Design Miami will launch its first-ever Seoul edition at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza this September, marking a significant milestone for the prestigious design fair's expansion into Asia. The venue selection holds special meaning, as the DDP was designed by the late Zaha Hadid, who was honored as Design Miami's very first Designer of the Year in 2005.
Jen Roberts, CEO of Design Miami, explained the symbolic importance of the venue choice in a recent email interview. "The choice of the DDP as our venue for the inaugural Seoul edition feels symbolic of our ongoing mission to expand Design Miami's reach to new and global collectors, while remaining true to our original outlook and founding principles," Roberts said. "It's both a tribute to our origins and a testament to where we're headed."
Seoul was selected as the natural choice for the fair's first Asian edition due to its unique cultural position. "As a UNESCO City of Design, the Korean capital is both a hub of cultural heritage and a center of contemporary innovation – a place where tradition and the future coexist in a uniquely dynamic way," Roberts explained. The city's dual identity perfectly aligns with Design Miami's mission to celebrate both heritage and innovation.
This year's exhibition theme, "Illuminated," draws inspiration from the Korean word "jomyeong." Roberts noted that "the title 'Illuminated' speaks to the idea of shining a light – both on Korea's rich design heritage and on the pioneering creativity shaping its future." The theme reflects the exhibition's goal of highlighting Korea's distinctive position in the global design landscape.
The 14-day exhibition will showcase more than 170 works that span traditional craft and contemporary design, demonstrating Korea's rich creative spectrum. Featured pieces will include Yoo Da-hyeon's sculptural leather works inspired by Joseon-era weaving techniques from 1392-1910, Kim Dong-jun's wood-fired porcelain moon jars, and bold experimental forms by Lee Hak-min and Kim Kye-ok that resonate on the international stage. This diverse collection aims to foster meaningful exchange between Korean creators and the international design community.
The Seoul edition represents part of Design Miami's broader In Situ initiative, which offers a revolving program of highly localized experiences to global audiences. This approach will serve as Design Miami's central focus moving forward, emphasizing the importance of cultural context in design appreciation. "Two-way exchange is essential – celebrating the uniqueness of local perspectives while situating them within a truly global conversation," Roberts explained.
Roberts emphasized Korea's particular relevance to this vision, noting that "Korean culture is deeply rooted in heritage yet constantly pushing into the contemporary, offering a perspective that is both distinctive and globally resonant." This balance between tradition and innovation makes Korea an ideal location for Design Miami's expansion strategy.
To mark this significant occasion, Design Miami has formed a partnership with the Herald Design Forum, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year as Korea's leading platform for design discourse. Roberts highlighted the natural synergy between the organizations, stating that "both Design Miami and Herald have long been committed to design education in its many forms."
The collaboration represents a strategic alliance that leverages both organizations' strengths. "This year's collaboration is a perfect example of how we are able to leverage the capabilities of our respective brands to create a truly powerful experience," Roberts concluded. "Design Miami presenting 170-plus works of exceptional Korean design and Herald complementing the exhibition with thoughtful discourse for our visitors to experience around the impact of Korean design on a global scale."
