ddp design fair

The designer and maker were able to make a series of sofa tables targeting a broad audience who pursue new styles based on their intention and angle of approach by creating shapes with minimal elements and combining the best structure for usability and production. Created based on the originality of LE MARBLE and Kyelee, the three-dimensional structure made of natural marble and sturdy steel curves looks like an artwork inspired by the undersea topography and the sentiment of deep sea, which gives us time to clear our minds and focus on ourselves while gazing at the sea. The metal with high hardness was designed in a curved shape while adding a sense of freedom toheavy, solid porcelain and natural stone. This table is not only practical, but also delivers a fantastic experience and comfort, crossing the boundary between art and commercial work. Designer Kim Kyelee “It is very valuable for designers to have their designs mass-produced into products that are sold to and used by customers. I was impressed with the practical support of the DDP Design Fair, such as facilitating collaboration projects with makers and providing support for products and promotions, so this year I once again participated in the DDP Design Fair, following last year. This time, I put more focus on those who want to enjoy and relish art at various commercial spaces and home, instead of galleries, and wanted to deliver practicality as well as artistic sensibility. Since mass production was our team’s ultimate goal, we also had to consider a realistic production process and costs for the design. It was a significant challenge for us. Deciding on things together as a team was a life-changing experience. I hope our product gets mass-produced without any problems, finally reaches the customers and sells well because high sales will help us continue to release a series of new designs. I want to build a culture of high standards by mass-producing valuable design products to break down prejudices or boundaries in the existing market, bringing diversity and novelty to the public.” Maker Jo Inyeong (LE MARBLE) “LE MARBLE is also participating in this fair for the second time because we wanted porcelain, a natural marble, to be used in various ways and become a more familiar material to the public. In addition, as a company that imports, processes and sells raw materials, we wanted to put our heads together to solve our concerns about sustainability and how to use leftover materials. We decided to take part in the DDP Design Fair since we were attracted by the fact that a wide range of products are created through the fair based on shared ideas and various perspectives. During this project, we ran into some difficulties while we were trying to create a three-dimensional structure with porcelain due to its weight and hardness, but we could find a clear answer through the designer's curved design and structural change using a metal frame. We placed emphasis on supporting the design as much as possible and tried not to set limits for the finishing or details. We could not help but cry out “Eureka!” after seeing the design that made us cheer and be amazed.”

Bacci For Dwelling is a unique name. Please tell us more about the brand.Bacci For Dwelling (BFD) is a lifestyle brand run by a design studio called Bacci. From pencils to home décor items to furniture, we create and introduce small and large products across various categories that make up our daily lives. We are trying to deliver designs that naturally blend into the space, adapt to the user's changes and are sustainable for a long time. In addition, we are running Nomadic Showrooms with the theme of “nomadic”, so we are looking for spaces across the country with distinct personalities, instead of unchanging offline content, to blend furniture and products into each space. Could you also tell us the story of how the brand was created?I naturally became interested in furniture while I was studying architecture, and I created a design studio where I could work on creative and interesting designs. I can say that it all started with my fascination of furniture, which accounts for the largest share in the space of everyday life. Please tell us about the latest product of Bachi, which has no boundaries for design.We are making products, such as toast trays, soap dishes, etc., that are small but add fun and meaning to our daily lives. We are working on wall-mount products such as wall storage boxes. Is there any message Bachi would like to share through the Launching Pavilion?I want to tell a story about everyday objects based on simple formative beauty and beautiful materials. Since we want have a two-way communication with visitors, we are hoping to see them at our booth touching and sitting on things in person and getting some rest. What are the current trends in home living?It seems that people have become more serious and interested in their own space since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. So, perhaps a trend is the act of finding what you like and discovering your own things. This free, nomad spirit fits perfectly with Bachi’s brand philosophy. As a design brand, how do you think of the DDP Design Fair?I decided to participate in this year’s fair since AGO Creative Director Yoo Hwasung strongly recommended it to me, and it makes me wonder how things will turn out for the fair. I hope the fair differentiates itself from other conventional fairs and presents a new direction. In addition, I hope the fair grows into a meaningful and useful event fair that promotes Made-in-Korea products at home and abroad.

