Seoul Design Foundation and IKEA Korea, Strategic Collaboration on 'Sustainable Design'

Common Goals of 'Improving Citizens' Quality of Life' and 'Design for All'

At the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Seoul Design Foundation and IKEA Korea held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Frederik Johansson, CEO of IKEA Korea (right in the photo), and Choi Kyung-ran, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, are posing for a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Design Foundation announced on the 27th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IKEA Korea to create a society where citizens can be happy and live better lives through sustainable design.

This agreement was made based on the vision of the Seoul Design Foundation and IKEA's pursuit of the value of "Democratic Design," which advocates "design for all," with the common goal of improving the lives of citizens living in everyday spaces, especially urban spaces.

It is significant that the public sector and private companies have come together with the intention of revitalizing the lives of citizens who have spent more time at home since the outbreak of COVID-19. Both parties plan to continue strategic collaboration to implement shared design directions through this MOU.

As the first step, a 'SUPerbag Sharing Event' will be held at the end of the year for 250 children from vulnerable foster families. The foundation will produce auxiliary bags that children can comfortably use by utilizing approximately 1000㎏ of upcycled materials (scrap fabric) donated by IKEA, and include upcycling educational materials so that children can practice upcycling in preparation for a circular society future.

Fredrik Johansson, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of IKEA Korea, said, "Through this MOU, we will plan and actively participate in various activities so that more people can practice sustainable and healthy living at home and in their daily lives."

Choi Kyung-ran, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation, said, "We look forward to various collaborations in the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) design projects, care design, universal design, and DDP brand store sectors to realize the foundation's vision to improve citizens' lives and IKEA's philosophy."