Gwangju City Selected for Design-Driven Manufacturing Innovation Center Project

Created in Advanced Industrial Complex with Over 3 Billion KRW of National Funding

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 8th that the Advanced Industrial Complex has been finally selected as the site for the ‘2021 Design-Driven Manufacturing Innovation Center Establishment Project’ implemented by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

This project aims to establish a ‘Design-Driven Manufacturing Innovation Center’ that will serve as a manufacturing innovation infrastructure supporting smart industrial complexes by enhancing the design utilization capabilities of manufacturing companies within industrial complexes, from developing new business models to promotion. The Korea Institute of Design Promotion will operate the center.

The Design-Driven Manufacturing Innovation Centers were established in three locations: Gasan Digital Complex in Seoul in 2019, Banwol-Sihwa Industrial Complex in Gyeonggi, and Changwon Industrial Complex in Gyeongnam in 2020. This year, Gwangju Advanced Industrial Complex and Gumi Industrial Complex in Gyeongbuk were selected as target sites.

The evaluation committee, composed of private experts from the design sector, industry, academia, and related organizations, comprehensively assessed not only the site conditions but also ▲the alignment of the local government’s project direction with the national design innovation strategy ▲the excellence of the local government’s design support model ▲the local government’s recognition of the importance of design innovation and understanding of design, ultimately selecting Gwangju Advanced Industrial Complex as the final candidate site.

The area around Gwangju Advanced Industrial Complex is the largest industrial complex in the southwest region, housing 1,506 companies in intelligent home appliances, optical convergence industry, automotive electronic components, etc. In particular, it has high potential for future development as an AI (Artificial Intelligence)-centered industrial convergence complex and a demonstration complex for automotive electronic and IT technology convergence parts.

Additionally, the concentration of research and support institutions such as the Gwangju Design Promotion Institute and the Korea Photonics Technology Institute enables multidimensional support, which is also a strength.

Accordingly, Gwangju City will receive about 3 billion KRW in national funding to establish the Design-Driven Manufacturing Innovation Center in the Advanced Industrial Complex.

The center will include a design development room, CMF (Color·Material·Finishing) archive, studio, and design evaluation room, providing modular support programs tailored to the needs of demand companies such as design capability diagnosis and consulting for small and medium enterprises, product planning and design, sample production, and marketing.

Furthermore, full-cycle support will be provided, including product planning, design development, prototype production and testing, and marketing.

Son Kyung-jong, Director of the AI Policy Bureau of the city, said, “We expect the Design-Driven Manufacturing Innovation Center to greatly contribute to the innovative growth of local SMEs, revitalization of industrial complexes, and activation of the regional economy.”

Meanwhile, Gwangju City established the ‘Gwangju Design Promotion Institute,’ the nation’s first regional design center, in 2005 and founded the world’s first Gwangju Design Biennale. This year’s Gwangju Design Biennale, themed ‘D’Revolution (Design Revolution),’ will be held for two months from September 1 at the Biennale Exhibition Hall and other venues.