Zenny Closet is a name that arouses curiosity.It is an eco-designer brand that pursues a slow life and suggests values and individuality for the era we live in now. We believe that the journey matters more than the outcome, and we create sustainable products that interact with nature, find balance and strive for recovery. The first thing that catches my attention is the unique logo.I wanted to tell a story about how to live rather than how to wear through our logo, which represents the philosophy of the brand. I was thinking of ideas for our logo, and one day while I was mending clothes, the hook on the waist of a pair of pants looked like a deer. At that moment, I thought I could use this hook for our logo to embody my resolute determination and vision to make the world beautiful, giving new life to discarded things. The deer logo designed through the upcycling of buckle hooks and yokes represents our brand's philosophy, incorporating the source of life of nature and humans into our products. How did the brand start? Is there an interesting story behind the origin of the brand?I opened an atelier with two sewing machines and several clothes hanging in a small space less than 20 square meters. I had no customers for a while. One day, a lady cautiously stepped into our store and said, “Will I be able to get this repaired? I have this leather coat I’ve been wearing for long time. It’s one of my favorites, so I want to get it repaired and wear it again.” So, I started working on the piece, taking the old worn leather apart one by one and patching it with new leather to make it look like new, and the response was overwhelming. Then, by a coincidence of fate, someone asked me if I could upcycle used hanbok, and I turned it into a chic hanbok blouse, the only one in the world. All of a sudden, the empty store of Zenny Closet started to be filled with jeans, jackets, dresses, jumpers and other old worn clothes from other people’s closet . I am looking forward to what you are upcycling these days.There are a lot of fabrics thrown away in our everyday lives. We are developing a wide range of upcycled products since we signed an exclusive MOU with a digital printing company that does not use water. We also signed an exclusive MOU with the golf company Golfzon and released tote bags and mini bags by digitally printing on discarded fabrics used for golf impact screens. In addition, we launched the ZC Line, which introduced the luxury brand Goyard’s coating technology to print on discarded jeans. What recent trends do you find to be most interesting?The trend of “upcycling fashion”, which has been attracting a lot of attention for a long time, holds great significance to many of us, but I think the trend that designers should pursue is to think about innovative technologies and the seriousness and gravity of environmental pollution and suggest ways to solve problems from the manufacturing process. That’s why we aim to be 100 percent eco-friendly while we make products and started to use digital printing technology that does not use water. What are you most looking forward to through your participation in this DDP Design Fair?My greatest desire is to eliminate the prejudice against recycled and upcycled products. One of my missions is to break the stereotype that people feel uncomfortable to use a product upcycled from something that has been used by others and repurposed items have poor quality. I hope that Zenny Closet’s booth provides an opportunity to break such prejudice and stereotype, and I would like to convey the new value of upcycling and recycling through the exhibition.

Please tell us about Rawon.We are making a variety of eco-friendly products with our specialized materials, sochang fabric and natural cotton. Rawon makes its own products that customers can trust by producing its own 100% pure cotton fabric with domestically-made, non-fluorescent yarn. At first, our main products were dishcloths and towels made of sochang fabric, but we have further expanded our product offering to include beddings made of natural cotton, such as duvet covers and pillow colors. You put a lot of effort into fabric production. How did it start?At first, it did not start with the purpose of selling products. I could see a lot of people around me, including myself, using non-woven fabrics, disposable dishcloths and wet wipes. This made me start to worry about their negative impacts on the environment, and sochang dishcloth, which my mother used to use, flashed across my mind. I started to make and use sochang dishcloth  because I wanted to do something, however small, for my family and the environment. Since I’ve enjoyed using it myself, I thought it would be nice if other people could use this great product, so I started to give sochang dishcloths as gifts to people around me. Since then, it became increasingly popular through word of mouth. Thanks to the encouragement and support from friends and family, I was able to start a brand, and our brand started to grow after selling products at the flea market. Word gets around fast, especially for good things. Are you working on a new product?Our new product is a bathrobe made from Rawon’s non-fluorescent sochang fabric, which provides great absorption and less skin irritation. It embodies the shape of a Jeogori, a basic upper garment of traditional hanbok. There is no need to tie the waist strap, and the front closure extends to the side, so it prevents gaping at the bust. Once it is secured with the inner strap, it does not gap open in the front even during intense movement and provides excellent freedom of movement. Our design is registered with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. Rawon’s sochang fabric is made of two or three layers, so you don’t need a towel. It is incredibly comfortable to wear right after taking a bath as it quickly absorbs the moisture left on your skin. We also made a dramatic breakthrough in reducing lint on the fabric. It is also suitable for tumble dry thanks to the unique characteristics of Rawon’s sochang fabric, which uses domestically-made, durable yarn. What are the things to look out for in the Launching Pavilion at the DDP Design Fair? Could you also explain the concept of the exhibition?As we are confident enough to say that we have a unique manufacturing process for products made from Rawon’s specialized fabrics, I hope you have the opportunity to touch and feel Rawon’s fabrics with your own hands. I want many people to experience the convenience of Rawon’s sochang products, which are boiled in water three times and well dried to be used immediately without scouring, and all products made from Rawon’s natural cotton, which is completely different from typical natural cottons that are stiff and rough and has a soft and luxurious feel like beddings used in hotels. We set up a cozy and comfortable bedroom, a clean kitchen and a neat and clean wash basin to highlight the key features of the exhibition and make sure visitors see all elements displayed within the space. What recent trends do you find to be most interesting?These days, I am paying more attention to popular products that can be personalized and custom-made products with affordable prices. I am also more interested in serene, modern, sophisticated designs, instead of flashy and eye-catching designs. How do you feel about the platform of the DDP Design Fair?Brand promotion was one of the most difficult tasks since Rawon first started as a one-person business. The DDP Design Fair served as an opportunity to solve such difficulties, and it would be great if more makers could have access to opportunities like this. Promoting the fair in person will be also helpful to increase the participation of makers. Participating in the fair can be a driving force for makers to rise above challenges. Also, I hope the fair serves as a venue to promote brands and products, and many people purchase good products at reasonable prices and lead a healthier life with Rawon’s products.

