ddp design fair

The matching process has recently ended, and this is your third time being a curator for the DDP Design Fair.

I feel more responsibility since I need to devote enough time and energy, but being a curator for the same event three times ensures the continuity of the process, which is a great advantage for me. It helps me grasp the overall context of the fair, such as the difference between this year, last year and the year before and what needs to be improved. This allows me to give more realistic advice to the participants, which helps them create better products that satisfy consumers. It is not an easy job, however, every time I participate in the fair, I feel more excited and more rewarded for my efforts.

Did you find any difficulty in matching designers with makers?

I did not find it difficult. Instead, I have higher expectations for the potential outcomes that could turn out be pleasant surprises. Different ways of matching designers with makers based on the strengths and characteristics of each maker, as well as various personalities of designers, may deliver results beyond expectations. That’s why we are doing our best to develop unique but practical products, not just ordinary products. These processes, in my opinion, are very important. They are all about working together to get the best results, not the results we already have. Despite the sharp criticism, worries and pains, I think this will be a bitter but valuable lesson that cannot be taught anywhere else in the world.

You have directed a lot of design projects. How would you define the DDP Design Fair?

Back in the ‘70s, the concept of design did not exist. At that time, there was an organization called the Korea Design & Packaging Center (KDPC), whose name literally meant “making things look pretty”. However, the decline in manufacturing and the rise of service-oriented industries have resulted a large number of makers and independent designers, instead of in-house designers, in line with the paradigm shift in the design industry. As a sole owner of a business or a small-scale business owner, they have been at the forefront of everything, from start to finish, including concept definition, planning, design and manufacturing. Nevertheless, there are some things that are difficult or even impossible to manage all alone, such as advice from various experts, product promotions, showrooms, etc. I think the DDP Design Fair is a great problem-solver which understands exactly what designers and makers are struggling with and comes up with solutions to the difficulties that they are facing. It strikes a perfect between designers and makers in order to satisfy the needs of both sides, without being biased toward one side. It is an epitome of level playing field.

You seem to have great affection for this fair. Nonetheless, do you think there is something that could be improved?

Many people should benefit from the fair as much as possible since the funding comes from taxes paid by citizens. I wish there were a training program that would allow designers and makers to make a quantum leap and develop products with great potential. It may be difficult to create a new program right away, but hopefully someday, we will get the chance to create such program as each edition of the fair improves with time.

K-content is all the rage at the moment. Please give some advice on how to grow as a global designer.

I totally agree with film director Martin Scorsese’s quote, “the most personal is the most creative”, which was mentioned by Bong Joon-ho during his speech. I think his quote is a true principle that could be applied to any field or industry. To make a high-quality product, designers must think like an artist and create work that represents their own identity. In doing so, they would be able to come up with a creative design differentiated from others. In that sense, it is important for designers and makers participating in this year’s DDP Design Fair to have their own identity. I think this is the key factor for globalization. No need to concern ourselves with what others are doing, or what is fashionable in countries around the world. As South Korea attracts attention worldwide, if you take great pride in what you do and focus on your work, your work will win applause not only at home but also abroad at some point.