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Kookmin University Hosts Inaugural DBEW Award Ceremony in Milan

From Hankyoreh · (4m ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Kookmin University and the international design association ADI co-hosted the first DBEW Award ceremony in Milan, Italy, recognizing innovative design education and outcomes.
  • The award, themed 'Design Beyond East & West,' attracted over 800 submissions from 44 countries, highlighting Asian design values within global trends.
  • The event emphasized collaboration between students and educators, fostering discussion on the future of design in the AI era.

As a leading institution in design education, Kookmin University, in partnership with the prestigious ADI, proudly hosted the inaugural DBEW Award ceremony during Milan Design Week. This event, 'Design Beyond East & West,' is more than just an award; it's a testament to our commitment to bridging Eastern aesthetics with global design discourse and fostering a new paradigm for the AI era.

This award is the only model in the world that honors both educators and students.

— Andrea CancellatoThe Director of the ADI Design Museum highlighted the award's unique approach to recognizing both students and educators.

The overwhelming response, with over 800 submissions from 44 countries, underscores the global appetite for design that transcends borders and embraces diverse cultural values. The DBEW Award uniquely celebrates the synergy between students and educators, recognizing that groundbreaking innovation often emerges from collaborative mentorship. This approach sets us apart, highlighting the profound, yet often undervalued, contributions of educators in shaping the future of design.

The value lies in the 'dialogue' that occurs during the process, not just the finished product.

— John ThackaraA jury member emphasized the award's focus on the process and authentic exploration of problems over a single correct answer.

We were honored to welcome esteemed figures like Paola Antonelli, John Thackara, and Stefano Giovannoni, whose insights enriched the discussions on design's future. The participation of global media and leaders like Cumulus President Lorenzo Imbesi and Italian Ambassador Emilia Gatto further solidified the award's international standing and the importance of cross-cultural collaboration.

The synergy between the university's deep research assets and the execution capabilities of design companies gives birth to true innovation.

— Student award winnerA student articulated the need for collaboration between academic research and industry for genuine innovation.

The success of the DBEW Award is a significant milestone for Asian design, demonstrating its growing influence and unique contributions to the global stage. It reaffirms Kookmin University's role in pioneering design education that is both forward-thinking and culturally resonant, preparing the next generation of designers to tackle the challenges of an increasingly complex world.

We desperately need a curriculum that allows industrial designers to deeply understand manufacturing processes and business mechanisms.

— Student award winnerA student expressed the need for practical, in-depth understanding of manufacturing and business within design education.
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Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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