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Mission Statement
College of Design Mission Statement:
"To pioneer the future of design education by integrating traditional excellence with technological innovation, cultivating creative leaders who advance human-centered design solutions for global society while preserving and innovating Korea's design heritage."
Core Values:
- Innovation: Korea's first independent design college, continuously pioneering new design fields
- Excellence: Maintaining the highest standards in both practice and research
- Integration: Bridging craft traditions, contemporary practice, and emerging technologies
- Global Citizenship: Preparing designers for international careers while maintaining cultural identity
- Social Responsibility: Design for sustainable and equitable futures
Vision: To be recognized globally as a leading design institution that shapes the future of design education through pedagogical innovation, exemplary creative work, and meaningful societal contribution.
International Role
International Engagement and Collaboration:
Since establishing our first international partnership with the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1995, Kookmin University's College of Design has built a comprehensive global network spanning 18 countries and 54 partner universities.
Key International Initiatives:
DBEW Award 2026 Launched in partnership with ADI Design Museum Milan, this world-first international design award evaluates educator-student collaboration and educational processes. The award features:
- Distinguished international jury including Paola Antonelli (MoMA), John Thackara, Lou Yongqi, and Cho Byoung-soo
- Exhibitions at Milan Design Week and Seoul Design Week
- Establishing new paradigms for design education evaluation globally
Regional Leadership:
- East Asian Design Education Hub: Sustained trilateral collaboration with Japanese (Musashino University) and Chinese (Tsinghua University, Wuhan University of Technology) institutions since early 2000s
- Milan Design Week: Regular student participation in Salone Satellite since 2007
- Joint Research: Collaborative projects with European and North American partners on design education, sustainability, and cultural exchange
Student International Recognition: Students consistently earn awards at iF Design Award, Red Dot Award, Adobe Design Achievement Awards, and Type Directors Club competitions, demonstrating international competitiveness.
Faculty Exchange: Active faculty exchange programs enable teaching, research collaboration, joint publications, and curriculum development with partner institutions across continents.
Role in Global Design Education: Through the DBEW Award and sustained international partnerships, we contribute to global discourse on design pedagogy, particularly addressing educator-student collaboration, AI integration in design education, and East-West design education exchange.
National Role
National and Regional Leadership:
Korean Design Education Pioneer: As Korea's first independent design college (established 1975), we set the precedent for design as an autonomous academic discipline, separate from fine arts—a model subsequently adopted across Korean higher education.
Industry Leadership: Our 10,000+ alumni occupy leadership positions across Korean creative industries:
- Automotive: All major Korean manufacturers (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, SsangYong, Renault Samsung) employ our graduates in senior design roles
- Technology: Design leaders at Samsung, LG, Naver, Kakao
- Design Consultancies: Founders and principals of influential Korean design studios
- Education: Faculty positions at major Korean universities
Historical Impact: Throughout five decades, our graduates pioneered each major wave of Korean design development:
- 1970s: Product, graphic, fashion design
- 1980s: Automotive, advertising design
- 1990s: Digital media, web, ubiquitous, jewelry design
- 2000s: Game, interaction, entertainment design
- 2010s-present: Service, UX/UI, AI-integrated, sustainable design
Seoul Design Community: Located in Seoul's Seongbuk district with proximity to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), we actively engage with:
- Seoul Design Week: Annual participation and exhibitions
- Design Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with major Korean corporations for sponsored projects, internships, and industry research
- Professional Associations: Active engagement with Korean Society of Design Science, Korean Society of Basic Design & Art, Korean Society of Culture and Convergence
- Government Initiatives: Participation in Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism design promotion programs
Social Responsibility: Studio visits, community design projects, and pro-bono work integrate students into Seoul's urban fabric while addressing social needs through design.
Main Focus
Primary Educational Focus:
Kookmin University's College of Design maintains a balanced focus across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education with emphasis on:
Program Distribution:
- Undergraduate (BA/BFA): Core foundation – approximately 2,000 students across 9 departments
- Master's (MA/MFA): Advanced practice and research – multiple graduate schools offering both academic and professional degrees
- Doctoral (PhD): Research and education leadership – comprehensive programs in all design disciplines
Disciplinary Orientation:
- Design: Primary focus encompassing industrial, visual, spatial, fashion, automotive, entertainment, and AI design
- Craft: Metalwork, jewelry, and ceramics integrating traditional techniques with contemporary design
- Research: Strong emphasis on design research, particularly in sustainability, AI integration, social design, and future mobility
- Practice-Theory Integration: Balancing studio-based practice with theoretical rigor and industry collaboration
Educational Philosophy: Human-centered design education combining technological innovation, traditional craft excellence, industry partnerships, and global perspectives. We emphasize both creating professional designers for industry and developing design researchers and educators for academic leadership.
