Design fuses with technology for product innovation

Alongside advancements in technology, modern design is expanding in its scope and boundaries while evolving to meet consumer needs and lifestyles.　As the fusion of technology and design has given way to innovative products, Herald Corp. is showcasing five tech-savvy creations by Korean start-ups at the Herald Design Tech booth at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul until Sunday.Visitors to the Herald Design Tech booth inside DDP in Seoul learn about Spiki, a plastic recording device resembling a Po

Dec. 3, 2015

Creative, eye-catching goods available at Seoul Design Market

A silicon lamp resembling traditional Korean pottery, a ceramic pot designed to naturally amplify the sound of a smartphone inserted next to the plant and “bandoms” -- rubber bands shaped and packaged like, you guessed it, condoms.　These are some of the creative items and crafts produced by young, independent designers on display at the second annual Seoul Design Market, which is being held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul until Sunday.Visitors look at products at Seoul Design Market in Dongd

Dec. 3, 2015

[Design Forum] Experts explore emotion in tech, beauty

Understanding the emotional reaction of the consumer is crucial in both the beauty and tech industries, experts said at the Seoul Design Forum on Wednesday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza.　Speaking on the globalization of Korean beauty products and the distinctive characteristics of different foreign markets, makeup artist Seo Su-jin, CEO of cosmetics brand S2J, asserted that “simply imposing what we like about Korean beauty is not globalization.”　“Here, we prefer dewy, pale skin. But Western women p

Dec. 2, 2015

Seoul Design Week kicks off

The country’s largest public design festival kicked off Wednesday in Seoul with a variety of events to highlight innovative ideas and boost the design industry. Under the slogan “Seoul’s Design Wizard,” Seoul Design Week 2015 launched 16 diverse programs ranging from design markets, fairs and seminars to a networking party for designers and public. Some 230 local companies are expected to participate in the five-day festival. The second annual design event, run by Seoul Metropolitan Government’s

Dec. 2, 2015

[Design Forum] Seoul promotes itself as hotbed of creativity, innovation

Seoul Design Week 2015, the biggest celebration of creativity and innovation in design, kicks off Wednesday at various spots in Seoul. The second edition of the annual design festival presents more than 10 programs highlighting the unique ideas and products of young designers and entrepreneurs. Programs ranging from exhibitions, sales of design products and lectures by leading designers and entrepreneurs to a late-night networking party for designers and citizens will take place at Dongdaemun De

Dec. 1, 2015

Winter fashion forecast

For those rummaging through their closets for inspiration or hitting the shops for new bits of insulation against the chilly year’s end, The Korea Herald has pinpointed two fashion trends expected to prevail this winter. Left) Model sporting long coat and wide pants from clothing brand 8seconds (Samsung C&T Fashion); (Right) Model sporting khaki jogger pants from Style Men (Lotte.com)Coats, large and leanWith Korea’s coming months forecast to be less frosty than winters past, retail brands are s

Nov. 25, 2015

‘Design for the sake of people, not objects’

“The world is about people, not objects,” according to industrial design expert Arik Levy. That philosophy fuels his belief that design should focus on improving people’s everyday lives in new ways.“In the end, it’s only people that will help people,” said Levy, who opened a “Premium Talk” session held as part of the fifth Herald Design Forum in Seoul on Tuesday.Industrial designer Arik Levy (center) discusses the essence of good design with contemporary dancer Kim Seol-jin(right) during the Her

Nov. 11, 2015

[Design Forum] ‘People-oriented design improves life in new ways’

Though design is often discussed as a craft that walks the line between form and function, Israeli-born Paris-based contemporary designer Arik Levy holds a more unconventional understanding of the concept.Driven by a philosophy that “the world is about people, not objects,” Levy believes that design should focus on improving people’s everyday lives in new ways. His human-oriented philosophy is well reflected across his lighting, furniture and interior designs.Arik Levy (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea H

Nov. 10, 2015

[Design Forum] ‘Technology and art create synergy’

Technology and art, which seem to be from two different worlds, have been increasingly interconnected as the two fields merge to create unexpected innovations and push each other’s boundaries. Two figures standing on the opposite side of the technology-art spectrum ― founder of Pixar Alvy Ray Smith and media artist Lee Lee-nam ― spoke about successful convergences of the two fields in the seventh session “The Collaboration of Pixel and Art” at the Herald Design Forum 2015 on Tuesday in Seoul. Al

Nov. 10, 2015

[Design Forum] Forum to discuss design as platform for convergence, value creation

The Herald Design Forum 2015 is set to kick off Tuesday in Seoul, bringing together some of the world’s brightest minds in design to share their ideas and insights. The one-day celebration of creativity and innovation in design, scheduled to be held at Grand Hyatt Seoul, will invite 11 creative minds across diverse fields of design from architecture, art, and branding to 3-D printing, who will speak at seven lectures and discussions with design aficionados in Korea and at a networking dinner eve

