Korea Design Challenge 2013 Award Ceremony & Designers Party

Korea Design Challenge 2013 was held by KT&G SangsangMadang as the thrid year award in collaboration with Kikkerland Inc to introduce the excellence of Korean creative design to the whole world through the global culture exchange. This year's theme was

'Back to the origin of Korea'

, which reminds us Korean design's originality and gentleness. It also delivers meanings to the people as a work beyond the product. We support consistently Korean local designers to turn their vivid imagination into the real things and this project contines the line of this objective. A collaboration partner, Kikkerland Inc., where creativity runs rampant and even the most utilitarian gadget becomes a delightful discovery, supports our philosophy we purse,

 'totally different new imagination'.

As the main motif of Korean unique design, we got around 600 submissions through this year's award, Korea Design Challenge 2013. Creativity, merchandising plan, and marketablity were considered through the first screening. Finally 33 items were selected through the workshop with designer and professionals for abour a month and 10 final products will go for mass production and be distributed worldwide by Kikkerland.

On May 31, we held a designers party and award ceremony. Designers' group we're managing was also invited and had an announcement for their new products they're designing. All of the final designers attended and had a great night.

Many people attended this party and designer's party 2013 has just started. First Mijin Kim, the representative of KT&G SangsangMadang, gave a breif greeting speech and Jongyup Lee, the team manager, made a speech on the company's role for designers.

 

Jay Lee, a design director of Kikkerland, introduced Kikkerland's business/brand project and explained how to start working with KT&G SangsangMadang made a speech on Korean design's history and background.

 

Korean design has no reputation internationally and actually it's not difined. I think it's because of no hit products from Korea. We can find the direction of the development of Korean design through Kimchi, the bestseller of Korea.

Thomas, a brand consultant of Kikkerland, reviewed the result of selection and gave a lecture on "Good design, commercial design & Korean design". There're special comments on two winners' products, light pin & rabbit coinbank.

Especially Jan Van der Lande delivered a lecture on design. Starting with the title, "Where's my pencle?", he offered many peices of advice to Korean designers. His speech was very impressive.

"Explain why this product is better than the existing product !

While he's been selling products, suddenly he questioned what's the good design. Whenever he met designers, he just asked like this.

"Please explain me why your design is better than existing design."

And he got an answer from Shiro Kuramata, a Japanese designer.

"Good design is like poetry."

It is told that evert product he designed has a story.

"A well designed pencil makes you feel like a better writer or designer and the design process starts with understanding consumer’s feeling. We’d like to bring little bit of thought, little bit of intelligence,and little bit of joy to everybody’s life. We’d like costumers to be pleased and amused." 

 

Finally 33 products were selected and finalists were awarded by Kikkerland & KT&G SangsangMadang. Selected proudcts are as below.

 

Message Candle by Seokjae Yun / Bull Fight for Toast by Abel Partners / Vodka Mix by Etaek Hong / Woodcube by Soyoun Kim / Jewel Pick by Mood Lalala / Temperance Glass by DEF1 / Flower Mug by Somi Min / Stealth Note by Ahra Cho / Cutting Matt Ruler by Alice / Multi Stick by Dongyoung Kim / Tyny Leaf by Hyn Yue Wool / Gori by Jinyoung Lee / Dandelion Brush by Hysook Jung / Pow by 2 Doors / Spear Fork by Ilmo Ahn / Momo by Kids / Bulgae by Kyungmi Moon / Mouse Nail Clipper by Kyungmi Moon / Crane Desk Organiser by Soonmo Kang / Ghost Clip Holder by Yong Jeong / Cassette Sharpner by Chulsoo / Rabbit Coinbank by Yongkyung Kim / Honest Axe by Minkyu Hong / Jangseung Corkscrew by Yasikmadang / Pill Pod by Sungun Chang / Branch Magnet by Yoomiin Jung / Eco Ball by Ahtty / Frog Scissors by Bunzzi / Nucleaus Pen by Taehyun Roe / Cable Pop by Changjun Lee / Chopstick Pencil by BMIX / Bamboo Dripper by M&P / Lighting Pin by Sungho Lee

 

 

 

The first winenr's product is Taehyun Roe's Nucleus Pen, inspired by the current political situation with diplomatic thought that the pen is mightier than the sword, and second winner's one is Kyungmi Moon's Bulgae, a dog flashlight with a Korean folktale. The fun thing is the first and second winner's award came from Duck Mirror by Kikkerland Design.

 

 

 

 

 

After finishing all of the official events, we had a designers' party night where people can meet and network each other. The winners' products will be on the market at the end of this year, so we hope they will be well received in the market. Can't wait for the day we have all the real products!