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 Enhances Urban Aesthetics by Integrating Art Across the City
- Creation of "Attractive Fences" featuring illustrations around long-term construction sites, such as Aeogae Station and the Namsan Gondola project. - Works by renowned illustrators like Subsub, CUNA, and Glory showcased. - Collaboration with L’Oréal Korea to display artworks by disabled artists on the covers of Seoul-style street trash bins. - The city remarked, “We aim to highlight Seoul's charm by incorporating art into urban spaces. Look forward to various street installations at the end of the year and the start of the next.”
[Abstract] Design Connecting People, Cities, and the Future: Focusing on Seoul’s Design Policies
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has implemented “people-centered design” that citizens can tangibly experience in their daily lives, and “creative design” that enhances the city’s attractiveness and global competitiveness. Looking ahead, it aims to advance toward “future-oriented design,” opening new pathways to address the pressing global challenges of climate change, digital transformation, and shifting lifestyles.
You Won’t Believe This Is in Seoul, Haneulhaneul & Welcome Pavilion
Hello! I’m Lia, and I’ve just joined as a supporter for the 2025 Seoul Design International Forum! Have you ever thought about how public design impacts our daily lives? In fact, public design goes far beyond simply creating a visually pleasing city. It plays a vital role in improving quality of life, strengthening community safety, and revitalizing local economies and culture.
Universal Design for Public Space
Korea's aging population has increased rapidly since 2000, and it is expected to become a full-fledged aged society around 2018. The Third Basic Plan for Aging Society with Low Fertility, announced on October 18, 2015, includes various plans, such as reviewing the age classification for elderly from 65 to 70 years old. This shows that the aging of the population is recognized as a full-fledged social phenomenon, and that policy preparations are in progress. The concept and principle of universal design as a social phenomenon As awareness of our aging society increases, the application of universal design is also increasing. The first attempt at Universal Design was initiated by the Danish Parents' Association for Disabilities, and later emerged in 1970 as Barrier Free Design and Inclusive Design. The term ‘Universal Design’ was first introduced in Korea around 2000. The concept of universal design was defined by Ron Mace, director of the Universal Design Center at the University of North Carolina, as "designing products, spaces, or buildings that are considered for use by as many people as possible." The same concept was called Barrier-Free Design in Japan. Europe uses the terms Inclusive Design and Design for All. Universal design is an environmental safety design that provides a convenient and fair opportunity for anyone, regardless of age, gender, nationality, or disability, and covers a wide range of areas, including education, culture, information and services.
Design 2.0 Design Policy and Future Strategies
I am honored to be speaking with Thomas Heatherwick and Shigeru Ban and I think the interesting designs of Lee Dal-woo was a good stimulus. I will. I will now think again about the actions to be taken by a big city like Seoul Metropolitan Government. My presentation will be about the fun city with vitality, Seoul. I will be presenting in the order of 5 Vision Principles that were carried out.
How about a run after work? The Runner's Station inside Yeouinaru Station, a hot place for runners, is now open!
Hello! This is Seo ballgeum, the supporters of the 2024 Seoul Design International Forum! Running is really becoming super popular these days! You can see it being discussed in a fun way on TV shows, and since it doesn't require much equipment—just some simple workout clothes—it’s an easy and convenient exercise for many people to enjoy. Running is definitely on the rise as a favorite activity for a lot of people now!
Monthly <Design> Sep Issue. The Charm of Cities Told by Designers: SDIF 2025
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has made continuous efforts to build a city where design becomes a standard for everyday life. Starting with “Design Seoul 1.0” in 2009, the city expanded its strategies through “Design Seoul 2.0” and various design policies. Now, in 2025, Seoul presents a new vision for enhancing the city’s global appeal and charm through the theme “Attractive City of Seoul: Designing a Better Global Life.”
Asking about the past, present, and future of cities. [2023 Seoul Design International Forum, Humanising Cities:Human•Design•City] Inside the lively scene!
Hello! I am Miyeon Kim, a supporter of the 2023 Seoul Design International Forum. Do you know about Seoul Design (www.sdif.org) and the Seoul Design International Forum? Seoul Design is a vision for Seoul that responds to the challenges facing the community due to various global issues, enhances the competitiveness of the city, and allows everyone to live a happy life. Seoul Design also aims to: - Develop creative and sustainable design solutions to solve the various problems that people face in their daily lives, creating a safe, convenient, and sustainable urban environment. - Lead the world's cities through design that reflects innovative technologies and the city's unique characteristics. - Increase the number of distinctive design contents in everyday life, satisfying the emotions of citizens and providing impressive experiences to drive the city's attractiveness. - Be a design community in which many people, including experts, industry, and citizens, participate and discuss together. Last year, the 2022 Seoul Design International Forum was held under the theme of "How Design Enrichs the Future." This year, it was held under the theme of "Humanising Cities:Human•Design•City" Under the vision of a human-centered city, we looked back on how Seoul was illuminated and shared our opinions to increase the competitiveness of the city. The Seoul Design International Forum, which is held every year based on the Seoul design I introduced earlier! It was held face-to-face for the first time in four years since COVID-19, with expert speakers from all over the world, and we vividly captured the scene!
Seoul transforms 'Runner Station' construction site into MZ Holin's 'attraction fence'
- Works by popular MZ generation artists on display from 3.29~4.14 at the construction site inside Yeouinaru Station - Construction site fence as a FUN space instead of a disconnecting space...Opportunity for emerging artists to participate in public design - Seoul, "Attraction fence that provides daily 'fun' to citizens... Expected to be utilized as an exotic photo spot"
Solving Diverse Common Social Problems of Seoul through Design
Seoul is an old city where people first began living 6,000 years ago. During the Joseon Dynasty, the capital was enclosed by four gates, but under Japanese rule, the Japanese government established the Governor-General for 36 years of colonial rule. Afterwards, during the Korean War, Seoul was bombed and the city was turned to ashes. Despite all these difficulties, Seoul joined the OECD in 1996 through rapid economic growth that is called the miracle of the Han River, and in 1988 Seoul introduced itself to the world by hosting the Olympics. Such economic development brought benefits, but on the other hand, it brought the negative problems that go with large cities such as environmental pollution, overcrowding, traffic problems, and social problems. In terms of design, signboards that cause visual pollution in the city center, unplanned skylines, and environments covered with obstacles remain yet another challenge for Seoul to solve.
[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.
[2023 Seoul International Design Forum] Space for Seniors' Health: 100-Year Courtyard
Hello everyone! I was selected as a Seoul Design International Forum supporter, and I recently visited the "100-Year Courtyard" located at the Songpa Senior Comprehensive Welfare Center, one of the many places in Seoul that use design. As you know, outdoor activities have been restricted for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be dangerous as it can have a serious impact on the health of the elderly. In particular, dementia is a serious health issue that is emerging in the elderly population these days, and the risk of dementia is higher if you are less active outdoors. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has created a space design called "100-Year Courtyard" to help adults grow their physical, emotional, and social health.