A new initiative called the 'Public Design Lab' is set to launch, allowing youth to identify and address local and societal issues through public design.
On May 29, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation announced that eight universities and affiliated research institutes were selected for this year's program, which focuses on the theme of connecting communities and daily life through public design.
The Public Design Lab is a project where university students interested in public issues discover problems within their communities and develop design solutions. The proposed ideas will be implemented in various forms, including spaces, visual materials, campaigns, and workshops, serving as testbeds to validate their effectiveness through community participation. The goal is to establish a youth-led experimental public design platform.
The eight selected teams will showcase public design projects that connect contemporary issues, culture, and local characteristics, focusing on experiences that citizens can feel in their daily lives. The projects will be unveiled during the Public Design Festival, scheduled from October 23 to November 1.
Kongju National University plans to create community-specific spaces and facilities to revitalize urban areas, while Korea Maritime and Ocean University will design collection structures to address the issue of disposable takeout cup waste. Hoseo University will introduce a rest area that encourages physical activity to prevent drowsiness, and both Gangnam University and Yonsei University will develop tailored guidance systems reflecting the needs of children and the elderly.
Baekseok Arts University will implement a nudging design and campaign for a walking path that accommodates both pet owners and non-pet owners. Sejong University will create public furniture that encourages natural interactions in urban settings, and Kyung Hee University will present a resource recycling experiential play space.
Kim Kyung-bae, director of the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, stated, "As the fresh perspectives and experiences of youth accumulate, the ecosystem of public design will also grow. We will continue to disseminate excellent examples of public design that citizens can experience through collaboration among diverse stakeholders."
The detailed operational schedule for each project will be announced later on the Public Design Festival website.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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