Design Promotion Institute Promotes 'Design Innovation Enterprise Development Project'
Supports Customized Services for Design Development and Marketing
Preference for Future Growth Industries... Applications Open Until the 3rd for Interested Companies
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] # Kitchenware company Nineware developed the 'Handy Container' with support from the Korea Institute of Design Promotion. The Handy Container is a storage product that can be used not only in the kitchen but anywhere in the home. With its luxurious design and safe materials, the first batch of 5,000 units and the second batch of 10,000 units were all sold out, creating a 'complete sell-out legend.'
This time, it's K-Design. The Korea Institute of Design Promotion is promoting the 'Design Innovation Enterprise Development Project,' which discovers promising small and medium-sized enterprises and utilizes design as an innovation strategy throughout management. From 2017 to last year, 150 companies were selected and supported with design development, consulting, and market expansion for three years per company. The support amount translates to about 80 million KRW per company.
Nineware participated in this project in 2019 and developed the Handy Container storage product. Its practicality and simple design, usable wherever organization is needed, captured customers' hearts. The white and transparent colors blend naturally with contents, and it was made thicker than other products to withstand higher loads.
Lumena, a wireless small home appliance specialist company that hit a jackpot by launching a portable handheld fan in 2017, operates its own design research center and regards design as a key element of corporate management. The wireless air purifier produced through the Design Promotion Institute’s development project boasts a design worthy of an interior accessory. In 2019, it became the second Korean company to be stocked at Tsutaya Bookstore in Tokyo, Japan, gaining recognition overseas for its excellence.
York is a company that solves social problems by utilizing solar energy and design. With support from the Institute, it launched the 'Solar Cow' project, supplying energy to children in developing countries so they can receive education. In 2019, it gained global attention by becoming the first Korean startup to be named one of Time magazine’s 'Top 100 Inventions.'
This year, the Design Promotion Institute will select 60 companies through a three-stage in-depth evaluation including document review, presentation evaluation, and on-site verification, and proceed with the project. To enable design-driven management by 2023, it will provide customized services needed throughout all stages of product development, including ▲capability diagnosis ▲new product development ▲global marketing.
First, through design management capability diagnosis, 65 companies (selected from 2019 to 2021) will receive consulting in areas such as competitive company technology and user analysis, product concept planning, and development strategy derivation.
Among companies participating in the design management capability diagnosis, 20 companies selected through a separate process will be supported with the 'New Product Development' program, from new product strategy consulting to prototype production for commercialization support.
Additionally, for 30 companies facing difficulties securing distribution and promotional channels due to the spread of COVID-19, global marketing services will be provided, ranging from exhibition participation to promotional material production.
The support targets are small and medium-sized enterprises in manufacturing and service sectors targeting end consumers. Industries with high design involvement and promising future growth potential such as IoT appliances, healthcare, luxury consumer goods, robotics, and mobility will be given preference.
Companies wishing to participate in the Design Innovation Enterprise Development Project can download the application form from the Design Promotion Institute or Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy websites and submit it via email by the 3rd.
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