Bachelor Level Programs
- BFA in Industrial Design – 4 years
- BFA in Visual Communication Design – 4 years
- BFA in Metalwork & Jewelry – 4 years
- BFA in Ceramics – 4 years
- BFA in Fashion Design – 4 years
- BFA in Spatial Design – 4 years
- BFA in Entertainment Design – 4 years
- BFA in Automotive & Transportation Design – 4 years
- BFA in AI Design – 4 years
All bachelor programs are 4-year full-time programs leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.
Master Level Programs
Graduate School (일반대학원) – 2-3 years
- MFA in Industrial Design – 2-3 years
- MFA in Visual Communication Design – 2-3 years
- MFA in Metalwork & Jewelry – 2-3 years
- MFA in Ceramics – 2-3 years
- MFA in Fashion Design – 2-3 years
- MFA in Spatial Design – 2-3 years
- MFA in Entertainment Design – 2-3 years
- MFA in Automotive & Transportation Design – 2-3 years
- MFA in AI Design – 2-3 years
- MFA in Integrated Technology (융합테크놀로지학과) – 2-3 years
Techno Design Professional Graduate School (테크노디자인전문대학원) – 2 years
- MFA in Techno Design – 2 years (professional degree, practice-oriented)
Graduate School of Design (디자인대학원) – 2-2.5 years
- MFA in Design – 2-2.5 years (special graduate school, part-time available)
Graduate School of Automotive & Mobility (자동차모빌리티대학원) – 2 years
- MS in Automotive & Mobility Design – 2 years
Standard duration: 2-3 years for full-time students; part-time programs available in special graduate schools.
Research Activity and Main Areas
Active Research Institutes (8 specialized institutes):
The College of Design operates eight research institutes conducting cutting-edge research in:
Main Research Areas:
1. Sustainable Design & Circular Economy
- Eco-materials and lifecycle analysis
- Carbon-neutral design processes
- Sustainable production systems
2. AI-Integrated Design
- Human-AI collaboration in creative processes
- Machine learning applications in design
- Parametric and generative design
3. Social Design & Community Engagement
- Public space design and urban intervention
- Inclusive design and accessibility
- Community-based participatory design
4. Cultural Heritage Innovation
- Contemporary interpretation of Korean traditional crafts
- Cultural preservation through design
- Heritage-inspired contemporary applications
5. Future Mobility & Transportation
- Autonomous vehicle design and UX
- Urban mobility systems
- Transportation futures
6. Service Design & Systems Thinking
- Strategic design for services
- Design thinking methodologies
- System-level design interventions
7. Design Education Pedagogy
- Educator-student collaboration models (DBEW Award research)
- Design education for the AI era
- International comparative design education
Research Output: Faculty and students regularly publish in international journals, present at major conferences (CHI, IASDR, Design Research Society), and participate in competitive research funding programs. The college's research is characterized by strong industry partnerships with Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia, enabling applied research with real-world impact.
Doctorate Level Programs
Graduate School (일반대학원) – 3-5 years
- PhD in Industrial Design – 3-5 years
- PhD in Visual Communication Design – 3-5 years
- PhD in Metalwork & Jewelry – 3-5 years
- PhD in Ceramics – 3-5 years
- PhD in Fashion Design – 3-5 years
- PhD in Spatial Design – 3-5 years
- PhD in Entertainment Design – 3-5 years
- PhD in Automotive & Transportation Design – 3-5 years
- PhD in AI Design – 3-5 years
- PhD in Integrated Technology – 3-5 years
Integrated Master's-Doctoral Programs – 5-8 years
Combined MS/PhD programs are available, typically requiring 5-8 years for completion.
Standard duration: 3-5 years for full-time doctoral students after completing master's degree; integrated programs 5-8 years from bachelor's degree.
