Young designers find new opportunities, visitors discover unique designs


An annual design fair brought together young independent designers and customers under one roof in Seoul last week, serving as an open market for innovative designs.

In its second year, The Handmade Korea Fair 2012, held from July 26-29 at COEX, Samseong-dong in Seoul, featured 180 small design companies that offered unique products ranging from clothes, accessories and jewelry, to stationary, furniture, home-ware and children’s toys.

“It’s not an upscale art event. It’s just an open place where people gather to discover new designs and buy pieces they like. We don’t usually see this kind of fun design event,” said Shim Jae-jin, director-general of the fair.

According to the event organizers, the fair is just about the only event where independent designers can present their unique products in front of thousands of people looking for one-of-a-kind, unique designs. 

“It helps young artists and designers to expand their customer base and actually sell their products on the spot,” Shim said, adding some participating designers running small design shops make less than 700,000 won ($600) a month.

Designers say the design fair raises expectations for future business opportunities.

“It’s not just unique products you can find at the fair, but the future designers and their potential,” said Jang Hyung-soon, CEO of Zicon Design, which makes paper models and toys.

Former architect Jang transforms real-life forms into mini paper models. The models vary from animals and animation characters to miniature buildings.

This year’s fair focused on being green, featuring recycled and upcycled products.

Artist Ahn Jae-bok’s concrete table and chairs was at the center of the theme. The table and chair are made with recycled concrete and iron bars found at a construction site. His bedspring sofa served as a resting spot for visitors, surprising them with the comfort it provides.

Various D.I.Y. craft-making workshops helped visitors explore their creativity in sessions such as making bracelets and necklaces.

“Isn’t the piece you create worth more than the high-end luxury goods? I am really glad my kids get to have such valuable experience,” said a participant.

Assistant manager Suh Sang-ok of the 602 Creative Lab appreciates the exposure they received during the fair for their water faucet light stands.

“We just launched our products in April, and we received many orders at the fair,” said Suh.

Not only designers, but painters took part in the fair, boosting the artistic mood at the event.

Sion Kan, Japanese painter, engaged with visitors who usually shy away from fine arts with his face project that aims to draw 1 million faces around the world.

Each participant contributed to the completion of his project with wishes for world peace.

“The fair has become an annual cultural event now, attracting citizens to experience in design and art,” said Shim.

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