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“Seoul’s approach to design and their designation as the World Design Capital 2010 constitutes a perfect example of design thinking.” This was the impression of Adrienne Viljoen, manager of the SABS Design Institute on her return Seoul, South Korea in February. Viljoen visited the city in her capacity as member of the International Advisory Committee of the 2010 Seoul World Design Capital (WDC) of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid). According to Viljoen Seoul has been able to marry the old with the new and move it into the future when it comes to design. “Nothing in Seoul’s approach to its Design Capital status happens in isolation – it all forms part of a greater whole,” says Viljoen.
Seoul was named World Design Capital 2010 two years ago. This biannual designation, run by Icsid on behalf of the International Design Alliance (IDA), started off with Torino, Italy being the WDC in 2008. Helsinki has already won the bid for WDC in 2012. The aim is to identify and recognise cities that have effectively used design to revive the city and improve the quality of life of its citizens. The WDC designation promotes the importance of good design in strengthening and empowering cities to use the totality of design disciplines to position their competitive advantages from a social, cultural and economic point of view. Major projects currently in development for WDC Seoul 2010 include the Seoul World City Design Summit, design fairs; construction of the Dongdaemun Design