PSH is a name that arouses curiosity. Please tell us about your company.PSH is a design studio that pursues quality over quantity, so users are truly amazed when they touch and use our products in person, not when they see their appearance. Furthermore, it aims to be an exemplary model of design studies. It is a delightful group of demanding designers brought together for this common goal. Despite many difficulties, we have tried our best not to lose our calling for design by persevering and rising above our challenges for a long time. This process made me grow into a demanding designer who combines rationality and sensibility. We are fighting against the odds for a successful project based on high level of concentration, relentless scrutiny and business insight. Please tell us the story of how you established the studio.PSH was established in 2010 under the name of ittta. It specializes in industrial design and has been offering design strategy consulting services in various fields. In 2017, the company name was changed to PSH (Han Pilsoo Design Studio) to strengthen its identity as a design studio. In 2021, PSH established a design brand called Framer to transform its extensive experience and expertise in design into products. Could you tell us about a new product you are working on?PS12 chair is only composed of planes. We tried to keep the consistency based on simplicity and comfort. As a great deal of effort was put into attempts to carefully refine the angles, height and dimensions, I believe that the value and skills will be demonstrated once you sit on it. What are you expecting from the 2022 DDP Design Fair?Until now, PSH Studio has not been engaged in external activities, such as fairs and contests. Recently, we felt the need of taking part in external activities, so we would like to start our external activities with the DDP Design Fair. We hope this fair serves as an opportunity to mark a new beginning and take a step forward. As the DDP Design Fair is an outstanding platform that offers opportunities to many people, I would like make one suggestion. I think it would be great if we could hold an exhibition based on a single concept to show various interpretations and a sense of depth. Is there anything you want to say to those who visit to the Launching Pavilion?Our exhibition concept takes a scientific and analytical approach to furniture design process. The exhibition allows you to see the end results but also the design process. I hope you take your time to understand each step of the process.

The name makes me guess that the brand is related to office.odd-office designs the convenience and culture of office by planning and developing necessary tools while focusing on in-person work environment and “humans” in the era of digitalization. As the name suggests, odd-office is a compound word of odd, which means unique and unusual, and office. It means to create an office environment that may be somewhat unfamiliar but unique and creative. Please tell us the story of how this odd brand got started.There was a time when I felt tired of my office life and started to have doubts about where I was heading. I just had a vague idea that “I want to live a happy life”, but I came up with an answer: “Let's make today my best day in life.” Based on the idea that improving the elements related to “work”, which accounts for the most part of the day, could bring me closer to a happier life, I established a design agency called “Odd Project” with people who had similar thoughts with me. This is how “odd-office”, a brand that represents our own thoughts, was created. Could you tell us about your latest product or a new product you are working on?We designed a modular trolley through a maker-designer collaboration project at this DDP Design Fair. I thought we needed a product that is not too overwhelming but could store a pair of shoes or an umbrella, which is somewhat difficult to store in our personal work space. Since most work spaces are relatively small and put more value on efficiency, it has been developed as a product that functions as a desk and a drawer, the two most essential pieces of furniture in the office, and also a modular design that can be easily separated and assembled and can be installed without any hassle in a space where you already have a desk and drawers. In the beginning, we came up with product ideas with more interesting stories or formative elements, such as installing a cushioned plate on the top that also functions as a footrest, but we decided to incorporate a product design that keeps things basic into the current version of our product. We are also producing and selling two types of free-standing office partitions, which can be placed on desks, called “Natgarim” and “Motgarim”. Natgarim, a partition and organizer that can be placed and used in any space without partitions, was created with the aim of guarding the privacy from the prying eyes of others in a playful way. Motgarim is a mini-size partition, which is relatively too short to hide the face of the employees sitting opposite to each other. Both products were released through a crowdfunding platform called Tumblbug. They are especially meaningful to us because they were our first products to get responses and feedback from users. We are also planning to make additional products, such as pencil holders and bookends, which can be used together in diverse ways by the end of this year. What are the things visitors