Design Next: Rewriting the Language of Cities, Seoul Design International Forum 2025
Hello! I’m Nayoung Kwak, supporter of the Seoul Design International Forum 2025!
The urban landscape changes with time, but Seoul is leading this transformation through design.
From small street signs to large-scale urban spaces, and even to the way people live,
design has become more than just an aesthetic element — it is the language of the city and the key to shaping the future.
Now in its 6th year, the Seoul Design International Forum (SDIF) returns under the theme “Seoul, a City of Charms: Designing a Better Global Quality of Life.”
Once again, the world’s attention turns to Seoul, where leading design experts, policymakers, and thought leaders from industry and academia will gather to share creative visions for enhancing urban appeal and strengthening competitiveness.
This is more than just a place for discussion — it is a journey to discover Seoul’s vision for a sustainable future and the new blueprint for cities that design can create.
So, shall we take a closer look at how the event will unfold?
Event Overview
- Date: Friday, September 19, 2025, 1:00 – 6:00 PM
- Venue: Multipurpose Hall, 8F, Seoul City Hall
- Theme: Seoul, a City of Charms: Designing a Better Global Quality of Life
- Format: Hybrid (on-site & online)
- Languages: Korean & English (*simultaneous interpretation available)
- Website: www.sdif.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sdiforum2025
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SDIF_2025
This year’s forum will be held in a hybrid format, so you can join either on-site or online—whichever works best for you!
- Registration Period: Until Monday, September 15, 2025
- Sign-up Link: https://forms.gle/spbsjdW7bM9rE34v8
Pre-registration is required for both on-site and online participation!
Spots are limited, so don’t miss out on this special chance!
Program Schedule
Opening Ceremony
13:00 – 13:10 ｜ Opening Declaration & Introduction of Participants
13:10 – 13:20 ｜ Welcoming Remarks (Mayor of Seoul) & Congratulatory Remarks
13:20 – 13:50 ｜ Design Manifesto
Keynote Session
13:50 – 14:20 ｜ Helle SØHOLT (CEO & Founding Partner, GEHL)
Session 1: Global Leadership through Design Collaboration
14:20 – 14:40 ｜ Uwe CREMERING (CEO, iF International Forum Design GmbH)
14:40 – 15:00 ｜ Lorenzo IMBESI (Full Professor, Sapienza University of Rome)
15:00 – 15:20 ｜ Sharon SO (Director of Corporate Affairs, Engagement & Sustainability, L’Oréal Korea)
Session 2: The Power of Design Driving Urban Innovation
15:30 – 15:50 ｜ Inkyu CHOI (Director-General, Design Policy Bureau, Seoul Metropolitan Government)
15:50 – 16:10 ｜ Deana YU (Assistant Director, Visual Design of Service Design Studio at New York City Mayor’s Office)
16:10 – 16:30 ｜ Byungsu KIM (CEO, Missionit Co., Ltd.)
Panel Discussion & Closing
16:30 – 17:30 ｜ Panel Discussion (Chair: Joo Yun KIM, Master Public Designer of Seoul)
17:30 – 18:00 ｜ Closing
Are you ready to join the moment when Seoul’s design takes a leap forward?
On September 19, let’s come together at Seoul City Hall for the Seoul Design International Forum 2025 to explore the future of our city through design.
Your interest and participation will help make Seoul an even more inspiring and attractive city! ✨
This has been Nayoung Kwak, supporter of the Seoul Design International Forum 2025!
