Design Korea 2015 (DK 2015), which wrapped up a five-day run on Nov.15 at KINTEX, north of Seoul, attracted around 2,000 pieces from 249 companies in Korea and abroad.
Under the theme “Design Business Fair,” KD 2015 highlighted recent design trends and B2B links so that the exhibition can serve as a starting point of the “Korean design wave” by achieving greater results in the Asian market such as China.
DK 2015, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), organized by Korea Institute of Design Promotion, is Korea’s biggest and Asia’s representative design business, which has led the domestic design industry. DK 2015 is a distinct exhibition compared to other design exhibitions in that actual contracts are signed and consultations are made during the exhibition.
By operating a “buyer matching system,” DK 2015 allowed participating companies and buyers to mutually exchange information prior to the opening and to conduct field meetings during the exhibition, creating the best business matching results.
Many big buyers from around the world participated in the exhibition, serving an opportunity for Korean companies to create a platform to enter foreign markets. Fifty-five buyers from China included “DJ.com,” one of the four biggest online shopping malls in the world, and Beijing Wangfujing Department Store, which has more than 30 branches in China. Among the five companies from Japan were LAOX, Japan’s largest electronics and daily supplies department store, Dinos Cecile Co., Japan’s biggest telemarketing company specializing in fashion, interior, and beauty products and AEOn, one of the biggest shopping companies in Japan. In addition, a total of 97 representatives of 73 foreign companies such as Living and Dining Australia and QVC USA, the biggest home shopping company in the United States attended the exhibition as buyers.
DK 2015 consisted of an exhibition, a design forum and other side events.
The exhibition had six theme pavilions life, art, eco, technology, innovation and entertainment to show design-oriented industries and new businesses created through convergence.
Among the eye-catching items were products made with the combining of 3D printing technology and design, characters and traditional crafts. There were a three “trend pavilions” on Good Design, Concept Design and Global trends. The Good Design Pavilion showed a selection of Good Design products. The Concept Design Pavilion introduced the history of Korea’s industrial design and enhanced the standing of Korean design by holding a designers’ hall of fame, a special exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Korea Design Exhibition and Youth Design Exhibition.
Spectators at the Global Design Trend Pavilion were given an opportunity to look at global design trends, as design award-winners from six countries were displayed on top of an exhibition of products by three significant Italian designers Bellini, Giampaolo Babetto, and Alessandro Mendini. It was the first time Giampaolo Babetto’s design products were exhibited in Korea.
In addition, visitors were given a chance to appreciate products from six prominent Korean designers, including first-generation designer Kwon Myeong-gwang of Hongik University.
Among the eye-catching design products were the brand “dodot” products by kodasdesign Inc., which made its debut in 2005. A KIDP official said the high-end “dodot” design furniture products are enjoying popularity among newlywed couples, since they are offered at affordable prices.
EDM Party, one of the side events, served as a venue for participants to share and communicate, “by ensuring the spread of design culture, harmony and unity.” The Agora Seminar provided professional conferences and open lectures regarding trends and information on the design industry.
“We will ramp up the overall competitiveness of industries by focusing on nurturing the design industry and Design Korea will be developed into one of Asia’s best design business events,” said Deputy Minister Park Il-joon of the Industry Policy Office at the MOTIE.
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A view of Design Korea 2-15, which took place from Nov. 11- 15 at KINTEX, north of Seoul.(Photos:KIDP)
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