This is the first in a weekly series that examine the expanding role of design as the run up to the Herald Design Forum 2014 on Nov. 26. -- Ed.



The Herald Design Forum 2014, a celebration of creativity and innovation in design, will explore the changes that design will bring to life in its fourth edition in November.

Under the title “Design Spectrum, Expanding the Definition of Design,” the forum, organized by Herald Corp., will discuss the influences of design in various fields, including architecture, product design, fashion and food. 

Scheduled for Nov. 26, the forum will invite distinguished figures in design and audiences to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, the newest addition to the modern cityscape of Seoul. Speakers will share their inspirations and thoughts on the role of design in today’s life.

The forum will kick off with talks by celebrated architects Rem Koolhaas and Joon Paik. Koolhaas, professor at Harvard University and curator of the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale, is one of the most influential figures in contemporary architecture. His recent works include the CCTV headquarters in Beijing and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s new building. He also designed a gallery space in the Samsung Museum of Art and the Museum of Art, Seoul National University. 

Paik, vice president of Seoul-based architecture firm Changjo Architects, designed the world’s first commercial spaceport in New Mexico, U.S.

In the second session, leading industrial designers will talk about responsibility and sustainability in design. The invited speakers have all contributed to innovative design projects. 

Matthew Cockerill, associate design director at Seymourpowell, designed the Air France’s first-class seats, considered to be innovative and competitive in the fierce airline competition. Alex Schill, creative director of Serviceplan, an advertising agency group in Europe, worked with global companies such as BMW and Google. 

This session will gather Cockerill, Schill and Daniel Kim, partner of the San Francisco-based design consultancy Daylight who will talk about innovations in corporate and organizations led by creative minds based on his experience at the design consultancy group IDEO.

Urban landscape designers herald major design revolutions in cities.

Two leading figures in urban design will talk in a session under the theme of transformative design for landscape. The speakers are Hwang Na-hyun, founding partner of NHDM, design firm in architecture and urbanism and Jeff Vandeberg, founder of Vandeberg Architect. Hwang and Vandeberg brought fresh changes in urban design, leading key projects such as transformation of the 2-kilometer disused New York Central Railroad into a park and the Chelsea Market, respectively.

Fashion designer Olivier Theyyskens who worked with major fashion houses, including Rochas, Nina Ricci and Theory will speak about his design inspiration and design elements that differentiate him from others. 

Two artists working in unconventional fields for design will talk about their own experience with design.

Artist Chris Riggs famous for the art toy sculptures will speak in a separate session about inspirational design for art.

Peter Callahan, caterer and food stylist, will talk about incorporating design elements to food presentation based on his catering experience to the U.S. President Barack Obama, Martha Stewart, Vera Wang and Tory Burch.

Along with the lectures, creative design products will be available for purchase during the Herald Design Market. The market held in partnership with Seoul Design Foundation will present a variety of design products including tableware, practical décor items under the theme of “Natural, Organic and Well-being.”

A charity event will be held with the online shopping site G Market where design products of some 20 designers will be up for sale. Proceeds will be donated to charity organizations such as the Korean Open Doctors Society and used to create funds for young designers.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)