profession that requires long periods of self-development and relentless effort, you must approach it with perseverance and courage.