KIDP Strives to Be a World
-Class Design Service Organization

KIDP seeks to make Korea a 'quality nation'through design promotion

Amid increasing attention to design all around the world, coupled with the proven effectiveness of design promotion, design has already emerged as the core factor in raising national competitiveness as well as having an important cultural aspect. The Korean government, in particular, has been carrying out an intensive 'design promotion'drive, initiated by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP).
The Korean government, having come up with 11 knowledge-based industries spotlighted for future growth, has decided to pour 970 billion won over the coming eight years for research and development into the area of knowledge-based service industries such as design and fashion.
Toward that end, the government has set up a master plan for increasing the portion of the gross domestic product (GDP) filled by knowledge-based service industries from the current 26 percent to 30 percent in the next five years.
KIDP has been the very center of the government's pursuit of R&D projects and has been conducting various design promotion projects with strong support from the central government.
Since its inauguration in 1970, KIDP has aimed at revolutionizing the Korean export structure by promoting the field of design, and has engaged in a variety of activities to assist in the advancement of the Korean design industry.
Its mission is classified into three major categories. First, it assists enterprises'design development. It has provided consulting services to, and match-making with expert design companies and designers for, companies needing design development in the areas of merchant production, image, packaging, and branding.
In order to cope with the increasing interest in the environment and public facilities, it has been carrying out public design projects on a trial basis since 2006. It has been further promoting the project since 2007 with the goal of improving the image of public buildings with images compatible to the regions'particular characteristics.
For this purpose, the institute has been distributing a 'design manual'to provincial governments across the country, with contents ranging from examples from advanced design countries to the management of design-related departments.
Well aware of the importance of colors as a significant factor in realizing the perfection of public design, KIDP has been proceeding with the "advancing colors of the Korean Peninsula"projects. In addition, the institute has been assisting small- and medium-sized companies'design development by joining hands with the Federation of Small and Medium Business.
KIDP has hosted numerous significant international design events with a view toward enhancing the stature of Korea's design on the international stage. Besides mapping out projects for enhancing the Convention on Design Promotion, it has been holding the Korea Design Award and the Korea Design Exhibition, aimed at producing capable designers. The institute has also been selecting "good design (GD)"products with the goal of helping companies develop advanced designs.
KIDP has been focusing on fostering capable designers. It has been educating young aspirants in order to nurture them into world-class designers and to this end, it has been implementing various projects in cooperation with universities and businesses. By operating the design experience pavilion, it has been providing youngsters, housewives and teachers with opportunities to get first-hand experience with modern design.
The main events for the remainder of this year include the 2007 Venture Design Award at the Korea Design Center on Nov. 9, and the Design College Expo at the COEX Convention Hall from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19. The Convention on Design Promotion will be held on Nov. 29 at the Korea Design Center while the Design Korea 2007 International Conference is scheduled for Nov. 29- Dec. 6 at the COEX Atlantic Hall in southern Seoul. The Korea-China Design Forum will be held at the Korea Design Center Dec. 3-4. nw

A debate on design gets under way at Korea Design Center.

Pupils experience design at the design experience corner.

A throng of people participate in the 'LOVE4Design Walking Festival.