Seoul Design
International Forum
서울디자인국제포럼

SDIF, : Illuminating the Future of Global Cities through the Philosophy of the “Soft City”

- Seoul Design International Forum to be held on Friday, September 19, under the theme “Designing a Better Global Life” - Mayor Oh Se-hoon to hold a special discussion on “Soft City” with Helle Søholt, CEO&Founding Partner of GEHL, and Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF International Forum Design GmbH - Experts present strategies for urban identity and sustainability, reaffirming Seoul’s global potential as a design city - Citizens participate in the “Design Manifesto,” shaping the forum as a public arena for Seoul’s design future

SDIF 2025 Highlight Video

We are pleased to share the highlight video of the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum (SDIF 2025), held on September 19, 2025 (Fri) at the Multipurpose Hall of Seoul City Hall. Under the theme “Attractive City of Seoul: Designing a Better Global Life,” global design experts gathered to share insights and discuss Seoul’s design vision and future. Relive the inspiring moments through this video.

SDIF 2025 Theme Video Full Version

Seoul Design International Forum 2025 – Full version of the theme video. Seoul Design International Forum is a global platform to share the power of design that transforms cities and lives. Your interest and participation are the driving force that leads Seoul to become an even more attractive global design city. In the upcoming SDIF 2026, we will continue the in-depth discussions on sustainability, creative collaboration, and the quality of life.

SDIF 2025 Theme Video Short Version

Seoul Design International Forum 2025 – Short version of the theme video. Seoul Design International Forum is a global platform to share the power of design that transforms cities and lives. Your interest and participation are the driving force that leads Seoul to become an even more attractive global design city. In the upcoming SDIF 2026, we will continue the in-depth discussions on sustainability, creative collaboration, and the quality of life.

Seoul Design International Forum 2025✨: Attractive City of Seoul - Designing a Better Global Life (Event Information)

Hello! Here’s some exciting news for those interested in design, cities, and a sustainable future. The Seoul Design International Forum 2025 will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025, in the Multipurpose Hall, 8th floor of Seoul City Hall. This forum will be a gathering to share visions and strategies for leading Seoul as a world-class design city, bringing together renowned speakers and experts from Korea and abroad. We’re truly looking forward to it!

Where to go this September? Let’s explore the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum! (Program & Speaker Information / Pre-registration Link)

Hello, this is Sseugo! Today, I’d like to introduce you to the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum. Just like I always check the table of contents before diving into a book, I prefer to glance through the overview before joining an event. So, as one of the official supporters of the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum, I’ve put together all the key information for you!

Design Next: Rewriting the Language of Cities, Seoul Design International Forum 2025

Hello! I’m Nayoung Kwak, supporter of the Seoul Design International Forum 2025! The urban landscape changes with time, but Seoul is leading this transformation through design. From small street signs to large-scale urban spaces, and even to the way people live, design has become more than just an aesthetic element — it is the language of the city and the key to shaping the future.

Visiting “Maeum Maru,” a Healing Space for Single-Person Households

Hello! We are the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum Supporters. This time, I’d like to share my visit to a public design facility in Seoul and introduce it to you. Today, in relation to Seoul’s design policy, I’ll be introducing the Dongdaemun-gu Family Center. The City of Seoul has been making various efforts through public design to improve citizens’ quality of life and strengthen the identity of local communities. In particular, the Dongdaemun-gu Family Center is an important facility operated as part of such policies.

Not Just a Smoking Booth? Seoul's Urban Public Design in Action at Cheongnyangni Station

Hello! I’m Yerim Ko, a supporter of the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum. Today, I’d like to share my visit to the newly installed Seoul-style smoking booth near Cheongnyangni Station. A smoking booth? Isn’t that just a place to smoke? Not at all! This is a thoughtfully designed space that reflects Seoul City’s efforts to address urban issues through design.

A Playground in the Heart of the City? Welcome to Seongsu 1 Play Park!

Hello! I'm Ssugo, and I’m excited to be part of the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum as a supporter. Today, I’ll be introducing a spot I recently explored—Seongsu 1 Play Park! Also known as Seongsu 1-ga Children’s Park, it’s just an 11-minute walk from Exit 2 of Seoul Forest Station, or you can take Bus 2224 from Exit 1 of Seongsu Station.

