Design’s role in an era of climate crisis and AI transformation takes center stage
- World Design Congress 2027 to bring the global design community to Seoul in September 2027, with the Congress to be held at DDP and a Design Declaration to be unveiled.
- Redefining the role of design amid the climate crisis, AI transformation, and urban challenges through the theme ‘Think, Make, Change’.
- Official brand identity inspired by Seoul’s nature, urban landscape, heritage, and future, conveying a social message from the design community.
- Messages of support from Sumi Jo, Edward Lee, Songzio, Sang-jin Oh, and others: “May Seoul open up new possibilities for design”
The challenges facing the world are becoming increasingly complex. Climate change, resource depletion, rapid technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), and growing disparities between cities and generations are reshaping the world around us. In the face of these profound changes, the global design community is asking fundamental questions: What should design think about today? What should it make? And what kind of change should it create?
Seoul explores its role and journey toward the future of global design
Design is no longer limited to creating beautiful products and spaces. It is expanding into a tool for change that reshapes relationships between people and technology, cities and nature, while encouraging better choices and actions. Seoul Design Foundation (CEO Kang Hui Cha, hereinafter “the Foundation”) is unveiling the official brand identity (BI) for World Design Congress 2027 Seoul. The new identity reflects Seoul’s vision for design in
response to the changing times and conveys the direction of the Congress. The Foundation is also launching the official website for the Congress.
World Design Congress 2027 Seoul is an international design event co-hosted by World Design Organization (WDO) and Seoul Design Foundation. The 35th edition of WDO’s flagship international Congress, the event will take place from September 22 to 25, 2027, centered at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Marking WDO’s 70th anniversary, the Congress will bring the global design community together in Seoul to explore the role and future of design.
From Seoul’s vision to global action: ‘Think, Make, Change’
The newly unveiled BI begins with Seoul’s distinctive urban landscape and experiences. From old and new, nature and the city, to stillness and energy, Seoul is a city where seemingly different elements coexist side by side. Drawing on this character of Seoul, the BI and official website express the vision of World Design Congress 2027 Seoul: bringing different perspectives together to create a sustainable future.
The core message of the WDO Congress is ‘Think. Make. Change.’ It calls for us to look at problems from new perspectives (Think), turn ideas into concrete action and outcomes (Make), and ensure that these outcomes lead to positive change for society and the environment (Change).
The BI and official website were developed by graphic design studio Everyday Practice. The BI symbol is composed of four distinct forms that come together to create a unified visual language.
The color palette is also inspired by Seoul’s diverse character. Drawing from the city’s green spaces and the Han River, sunsets and dawn, autumn hues, neon lights at night, and the stone and concrete of the urban landscape, the palette captures Seoul’s diversity and energy. Different colors come together within a single visual system, representing
harmony amid diversity.
This approach reflects the direction of World Design Congress 2027 Seoul and its message of ‘Think, Make, Change’: to move beyond discussing complex challenges such as the climate crisis, resource circulation, human-technology coexistence, and sustainable cities, and connect ideas to concrete action.
Building on this vision, the Foundation aims to develop World Design Congress 2027 Seoul not simply as a platform for presenting new design discourse, but as an action platformwhere cities, businesses, designers, and citizens come together to develop solutions and experiment with meaningful change.
From BI to website: connecting with the global design Community
Alongside the launch of the BI, Seoul Design Foundation is also launching the official World Design Congress 2027 Seoul website.
The website will provide an overview of the Congress and the latest news, with information on the program, speakers, registration, and related events to be released progressively.
The website also features messages celebrating the upcoming Congress from prominent figures in Korea’s cultural and design communities, including Sumi Jo, Edward Lee, Songzio, and Sang-jin Oh.
Sumi Jo expressed her hope that “Seoul’s design will resonate beyond borders.”Edward Lee said he looks forward to “seeing the future of design unfold in Seoul, where tradition and innovation coexist.”
Songzio shared his hope that “Seoul’s heritage and bold imagination will become a force for opening up new possibilities.”
Sang-jin Oh expressed his support for “Seoul’s journey toward creating a better future through design, in the spirit of ‘Think, Make, Change.’”
One year ahead of the Congress: Seoul preview to take place in October
The World Design Congress Seoul Preview, part of Seoul Design Conference 2026, will take place at DDP on October 14 2026. Ahead of the main Congress in 2027, the Preview will introduce the vision and direction of World Design Congress 2027 Seoul to audiences in Korea and abroad. Featuring talks on topics including AI and technology, design and creativity, and a sustainable future, the event will bring together leading figures from diverse fields to share perspectives and inspiration.
Kang Hui Cha, President of CEO of Seoul Design Foundation, said: “World Design Congress 2027 Seoul will be a place where different perspectives and fields come together to generate new ideas and turn them into action and change. Beginning with the launch of our brand identity and official website, we will work with the global design community to create new possibilities and meaningful action in Seoul.”
The World Design Congress 2027 will be a defining moment for our global design community, an invitation to think boldly, make responsibly and create change together," shared WDO President Pradyumna Vyas. “More than just a theme, ‘Think. Make. Change.’ captures the spirit of what we hope to achieve in Seoul: bringing diverse perspectives together, turning ideas into action and designing for the challenges ahead. This time next year, we look forward to gathering in this vibrant city as we celebrate our milestone 70th anniversary and explore where design needs to go
next.
The official website for the World Design Congress Seoul 2027
www.worlddesigncongress2027seoul.com