Subject Areas for Exchange Students
Exchange students can study in any of our nine departments, subject to prerequisites and language requirements:
Design Disciplines:
- Industrial Design: Product design, UX/UI design, design research
- Visual Communication Design: Graphic design, typography, branding, editorial design, motion graphics
- Metalwork & Jewelry: Contemporary jewelry, metalwork, craft and design integration
- Ceramics: Contemporary ceramics, traditional Korean pottery techniques, material research
- Fashion Design: Apparel design, textile design, fashion illustration, sustainable fashion
- Spatial Design: Interior design, exhibition design, public space design, spatial planning
- Entertainment Design: Video production, motion graphics, multimedia design, game design
- Automotive & Transportation Design: Vehicle design, mobility systems, transportation futures
- AI Design: AI-integrated design, generative design, human-AI collaboration
Interdisciplinary Opportunities:
- Cross-departmental studio courses
- Graduate school seminars (for advanced students)
- Research institute participation
- Industry-sponsored projects
English-Taught Courses: Selected courses offered in English each semester; expanding English instruction is a 2025-2030 strategic priority. Current English offerings focus on:
- Design theory and history
- Design research methods
- Selected studio courses in industrial and spatial design
Korean Language Support:
- Korean language courses available through university language center
- Studio-based learning facilitates participation even with limited Korean language skills
- Department coordinators provide language support for exchange students
Application Deadlines
For Spring Semester (March start):
- Application Deadline: October 31 (previous year)
- Notification: Late November
- Arrival: Late February
- Semester Period: March – June
For Fall Semester (September start):
- Application Deadline: April 30 (same year)
- Notification: Late May
- Arrival: Late August
- Semester Period: September – December
Application Process:
1. Nomination by home university to Kookmin University Office of International Affairs
2. Online application submission through Kookmin portal
3. Required documents:
- Official transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Study plan
- Proof of language proficiency (English: TOEFL/IELTS; Korean: TOPIK if available)
- Portfolio (for design students)
Notes:
Early application strongly recommended for housing allocation
Portfolio requirements vary by department; contact specific departments for guidelines
Exchange students typically take 12-15 credits per semester
Teaching Languages
Primary Teaching Language:
- Korean: Primary language of instruction across all programs
English Language Options:
- English-taught courses: Selected courses offered in English each semester, primarily in:
- Design theory and history
- Design research methodology
- Some studio courses (varies by semester)
- Graduate seminars
- Expanding English offerings: Part of our 2025-2030 internationalization strategy
- Current capacity: Approximately 10-15% of courses available in English
Language Support for Exchange Students:
- Studio-based learning: Design studios are highly visual and hands-on, enabling participation with limited Korean proficiency
- Bilingual faculty: Many faculty members speak English and can provide guidance
- Peer support: Korean students often assist international students
- Korean Language Program: University language center offers Korean courses at all levels
- Department coordinators: Assigned to support international students
Language Requirements:
- For Korean-taught courses: TOPIK Level 3 or higher recommended but not required for exchange students
- For English-taught courses: TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0 recommended
- Portfolio review: May substitute for standardized test scores in some cases
Recommended Preparation:
- Basic Korean language study before arrival highly beneficial
- Intensive Korean language course offered before semester begins (optional, additional fee)
- Many courses in design use visual communication, reducing language barriers
Semester Dates
Academic Calendar (Approximate Dates):
Spring Semester:
- Orientation for Exchange Students: Late February (last week)
- Semester Start: Early March (first week)
- Midterm Exams: Late April (weeks 8-9)
- Final Exams: Mid-June (weeks 15-16)
- Semester End: Late June
- Total Duration: Approximately 16 weeks
Fall Semester:
- Orientation for Exchange Students: Late August (last week)
- Semester Start: Early September (first week)
- Midterm Exams: Late October (weeks 8-9)
- Final Exams: Mid-December (weeks 15-16)
- Semester End: Late December
- Total Duration: Approximately 16 weeks
Summer/Winter Sessions (Optional):
- Summer Session: July – August (6-8 weeks, intensive courses)
- Winter Session: January – February (4-6 weeks, intensive courses)
Academic Holidays:
- National Holidays: Korean public holidays observed
- Mid-term Break: Usually 1 week in April (Spring) / October (Fall)
- University Festival: May (Spring semester)
Important Notes for Exchange Students:
- Arrive at least one week before semester start for orientation and settling in
- Housing available from one week before semester through one week after
- Academic calendar subject to minor adjustments; final dates confirmed 2-3 months before semester
- Festival period (May) includes College of Design exhibition and performances
Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)
TOTAL ESTIMATED MONTHLY COST:
- Minimum (frugal): ₩1,300,000/month (approximately $975 USD)
- Average (comfortable): ₩1,800,000/month (approximately $1,350 USD)
- Including materials: ₩2,100,000/month (approximately $1,575 USD)
One-Time Costs Upon Arrival:
- Housing Deposit: ₩500,000-1,000,000 ($375-750 USD, refundable)
- Bedding/Household items: ₩100,000-200,000 ($75-150 USD)
- Alien Registration Card: ₩30,000 ($22 USD)
Cost-Saving Tips:
- University cafeteria significantly cheaper than outside restaurants
- Public transportation very efficient and economical
- Many free cultural activities in Seoul
- Student discounts widely available
- Share textbooks and materials with classmates
- UIT Design Center provides subsidized access to equipment and software
Exchange Rate Reference: ₩1,300 = $1 USD (approximate, subject to fluctuation)
Notes:
- Costs reflect Seoul Seongbuk-gu area (university location)
- Seoul is more expensive than other Korean cities
- Design students may have higher material costs depending on major
- Part-time work restricted for exchange students on D-2 visa
- Scholarships may be available through home university or Kookmin University