Gray Construction Sites, Out! 'Attractive Fences' That Turn Seoul into an Open-Air Gallery

Hello! This is Nayoung Kwak, supporter of the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum! Have you ever walked past a construction site in Seoul and suddenly been drawn in by a beautifully designed barricade? The surprising star behind this transformation of dull and drab construction sites is Seoul’s very own “Attractive Fences”! Today, let’s explore what these Attractive Fences are, how they bring positive change to urban life, and where you can find these hidden design gems across the city.

Nature-Inspired Welcome Pavilion Debuts at Boramae Park for the Seoul International Garden Show

- The Welcome Pavilion, designed as a symbolic icon of the Seoul International Garden Show, now marks the main entrance of Boramae Park. - It functions as a central hub that integrates rest areas, exhibitions, and interactive experiences, and will later serve as a participatory public space. - Together with the “Haneul-Haneul” rest installation, it is expected to enhance the overall appeal of the Garden Show to citizens. - Starting this year, a newly designed Pavilion will be introduced annually as a signature feature of the Garden Show.

Seoul Unveils Three Urban-Friendly Smoking Booth Designs Centered on Public Consideration

- The Seoul Metropolitan Government has unveiled three “Seoul-style Smoking Booth” designs to address social conflict and visual disorder caused by unregulated smoking in urban areas. - The booths are available in three types—Open, Semi-Open, and Enclosed—based on citizen feedback and expert consultation, balancing public utility and functional efficiency. - A pilot installation will begin on April 26 at Cheongnyangni Station Square, with official design guidelines to be distributed in May for adoption by local districts and private facilities. - This initiative aims to safeguard public health, enhance the city's aesthetic quality, and improve the overall street environment through thoughtful public design.

Seoul Expands Its "Design Companionship" Initiative to Other Metropolitan Cities

- On March 27th (Thursday), Seoul signed an agreement with Busan, launching intercity collaboration through the "Design Seoul" initiative. - The two cities will share accumulated design assets, capabilities, and policies to seek solutions to urban challenges through design. -A joint workshop will be held in Busan from March 27th to 28th, featuring expert presentations, keynote lectures, and participation by public officials. - "Through continued exchange and cooperation with Busan, we will lead innovation in urban design," Seoul city officials stated.

Seoul Launches Unified Public Transportation Brand ‘GO SEOUL’ - Set to Become an Icon of the City

- Applicable to four modes of transportation covered by the Climate Companion Card: buses, subways, public bikes (Ddareungi), and Han River buses - ‘GO’ combined with the infinity symbol (∞) symbolizes the endlessly connected and evolving nature of Seoul’s transport - Expected to serve both as a symbol of convenience for citizens and a representative icon of the city, akin to the London Roundel - Mayor Oh: “GO SEOUL will play a key role in enhancing Seoul’s design-driven identity and global competitiveness.”

[Panel Discussion 2] Designing for a sustainable future

[Chair] Welcome everyone. Today's session topic is 'Design for the Future.' The presentations we've heard from our speakers have been very insightful, covering various aspects that affect both our current lives and future existence. In this panel discussion, we would like to discuss with our session speakers and panelists how various digital innovation technologies, including artificial intelligence, are impacting our public services and product design. Furthermore, we'd like to exchange views on how these changes will guide urban life and our daily existence.

[Session 2] The Convergence of AI and Design: Organizational Culture, Personalization, and Ethical Leadership

[Kaya Kim] Hello, I'm Kaya Kim, Senior Specialist at Design Center of LG Electronics. Today, I'd like to talk about AI and design from a different perspective than the public or academia, from the perspective of working in a company looking at products and markets.

[Keynote Session 2] Service Design for the Desirable Cities – Smart Living through Design

[Birgit Mager] What Makes Cities Desirable? When we consider desirable cities, urban design and aesthetics - which we discussed extensively in the morning session - are crucial elements. This includes architecture, planning, public spaces, and historic preservation. However, these aspects alone don't complete the picture. A truly desirable city encompasses multiple dimensions. We must consider livability, economic opportunity, and sustainability. Infrastructure and mobility play vital roles, alongside community and social cohesion. Culture and lifestyle shape the city's character, while education and innovation drive its future. Resilience ensures its longevity, and governance and leadership guide its development. All these aspects can be addressed through design, particularly service design - a field I began teaching in 1995 when it was entirely new. Over the past 30 years, I've had the privilege of experimenting with, framing, and expanding this field until it became what we might call "the new normal" in many organizations and governments worldwide.