Talks
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[Keynote Session 1] The Spirit of Success – Designing the Urban Quality of Life
[Prof. Dr. Peter Zec] Urbanization and City Challenges I'm happy to return to Seoul, a city I've known well since the late 1980s. This familiarity brings me here today to reflect on the DDP and World Design Capital Project outcomes. Urban populations continue to grow globally - 57% of people now live in cities worldwide, with developed nations showing even higher percentages: Japan at 92%, the US at 83%, Korea at 81%, and Germany at 77%. By 2050, this is expected to reach 68% globally. Cities attract people with their facilities, lifestyle, and entertainment options. However, cities face significant challenges. Climate change impacts are evident - from recent floods in Spain to Seoul's challenges with the Han River during heavy rains. While politicians may favor electric cars, they likely won't resolve our clean energy and air pollution concerns. Seoul leads in smart mobility, with what the mayor describes as the world's benchmark metro system. While modern cities increasingly use surveillance, it should focus on safety and urban understanding rather than tracking individuals as seen in Chinese cities. -
[Special Discussion] Landmarks, the Engine of Urban Competitiveness
[Chair] We are joined by three key figures closely associated with the design city Seoul and its central hub, DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza). DDP has now undoubtedly become a global landmark. First, we have Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul, who oversees the city’s transformation into an attractive design-centered metropolis, including the establishment of DDP. Next, we are joined by Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, Chairman of Red Dot, who officially designated Seoul as the World Design Capital in 2010 during his role as the founding chair of WDC. Lastly, we have Craig Kiner, Associate Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, who was the lead architect of the DDP project. -
The Convergence of AI and Design: Organizational Culture, Personalization, and Ethical Leadership
This talk discusses the impact of AI on organizational culture and product design, highlighting the need for designers’ involvement in the early stages of design. Additionally, it explores privacy and ethical issues arising in AI personalization services, using on-device AI technology as an example, and examines the role of design leadership in balancing corporate profits with the preservation of human-centered values. -
Designing for Transition: Transforming Design(ers) for a Sustainable Future
This talk examines the urgent need for a paradigm shift in design education and practice to address the pressing sustainability challenges of our time. The presentation will: Challenge the prevailing anthropocentric worldview in design, advocating for a more holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of human and natural systems. This shift necessitates moving beyond human-centred design to encompass the needs of all stakeholders, including non-human actors and future generations. Deconstruct the myth of the designer as a singular saviour, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, co-creation, and knowledge sharing across disciplines and sectors. Designers must transition from problem solvers to enablers, empowering communities to participate in the design process and fostering collective ownership of solutions. Highlight the critical need to move beyond short-term, profit-driven design solutions that prioritize immediate gains over long-term sustainability. The talk encourages designers to embrace circular economy principles, particularly the often-overlooked strategy of "refuse," questioning the necessity of new designs and prioritizing reduction, reuse, and regeneration. Explore the expanding role of design beyond traditional boundaries, encompassing not only objects and interfaces but also experiences, services, and systems. The speaker argues that designers, with their unique ability to articulate problems and translate ideas into tangible outputs, are well-positioned to facilitate transformative change across diverse fields. Through compelling examples and practical insights, this talk aims to inspire a design renaissance, urging designers to embrace their agency as changemakers and contribute to building a more just and sustainable future. -
Service Design for the Desirable Cities – Smart Living through Design
Until the end of the last century, design had a strong focus on the material environment. In cities, design was concerned with urban planning, architecture, street furniture, signage - to name but a few. This has changed fundamentally in this century. Designers are shaping and innovating public services. They are leading digital transformation. They co-create with citizens and public servants for the benefit of living in desirable cities. Birgit Mager's presentation will show how governments around the world are putting design on their strategic agendas and how service design is shaping these processes, using concrete examples to provide impetus and inspiration. -
Invisible Landmark
Chris van Duijn of OMA critically examines the role of landmark architecture in urban contexts, challenging traditional notions of visual expression to advocate for the concept of the “invisible landmark”. Through recent case studies - including the expansion of the Hongik University Seoul Campus and Simone Veil Bridge in Bordeaux - van Duijn illustrates how landmark projects can enhance a city by prioritizing community engagement, functionality, and flexibility over mere aesthetic statements. -
City, Design and AI
What should a city in the age of artificial intelligence aspire to be and what value should it provide to its citizens? This talk provides a comprehensive view of how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are redefining how cities function and transforming the lives of their citizens on a deeper level. Today's rapidly evolving artificial intelligence is more than just a technology, it's revolutionizing society as a whole. However, how these changes are specifically realized in urban environments and how they should be integrated into the daily lives of citizens is still an area that needs further exploration. This talk will explore how artificial intelligence technologies can substantially improve urban environments and provide meaningful value to both individuals and communities. It will analyze the current state of AI's development and future possibilities, exploring not the technology itself, but the design potential of the technology - how it can evolve to focus on human connection, empathy, and convenience. Furthermore, it will share insights and lessons we can learn from examples of cities and countries around the world that are already using AI to revolutionize the way cities function. This talk will provide an in-depth discussion of how the future of AI can transform our cities into smarter, more livable spaces, and point the way forward for creating citizen-centric cities. In this new era driven by AI, cities need to rethink their role as platforms to enhance the lives of their citizens, not just adopt technology. -
Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Fashion and Future
Since its conception, the competition winning design of DDP, commemorating Seoul as World Design Capital, has challenged norms architecturally and in its delivery. Inspired by movement and computational fluid dynamics, the design of the DDP tested the capabilities of the construction industry in Korea. Since its completion, DDP has formed an indelible place in the life of the city in centre of Seoul breaking records for visitor numbers. How does DDP operate as a component of cultural infrastructure, a catalyst for cultural transformation, is it successful and what about the future… -
The Spirit of Success – Designing the Urban Quality of Life
Nowadays, almost 60 percent of the world's population already lives in cities. By 2050, it will be 75 percent. The city is considered as a model for success. Here, people have access to work, to knowledge, to supplies and to culture. At the same time, the city faces challenges in the 21st century: Sustainable cities between housing and space requirements and sustainable construction. Smart cities between digital services and surveillance. Attractive cities between too much tourism and creative industries. Mayor Oh Se-hoon's decision to apply for the title of “World Design Capital” and to actually be awarded this title in 2010 was an initial spark for Seoul City to be recognised internationally as a design city and a “creative hub”. In addition to an extensive programme in 2010, other important milestones were achieved, such as the construction of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in 2014. In his lecture, Prof. Dr. Peter Zec explains that the city can also be a model for success in the 21st century if it succeeds in raising the population's awareness of design and architecture and in placing Seoul City on the world map of the 25 most important creative metropolises. -
Seoul Enhances Urban Aesthetics by Integrating Art Across the City
- Creation of "Attractive Fences" featuring illustrations around long-term construction sites, such as Aeogae Station and the Namsan Gondola project. - Works by renowned illustrators like Subsub, CUNA, and Glory showcased. - Collaboration with L’Oréal Korea to display artworks by disabled artists on the covers of Seoul-style street trash bins. - The city remarked, “We aim to highlight Seoul's charm by incorporating art into urban spaces. Look forward to various street installations at the end of the year and the start of the next.” -
Seoul City: Combating Isolation for Single-Person Households through Space Design such as Sharing Warehouses, Community Kitchens, and Creative Workshops
- Development and implementation of <Ma-eum Maru>, a community space aimed at alleviating the sense of isolation among middle-aged and older single-person households. - Charming space design reinterpreting the nostalgic feel of schools; the first location is the Dongdaemun-gu Family Center. - A leisure-oriented community space fostering hospitality, respect, learning, achievement, and loose connections. - Seoul City is committed to building social networks for single-person households … Experience the transformative "power" of space. -
SDIF 2024 Sketch Video
This is a sketch video capturing the vibrant scenes of the 2024 Seoul International Design Forum. -
Reborn as a Vibrant Play Space for All Generations... 'Seongsu 1 Play Park' Opens
- On Monday the 16th, the Second Edition of Seoul’s Active Design Landmark… A New Play Space Offering Daily Vitality and Fun - A Circular Walking Trail for All Generations to Enjoy, Offering Dynamic Experiences While Strolling Along the ‘Wave-shaped Hill’ - Designed with Citizen Safety as the Top Priority… Features Include Slip-resistant Surfaces, Gentle Slopes, and Accessibility for Mobility-impaired Individuals - The City Aims to Create an ‘Attractive and Healthy Space’ Offering Fun and Unique Experiences Year-round. -
SDIF 2024 Main Event <Reflections on Mr. Criag Kiner's Speech>
The Seoul Design International Forum featured many insightful programs, and among them, I was particularly inspired by the presentation “Dongdaemun Design Plaza: Trends and the Future” by Craig Kiner, Principal of Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). This year marks the 10th anniversary of DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza), designed by Zaha Hadid and the ZHA team. DDP stands as a landmark of Seoul, featuring a futuristic curved design located at the heart of the city. -
SDIF 2024 Main Event <Reflections on Dr. Birgit Mager's Keynote Speech>
This year marked the 5th edition of the Seoul Design International Forum, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, focusing on “Designing the Future of Sustainable Cities.” I attended the 2024 Seoul Design International Forum held on Wednesday, November 27, at DDP Art Hall 2. There were many outstanding speakers, but I would like to share my thoughts about Birgit Mager, President of the Service Design Network. -
SDIF 2024 Main Event <Reflections on Prof. Dr. Peter Zec's Keynote Speech>
Hello! I’m Seo balgeum, a supporter of the 2024 Seoul Design International Forum (SDIF). Have you heard of the Seoul Design International Forum? It’s an annual event hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens through thoughtful design policies. These efforts continuously shape both the present and future of Seoul. This year, SDIF 2024 was held at Art Hall 2 of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) under the theme: “Designing the City of the Future.” -
SDIF 2024 <Forum Participation Experience>
This is Minseon Kim, a Supporter for the 2024 Seoul International Design Forum! The 2024 Seoul International Design Forum kicked off with an opening speech by Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul. In his remarks, he shared the journey Seoul has taken to become a global design city. -
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP): A Hub for Art, Design, and Exhibitions
What is Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)? DDP was designed by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. It serves as a space where design trends are shared, promoted, and initiated. It also provides a platform for cultural exchange, offering visitors diverse and enriching experiences.