Dongseo University, the only university in South Korea that is a full member of the World Design Organization (WDO), is organizing an international symposium to expand exchanges and joint research among Asian design universities. The Design College of Dongseo University will hold the ‘DESIGN SUMMIT Busan 2025’ (abbreviated as SDSB 2025) at the university’s Cultural Center Concert Hall.
SDSB 2025 is designed to expand the activities of the Asian Design College Consortium (ADCC), an alliance of Asian design universities led by Dongseo University. Supported by the Dongseo University RISE project group, the consortium, launched in June, aims to create an “Asian-style design exchange platform” that reflects Asia’s unique culture and future-oriented educational vision, similar to the European Erasmus exchange program. The plan is to include 20 major Asian design universities in education cooperation and joint research within the next five years.
The theme of this symposium is “Designing Empathy & Futures.” Design leaders from around the world will gather in Busan to interact with the next generation of designers and explore how design can contribute to human life and societal development.
Keynote speakers include Professor Ico Migliore from Politecnico di Milano, Professor Lee Kun-pyo, Dean of the School of Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Davin Stowell, founder of the American design firm ‘Smart Design,’ and Global Designer of Busan, Professor Na Gun. During the public Q&A session that follows, these speakers will engage in open dialogue with local students and professionals.
In July, Busan secured the designation of ‘World Design Capital 2028,’ setting the stage for its emergence as a global design city. Given that this event is being held at Dongseo University, a leading design-focused university in Busan, it is expected to serve as a platform to connect global design discourse with regional innovation.
Jang Joo-young, Dean of Dongseo University’s Design College, stated, “Dongseo University aims to lead the innovation in design education not just in Busan, but in Asia and globally. We hope to drive the development of the local cultural industry and contribute to Busan’s growth into a central hub for Asian design.”