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.
The event will explore the role of design amid the climate crisis, AI transformation, and urban challenges through the theme ‘Think, Make, Change’.
The official brand identity is inspired by Seoul’s natural and urban landscapes, its heritage and future, conveying a social message from the design community.
“May Seoul open up new possibilities for design.” Sumi Jo, Edward Lee, Songzio, Sang-jin Oh and other leading creatives express their support for the Congress.
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”) has unveiled the official brand identity (BI) for the World Design Congress 2027 in 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 Seoul 2027 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 22 to 25 September 2027 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 branding identity 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 branding and official website express the vision of World Design Congress Seoul 2027: 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 branding and official website were developed by graphic design studio Everyday Practice. The branding symbols are composed of four distinct forms that come together to create a unified visual language.
The colour 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 colours come together within a single visual system, representing harmony amid diversity.
This approach reflects the direction of World Design Congress Seoul 2027 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 not simply as a platform for presenting new design discourse, but as an action platform where cities, businesses, designers, and citizens come together to develop solutions and experiment with meaningful change.
A brand that connects the global design community
Alongside the launch of the branding identity, 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 programme, 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
A preview of the World Design Congress Seoul 2027 will take place at DDP on 14 October 2026 as part of the Seoul Design Conference 2026. Ahead of the main Congress in 2027, the preview will introduce the vision and direction of the World Design Congress Seoul 2027 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 and 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.
For more information on the World Design Congress Seoul 2027, visit: www.worlddesigncongress2027seoul.com
