Kookmin University students win Red Dot Award for diabetes care design

A design project by students from Kookmin University has earned international recognition, winning a Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2026. The project, named 'INSPO,' was developed by Kang Ha-neul (Industrial Design, Class of '21) and Lee Min-seo (Industrial Design, Class of '20).

The Red Dot Award is considered one of the world's top three design awards, alongside the IDEA Awards in the U.S. and the iF Design Awards in Germany. The Design Concept category specifically seeks to discover innovative ideas and forward-looking design concepts that have not yet been released to the market.

'INSPO' is a smart insulin care solution designed for individuals with diabetes. Its design emphasizes intuitive operation and a lifestyle-centered approach, aiming to seamlessly integrate medical devices into daily life. The project focused on reducing the inconvenience diabetes patients experience with insulin management and transforming medical devices from mere treatment tools into products that reflect users' personalities and lifestyles.

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I put a lot of thought into form, function, and usability while preparing the project. I am very happy that the results led to an award at such a prestigious international competition.

The students' achievement is significant as it highlights how design ideas developed through university club activities and exhibitions can gain international acclaim. Their approach was praised for considering not only functionality and usability but also user experience and emotional acceptance, thereby reducing psychological burdens and promoting confident health management.

This award also aligns with Kookmin University's strategic vision, 'KMU VISION 2035: EDGE,' proclaimed during the university's 80th anniversary. The university is strengthening its focus on creative problem-solving and integrated design education within its design and content specialization area, with the 'INSPO' award serving as a prime example of this educational direction yielding international success.

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We shared many thoughts with team members during the process of completing the project and preparing for the exhibition in a short period. It is meaningful that the effort to complete the project in the desired direction led to good results.