Nov. 9, 2015

Gwangju Design Biennale aims to connect global networks

The Gwangju Design Biennale, Asia’s largest and oldest design biennale celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is eyeing an expanded role as a facilitator of exchanges among Asian countries in the field of design.  The monthlong festival of design, which opened Oct. 15 in the southern city of Gwangju, presents 12 exhibitions -- all based on local and global networks of designers. Held at the Gwangju Biennale exhibition hall, the event convenes some 3,900 Korean and foreign designers, about 1

Nov. 9, 2015

[Design Forum] Series of design events in store

Korea will hold a series of design fairs and business events in and around Seoul, starting with the Herald Design Forum on Tuesday. The Herald forum, to be held at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, will bring together 11 creative minds in diverse fields of design, ranging from architecture, art, food to 3-D printing, who will share their experience and insights with local audience. They include Randi Zuckerberg, founder of Zuckerberg Media and former marketing director at Facebook, Pritzker Prize-winn

Nov. 8, 2015

[Design Forum] Narrow cultural gap through design: industrial designer Levy

Arik Levy, a world-renowned industrial designer, said Korea’s design sector should keep working toward narrowing the communication and cultural gap between people.Arik LevyIn an interview with The Korea Herald, Levy said that this would take some time to develop using art and technology. But given Korea’s rapid progress in the field of design arts and technology, he said the country would be able to take that challenge.Best known for his signature “Rock” sculptures, the designer said he is drive

Nov. 8, 2015

[Design Forum] Shigeru Ban - innovator, humanitarian, architect

Shigeru Ban is no ordinary architect.Unlike conventional architects of this era, Ban does not only use iron or steel as the primary materials to structure houses, museums, community centers or churches.Shigeru BanHe uses paper tubes, cardboard, beer crates, containers and other inexpensive recycled materials to “design and rebuild” places and buildings devastated by natural disasters or conflicts such as earthquakes, tsunamis and civil wars.As he uses those materials so beautifully with an aesth

Nov. 6, 2015

[Design Forum] Tommy Li’s design anchored in black humor, Zen

Tommy Li, a branding designer known for his audacious visual designs and black humor, is one of Asia’s few designers with a global presence spanning across Hong Kong, China, Macau, Japan and Italy.The Hong Kong-based designer currently heads the Tommy Li Design Workshop, which was selected among the 10 best branding companies in China by Chinabico.com in 2010.He has received over 580 local and international awards for his innovative design concepts, including the Gold Pencil Award from the One S

Nov. 6, 2015

[Design Forum] ‘Create stories behind brands'

Global brand designer Bob van der Lee said South Korea’s public and private sectors have made tremendous progress in design over the years, but not yet in branding.Bob van der Lee (Total Identity)Korean companies are still focusing too much on branding their products around their features and qualities in an effort to boost sales, but not on developing stories behind those products, he said in an interview.They still need to work on creating their own unique identities and legacies that can appe

Nov. 6, 2015

[Design Forum] Entrepreneur seeks to bridge digital divide for the blind with design

In this digital world, information is becoming increasingly easier to access. But not for all. Such accessibility still falls far short for people with disabilities. Young entrepreneur Kim Ju-yoon has turned to the issue of discrimination in information accessibility and decided to tackle it with the power of technology and design. His belief in the fair distribution of digital benefits led him to create smartwatches for the blind that are light, affordable and as appealing as other smartwatches

Nov. 6, 2015

[Design Forum] Blurring lines between industrial design, art

This is the fifth in a series of articles introducing key features at the upcoming Herald Design Forum 2015 to be held in Seoul on Nov. 10. -Ed. 　Design today seems to be the horse that is pulling the cart. No industry can survive without it anymore.From leaning on design as a strategic marketing tool to subtly expressing a company’s signature values, industrial design has been constantly evolving to where it stands now.Contemporary sofa “Platform for Viccarbe” by Arik Levy (Courtesy of the desi

Nov. 6, 2015

[Design Forum] Design Thinking: How innovative designs change world

Design is about more than aesthetics. Its role has expanded to diverse areas of life, helping people live efficiently, safely and comfortably. It has brought innovations in all aspects of life, from consumption of products, living environment and use of technology to how we work in organizations. “Design impacts everything around us. Design means adding creativity into every aspect of our lives, not just choosing the color and form of a product,” said Janne Kyttanen, a designer and pioneer of 3-

Nov. 6, 2015

[Design Forum] 3-D printing designs every aspect of our lives

This is the fourth in a series of articles introducing key features at the upcoming Herald Design Forum 2015 to be held in Seoul on Nov. 10. ― Ed.Forget about the magic of unwrapping a bar of chocolate Charlie Bucket oh-so-dearly held in his hands in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” It is time to push the “print” button of the “Magic Candy Factory,” and voila! Gummies will start dropping out right in front of your eyes. Avoid stool, 2014 (jannekyttanen.com)Katjes, a German manufacturer of je

Oct. 30, 2015