should look out for in the Launching Pavilion?Just like our brand name, we would like to show visitors the “odd office”. This is our first time participating in a design fair, so we have concerns that things may not turn out as we planned. However, we would like to break away from the norm and standardization and show the direction of our brand and the characteristics of our products that stir up new feelings. I think this will be an opportunity to get a glimpse of odd-office's philosophy, focusing on in-person work environment, which goes against the current trend, especially when most of our tasks are going digital. Since our first product was released this year, we haven’t got many things to showcase yet, but I would appreciate it if you could come see our exhibition and use your imagination to visualize our products that will have a strong presence in the future. I hope you enjoy our booth where you can experience the fun names and various features of our products. And I hope the DDP Design Fair serves as an opportunity to find ways to work happily together. Why did you participate in this DDP Design Fair? What are you expecting from the fair?I participated in the DDP Open Market last May. This was our first time meeting customers face to face and selling our products since the launch of our brand, so it was a valuable opportunity to hear people's honest feedback and directly experience their responses toward our products. It was an experience that allowed me to overcome doubts that I had while planning and designing products, such as “Is this a product that people really need?” and “Would we be able to deliver our message?”, and gave me the strength and drive to move forward. I also participated in this DDP Design Fair to get honest feedback from many people, but also to set our future brand direction and keep our motivation high. I hope the fair serves as an opportunity to deliver our brand’s message and introduce our products to those who are not well aware of “odd-office”. In addition, I think this could be an opportunity to find ways to work happily together. What recent trends do you find to be most interesting?Although these buzz words are still ongoing trends, we have been paying attention to the environment, sustainability and how is COVID-19 reshaping office culture. The changes in various work environments, such as contact-free tasks, working from home and shared office space, have also brought changes to products within the office space. These shifts are driving new patterns of consumption, and I think people's needs have changed as well. There are consumers who want to make their workplace feel more like home, whereas there is also a growing demand for products that set boundaries between office and home life. We will constantly monitor the trends of office culture to plan and design products that can keep pace with more diversified working patterns, and our ultimate goal is to become a leading brand in the industry.

It is a widely-known brand, but could you introduce the brand for starters?Sillymann is a brand that leads the “cook to table” trend resulting from the changes in living spaces, family structure and lifestyles. Silicon, the material of the future extracted from rocks, is a new substance that will represent the future of mankind based on cutting-edge and environment-friendly technologies. Sillymann is a silicone manufacturing company that directly manages the entire process from planning, development, manufacturing and distribution of household products and high-tech commercial and medical parts so that the valuable material silicone contributes to almost every part of our lives. Was it intentional to include the word silly in the brand name? Please tell us the story behind the brand.This is something people really wonder about, especially those who know the meaning of the word. I think silliness leads to the courage to do anything. With the slogan “Be silly! I’m silly, so I have the courage to do anything!”, the brand full of fun ideas was born out of the belief that silicone can change the world. Could you tell us about the new products you are planning to launch?We are currently preparing a new line of ceramic products that will be manufactured in Yeoju, the home of pottery, to carry on the spirit of traditional Korean pottery. We will launch traditional ceramic ware, made of black clay which offers exceptional durability and unique style, with colors inspired by nature. This time, we teamed up with Likemono designer Kim Yukyung to produce table mats that go well with Korean tableware. With the artist's unique sense and playful approach, we could add the final touch to the illustration that strikes the right balance with the ceramic ware. Is there any trend that has captured the attention of Sillymann?One notable trend is the needs of consumers who want an easy and simple recipe that takes less cooking time, but also a well-prepared meal good for their health. Sillymann not only provides cooking tools to make cooking easier but also focuses on the health of consumers with high-quality products. This is your first time participating in the DDP Design Fair.Although Sillymann participated as a company, we were pleased to be provided with an exhibition space for makers and up-and-coming designers. We had a meaningful experience working with new designers we would not have known otherwise. We are also looking forward to showcasing our products at the Launching Pavilion.

