“Think, Make, Change.”
The global design community will gather in Seoul this September to address pressing issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and rapid technological transitions. The aim is to reframe these challenges through design, moving from new perspectives and ideas to tangible solutions and change.
On September 15, the Seoul Design Foundation unveiled the official brand identity (BI) that encapsulates Seoul's design vision and the direction of the 2027 World Design Assembly.
The 2027 World Design Assembly is an international design event co-hosted by the World Design Organization (WDO). It will take place from September 22 to 25 at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Notably, 2027 marks the 70th anniversary of the WDO, making this a significant occasion for the global design community to discuss the future and role of design.
The core message of the WDO Assembly is ‘Think. Make. Change.’ This emphasizes the importance of viewing problems from new angles (Think), translating ideas into actionable results (Make), and ensuring those results lead to positive societal and environmental changes (Change).
The BI and official website design were developed by the graphic design studio ‘Everyday Practice.’ The BI symbol consists of four distinct forms that create a unified visual language.
The color palette draws inspiration from the diverse aspects of Seoul, reflecting its greenery, the Han River, sunsets and dawns, autumn hues, nighttime neon signs, and the city’s stone and concrete. This variety of colors represents Seoul's vibrancy and energy, harmonizing different shades within a cohesive system.
The foundation envisions the 2027 World Design Assembly as more than just a platform for new design discourse; it aims to evolve into an 'action platform' where cities, businesses, designers, and citizens collaboratively develop solutions and experiment with real change.
An official website will also be launched, providing an overview of the assembly, key news, upcoming programs, speakers, registration details, and related events.
On October 14, the Seoul Design Conference 2026 will host a preview of the World Design Assembly in Seoul at DDP, introducing the assembly's vision and direction to both domestic and international audiences. The conference will feature talks on AI, technology, design, creativity, and sustainable futures, with prominent figures from various fields sharing their insights.
Cha Gang-hee, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, stated, “The 2027 World Design Assembly in Seoul will be a place where diverse perspectives and fields converge to create new ideas, leading to action and change. With the unveiling of the BI and the launch of the official website, we aim to create new possibilities and practices in collaboration with the global design community.”
Meanwhile, the World Design Organization (WDO), established in 1957, is an international design organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through social, economic, and environmental design initiatives.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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