SEOUL DESIGN MARKET

Overview
"World Design Market_Seoul(WDM_Seoul)," hosted by the city government of Seoul and organized by the Seoul Design Center, is a design information system established as part of the project "World Design Capital_Seoul." The WDM_Seoul aims at boosting Seoul's design industry by linking the domestic and overseas design industry and encouraging the promotion, both domestically and overseas of design institutes, designers, material, and trend information.

Network
This website provides information through an established network with America's Core77 which are well-known design institutes. Core77, a design webzine launched in 1995, provides services to a broad user base ranging from global design specialists to students. It mainly focuses on promoting contemporary design trends through diverse media, including articles, forums, event products, design companies, schools, and vendors.

Operation
No member sign-up is required to access the information provided on this website. Content is available for viewing by any user without signing up or the submission of personal information. The bureau provides basic technical support in order to protect the proprietary information of companies and designers serviced on this website.

Copyright
This website serves as a virtual space for introducing companies and designers to the global marketplace. Thus, the copyright of all the content provided by the companies and designers are owned by the providers, i.e. the original producers. Every user intending to use the copyrighted content shall obtain the approval and consent of the copyright owner.

Future Plan
This website, launched on October 10, 2008, aims at the sustained development of Seoul's design culture. Towards "2010 World Design Capital_Seoul", the website will constantly be renewed and improved, and by 2009, provide interactive online and offline link services. Furthermore, by entering user information online, we plan to enable the simultaneous accumulation of valuable information.

Design Market: What is "d galleryshop"?
"d galleryshop" provides services for design specialists and non-specialists to appreciate and purchase high-quality design work pieces of Seoul. It also provides information regarding the design philosophy of the artist and the design concept of the work, mainly based on designers participating in exhibitions, and introduces art pieces that are not mass-produced, thus serving as an online gallery. d galleryshop will prove to be an excellent opportunity for users to meet creative and high-quality design products of Seoul's young designers, who are otherwise not much exposed to the public.; How are the designers selected?
The potential designers shall be in possession of design works of commercial value, have won renowned design awards, and have exhibition experience.; Going beyond merely purchasing a product, how can I contact a designer
to discuss about future collaboration or B2B issue?
You can access the contact tab on the website to mail the staff in charge for inquiries.

Designers: What is "d portfolios"?
d portfolios translates and provides portfolios of designers based in Seoul who boast both an excellent career path and expertise. It also serves as a space for overseas promotion for designers, and ensures successful matching services with design companies. The ultimate aim of d portfolios is to actively promote competent Korean designers globally, and to share information on the design talents who will be leading the future of design.; What criteria was the selection of designers for "d portfolios" based on?
Designers introduced on this website have won renowned design awards at home and abroad, held exhibitions, created works of high quality, and are currently employed in the industry.; How does the overseas promotion space and matching services with design companies work?
d portfolios primarily aims at introducing and promoting competent designers, which should lead to actual business deals or contact with domestic or foreign companies and/or other institutes, where we step in as a facilitator of such business by communicating with the relevant designers. Inquiries as such are notified to designers by our administration staff.

Design Firms: What is "seoul d firms"?
seoul d firms translates information about experienced and competitive design companies based in Seoul into English and introduces them to overseas design markets. Upon translating the company overview and portfolio information, design companies from home and abroad looking for matching services are provided with useful information and actual opportunities for business. seoul d firms will serve as a space for promoting Seoul's design companies, which have, until now, not been promoted in this way, online and offline, both at home and abroad.; How can I view information on Seoul-based design companies?
Information on companies currently registered on the website is available both in Korean and in English. Select EN from the "KO/EN" tab in the upper left corner and you will be able to view the information in English. Should you wish to search any design companies, go to the menu, "seoul d firms", and then "Search by area." Companies are categorized into 15 different groups, including Architecture, Branding, Design Management, etc. Select the category you wish to look up, and the company names will be listed in alphabetical order. For an advanced search, check the "Advanced Search" tab beside "Search by area," and you will be able to use different search functionalities, such as search by keyword, title, area and "who's who."; What is the category "Design Seoul: Who's Who"?
"Design Seoul: Who's Who" is a project launched in 2005 by the Seoul Design Center, whose aim is (the) worldwide promotion of an excellent design legacy for the city of Seoul. Its ultimate goal is to promote Seoul's design industry by selecting high-performing design companies and research institutes based in Seoul and introducing their portfolio on the website.; If I wish to do business with design companies introduced on the website, what should I do?
If you need any help in doing business with the company you desire, please do not hesitate to mail the bureau member in charge of the company (found) by clicking on the "contact" tab.

Design Internship: What is "d internship"?
d internship provides internship information and link services for Seoul's design students and graduates. In cooperation with the renowned Core77, portfolios of design majors and designers are translated into English and distributed to design companies worldwide. Ultimately, we aim at introducing qualified designers to the global market under the brand "World Design Market_Seoul", which will be further strengthened to facilitate matching services between designers and companies.; What criteria was the selection of participants in d internship based on?
The participants selected are students attending four-year universities or graduate schools based in Seoul and graduates thereof with three years or less vocational experience. They are usually recommended by the school dean, and are required to have, as of the date of notification, a Korean nationality, no reasons for being disqualified to travel overseas, English and/or relevant language proficiency, as well as a good statement of purpose and portfolio.; If design companies are interested in hiring a designer as an intern or a full-time employee, what has to be done?
Should design companies and institutes have inquiries regarding recruitment, they can access the contact tab on the website to mail the inquiries to the staff in charge