Please tell us about the brand.Welle is a German word meaning waveform, which refers to “the flow of tides and waves”. Our lives are like the ups and downs of waves. Welle started with a desire to maximize the total amount of happiness customers enjoy through products. For this reason, we established a company called “Welle”, which specializes in lifestyle speakers and considers audio as an emotional object. How did the brand start?The brand started from the personal memories and reflections of CEO Choi Jongmin. He said when he was 8, he plugged into a pair of chopsticks into an outlet to put on some music. Instead, it caused a burn on his hand. As such incident suggests, it can be said that CEO Choi, who has been an audio buff since he was a child, grew up with all kinds of audio products such as turntables, radios and digital devices around him, taking apart his father's stereo. These passions led him to decide to major in acoustics in college, get a job at a global audio company and eventually make his own speakers. This is the story of the origin of the brand created by an audiophile with over 35 years of experience. We’ve heard that Welle had a blast with crowdfunding.Welle unveiled its self-developed furniture-style speaker, which turned out to be a blast, through crowdfunding platforms not only in Korea, but also in Japan, Taiwan and the United States. Its annual sales growth rate has exceeded 100%, and it has been releasing a new generation of speakers through crowdfunding every year since 2017. For this reason, it is getting loads of attention from early adopters and people in the audio industry. Based on its experience, Welle is utilizing crowdfunding as part of its marketing strategy. The advantage is that Welle can directly introduce its products to consumers and industry officials ahead of others. Currently, employees who are fluent in Japanese, English and Chinese are directly selling products on crowdfunding websites in various countries. Besides crowdfunding, Welle products are available at E-mart stores, Costco stores, Shinsegae department stores and Apple stores in Korea, and Welle is seeking to expand its business by selling its products at large online and offline stores, such as Japan's Yodobashi Camera, Tsutaya and Amazon. What makes this product so popular, especially among females?Our plan was to make a product that does not look like a speaker at first glance. We thought of a design that goes well with the space and makes the speaker stand out, moving away from a black speaker with a boxy and clunky shape, and wanted to highlight its value as an interior object. This could be possible since Welle truly understands the needs of consumers who first thinks, “would this go well with my home décor?” before purchasing a home appliance such as a speaker. To keep up with the trend, we offered a furniture-style speaker tailored specifically for the Asian market at a reasonable price. In addition, Welle's Table Speaker even captured the hearts of female customers, who had been indifferent to speaker products, after it was recommended through word of mouth as a “pretty speaker”. In most cases, the percentage of female customers who purchase speaker products is about 20 percent, however, one of the characteristics of Welle is that more than 60 percent of its customers are female. Could you tell us about your latest product or a new product you are working on?This year, starting with Lamp Speaker, an upgraded version of Table Speaker, and a power strip (PLUG 5), we are planning to release home appliances and design products, including a lighting piece with a USB hub and a USB input device with a formative design. Lamp Speaker is based on a design that maintains the concept of Table Speaker with a smaller mood light, which has been added for camping or outdoor activities. Plug 5 Power Strip is a product designed with the aim to  expand into the category of home appliances, instead of speakers. Up till now, power strips mostly had a long shape and only came in white. That’s why we came up with a round power strip lid that you can place anywhere, instead of hiding it away. It is available in 4 colors, so you choose a design that matches your home interior. What are the concepts to look out for in Welle’s Launching Pavilion at the DDP Design Fair?Welle's products are designed based on three concepts. First, multi-function. Each product is faithful to its fundamental performance and function based on multiple functions. Second, colorful style. Due to their nature, small home décor items including small home appliances represent the user’s style and accent the space. That's why it is important to use an accent color that can spruce up the space, instead of basic colors like black and white. Third, form of an object. No matter where the product is used and placed, sometimes it blends into the space as a stable form that goes well with the space, and sometimes it accents the space as the form of an object. You can elevate the style of your space with Welle's products. Of course, the functions and performance of our products have also been enhanced by incorporating state-of-the-art technologies into the latest trends through smart functions. What are you most looking forward to through your participation in this DDP Design Fair?Due to the nature of small home appliances, they require a distinctive style, color and design appeal to satisfy users. In line with this trend, I think the DDP Design Fair is the best venue to talk about our products, the results of Welle's hard work. I hope we can share the vision of Welle at this event, which brings together experts in various design fields and users of design products How do you feel about the platform of the DDP Design Fair?Nowadays, it is impossible to talk about design without talking about products or living. It means there is an inextricable connection between products, living and the space of product users, and user-oriented product selection is becoming more important than ever. I hope the DDP Design Fair, which is leading the design trends in terms of showcasing innovative designs, provides more business opportunities for makers by presenting user-centered designs and the latest trends of designs that are highly likely to be chosen by users.