Annual forum expected to attract local audiences looking for inspiration


A design forum organized by Herald Media is once again set to start an active discussion on the role of design and its impact this fall, hosting world’s leading designers, architects and artists.

Launched last year, the Herald Design Forum has positioned itself as a major design forum in Korea inviting acclaimed figures in the field and attracting local audiences looking for inspiration.

The forum, titled “Reimagine! Herald Design Forum,” will shed light on the increasing importance and significance of design on the national, economic and cultural levels under the theme of “Design Changes the World” from Sept. 19-21 at the COEX exhibition hall in Samseong-dong, Seoul.

The second Herald design forum is expected to receive much spotlight with high-profile designers and artists, as did last year’s forum, which featured brand futurist Martin Lindstrom, nation-branding specialist Simon Anholt and industrial designer Karim Rashid.

Japanese architect Tadao Ando, British industrial designer Bill Moggridge and automobile designers Chris Bangle and Peter Schreyer will be among those coming to Seoul to share their knowledge and expertise this year.

Ando is expected to share his inspiration from nature and his building designs emphasizing nature, culture and spiritual values at the first session of the forum on Sept. 20.

Bruce Duckworth, the award-winning creative director of the brand design agency Turner Duckworth, will also be participating along with other key figures including Chinese artist Zhang Xiaogang, one of the key figures in Chinese contemporary art, and independent Korean curator Yoon Jae-gap.

Duckworth received Design Lions Grandprix in 2008 with his Coca-Cola advertisement and also led the design competition this year as a jury president. 

Highlights of the three-day event include a session in which auto designers Bangle and Schreyer will talk about the recent design trends, innovations and future trends.

“We are expecting a heated discussion between the two well-known designers and stimulating exchanges with the audience about innovation in design related to everyday objects like cars, smartphones and electronics,” said a forum organizer.

Bangle, a former BMW design chief and now the head of his eponymous design agency and a master designer of Samsung Electronics, will attend the forum for the second time.

Shreyer has been hailed as one of the top auto designers with his contribution to Audi TT design as well as the recent K series of Kia Motors. His K series design has been praised as having created a signature automobile design for Kia Motors.

A charity auction featuring sketches by Bangle and Ando will also be held.

In the run up to the forum, The Korea Herald will hold a design presentation competition for university students.

Finalists will be given the opportunity to hold a presentation in front of VIP guests attending the forum who will pick the winners.

The three winning teams will each receive an award of 3 million won, 2 million won and 1 million won.

Last year’s winning team D.A.S. said: “We’ve never participated in any competition. The reason we decided to apply this time is that we can attend sessions hosted by leaders in their fields and have dinner with them and listen to their insights on design and life.”

“We will never forget the moment when we talked to Chris Bangle over dinner and when Martin Lindstrom suggested he would write a recommendation letter for us,” they said.

University students in Korea are eligible to apply. They can apply as individuals or in teams of four members maximum. Applicants must submit the required application and documents by Aug. 3 to heraldforum@ioconvex.com.
Registration for the design forum is also open through Sept. 7 at www.interpark.com.

For more information, visit herald-forum.com or call (02) 2152-5053.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)