International Design Leaders Gather in Busan
Exploring Educational and Social Innovation through Empathy and Imagination
The College of Design at Dongseo University (President Jang Je-guk) and the RISE Project Group successfully co-hosted the international design symposium, 'DESIGN SUMMIT Busan 2025,' which concluded on September 2 at Dongseo University's Jurye Campus.
This event, held under the theme 'Designing Empathy & Futures,' brought together global design leaders who are at the forefront of the world design industry, creating a profound exchange platform with next-generation designers.
Jang Ju-young, Dean of the College of Design, opened the summit by stating in her opening remarks, "Design is more than just a skill; it is the power to shape the future through the language of empathy and imagination." She emphasized her hope that this symposium would serve as a venue to explore both educational and social innovation.
President Jang Je-guk, in his welcoming address, highlighted the following: the achievements of Dongseo University in specialized design and cultural content, collaboration with the Minerva Project, and the significance of the launch of Stella College of Arts in 2027. He expressed his expectation that this summit would be a valuable opportunity to share such challenges and visions and to discuss the future of design and the value of empathy.
He also stated, "As Busan grows into a global design hub, I hope that our students seize the opportunity to connect with countries around the world."
Oh Mi-kyung, Director at the Busan Future Design Headquarters, also delivered congratulatory remarks, presenting the potential for collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships between the city and universities, and expressing her expectations for the role and responsibility of local universities.
The keynote session, the core of this summit, featured the following speakers: Professor Ico Migliore of Politecnico di Milano, Professor Na Geon, Chief Designer of Busan Metropolitan City (both Distinguished Professors at Dongseo University College of Design), Davin Stowell, Founder of Smart Design, and Professor Lee Geon-pyo, Dean of the School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. They illuminated from various perspectives the theme of "How design can expand human-centered empathy and contribute to future society."
In particular, the 'Open Floor Q&A' session that followed the keynotes provided an enthusiastic forum for students to directly ask questions to the speakers, resulting in lively discussions and debates.
The intersection of passionate questions from the younger generation and the deep insights of world-renowned scholars demonstrated that SDSB 2025 became a stage for intellectual exchange across generations, going beyond a simple lecture format.
SDSB 2025 was promoted as part of the platform expansion of the Asia Design College Consortium (ADCC), a collaborative network among Asian design universities.
This is expected to serve as an important stepping stone for Busan to reestablish itself as a center for design education and innovation in Asia, and as a foundation for Dongseo University to continue its leading role.
Kim Tae-wan, Head Professor of the Graduate School of Design, delivered the closing remarks, summarizing the event and presenting the vision that "SDSB will become a regular event and develop into a global design education platform connecting the region and the world."
SDSB 2025 concluded successfully with the full support of the Dongseo University RISE Project Group. Going forward, Dongseo University plans to continue leading international cooperation and creative innovation in design education, further spreading new global design discourses.
Global design leaders who lead the world design industry gathered in one place to create a deep exchange platform with next-generation designers. Provided by Dongseo University
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