SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The 2014 Seoul Design Week kicks off on Wednesday, offering opportunities for local citizens and global tourists to experience the next-generation design.
The design week, sponsored by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and organized by the Seoul Design Foundation, will last over five days, creating synergy between various design events and promoting brands.
"During Seoul Design Week, we plan on promoting various design events to be held across Seoul to strengthen and reinforce Seoul's design capacity," said Baek Jong-won, CEO of the Seoul Design Foundation.
"We will do our best to discover and develop the hidden design potential of Seoul so as to establish it as a major design city in Asia, along with Tokyo and Beijing."
In particular, China's Internet giant Alibaba Group Holding, along with Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group, organizer of the Beijing Design Week, will sign MOUs with organizers of Seoul Design Week on Wednesday to sell Korean design products on Alibaba 's on-line platform Tian Mao.
The main program of the week includes five main events. 2014 Seoul Design Festival, the largest design exhibition in South Korea, marks the 12th anniversary this year. Under the theme "Well- aged Life, Well-balanced Design," the festival offers a look into the future of design regarding the positive effects it might have in the construction of a healthy city. Various design exhibitions will be held during the festival.
During the design week, the 2014 Herald Design Forum will get together world-renowned designers and experts, including Rem Koolhaas, Olivier Theyskens, Chris Riggs and others from fashion, architecture, as well as the food and toy industries to discuss the theme "Reimagining the World."
Besides, "Seoul Design Spot Tour," which includes 150 design spots, will enable designers and general public to share their ideas about design in "open studio".
A design talk show will invite six world famous designers to experience the design spot tour and hold an open conversation.
"What we want to convey is that the next-generation design is not only exists in these big events, but related to everyday life, " said Baek.
Another exciting event is the "Herald Design Market" with the theme of "Healthy life, healthy design." Kitchenware, tableware, as well as natural, healthy and eco-friendly food is displayed.
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