Forum to delve into smart, interactive design

Under the theme of “Smart Design; Interactive and Visual,” Herald Corp., in collaboration with Seoul Design Foundation, will host the Herald Design Tech 2016 workshop starting in June.

The workshop is intended to help foster young, up-and-coming talent in technology and design. During the six-session workshop program, which will take place June through August, participants will be placed into teams where they are given free rein to develop a plan for a marketable product while receiving valuable consultation time by experts in the fields of design and marketing.

The Herald Design Tech program will offer all the teams assistance in the marketization and distribution of their new inventions. The products will then be unveiled in an exhibition held during the Herald Design Week 2016 later in September.

A preview workshop lecture was held at Herald Square in Seoul on Monday night, inviting four local experts and entrepreneurs who discussed the future of design and technology and their experiences in the field. 

The lecture featured talks by Kookmin University visual design professors Choi Seung-joon and Lee Ji-won, graphic designer Kang Ku-Ryong and LG Uplus IoT general manager Song Tae-min, developer of the Google Glass app Check a Battery as well as the sleek and compact Beacon portal Bluetooth device, which transmits from 50 meters away with a battery life of up to two years without charging.

“I think some people are so focused on coming up with that one smash hit idea or invention, but why would you want to limit yourself to just developing one thing? I have countless ideas that I try to pursue. Granted some work and some don’t, I never try to limit my scope,” Song said in response to an audience member’s question about how he finds inspiration for his products.

The speakers, who hailed from diverse fields of expertise, were all in agreement that the current state and the future of design, including art, is synonymous with technology.

“Nowadays, if you try to define the term ‘design,’ you cannot exclude the huge role that technology plays,” said Lee. “Technology is not only making an impact on the possibilities in the world of design, but design is also adding to the possibilities of how we use and develop technology.”

Those eligible for participation at the Herald Design Tech workshop include start-up entrepreneurs, students majoring in design and engineering, and those working in related fields, with a focus on students and up-and-coming designers who are in need of technological support.

Participants who wish to take part in the upcoming workshop can apply online at heralddesign.co.kr. Submissions will be accepted starting next month. For more details, call (02) 553-0827 or email plan@brostudio.co.kr.By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)