A conversation with designers Seungji Mun and Hosuk Jang about sustainability and design – Samsung Global Newsroom

For Milan Design Week 2023, Samsung Electronics is collaborating with two famous Korean designers to showcase the elevated bespoke vision of “Bespoke Home, Bespoke Life”.

Designer Seungji Mun, well known for his minimalist, functional and eco-friendly industrial designs, and designer Hosuk Jang, an interior and space architect renowned for catering to a variety of different lifestyles, brought their unique design philosophies to stand durability and sustainability. Design areas respectively.

Samsung Newsroom spoke with the artists to learn more about their exhibits and the background to the collaboration.

Connecting with nature and sustainability through tailoring — Seungji Mun

Born and raised on Jeju Island in South Korea, Mun established his first studio in Copenhagen, Denmark, and found inspiration in Korean and Danish aesthetics for his designs. He has had many experiences working on sustainability-related projects and is known for his eco-conscious “Economical Chair” and “Four Brothers” designs. The sustainability area that Mun worked on is called “We Breathe”.

Q: After collaborating with Samsung and Bespoke devices on designs such as “Just Cabinet” and “My Island”, what motivates you to continue working with Bespoke?

(Seungji Mun) The Just Cabinet design was my first project with Samsung Bespoke. We approached the ‘bespoke’ concept of the Bespoke fridge as a piece of furniture rather than a kitchen wall, integrating it seamlessly into the design of the cabinet. Our goal with this project was to show how kitchen appliances can transcend the traditional boundaries of the kitchen and become part of other areas, such as the living room, to be part of a different story in people’s lives. This project was a great opportunity and launched various other collaborative projects with Samsung.

Q: A recurring theme in your designs is the need to coexist with nature. What do you think makes sustainable designs – and especially eco-friendly appliances – so important today?

(My) In the world we live in today, going green is no longer a special matter but rather a necessity. This is now one of the most important factors to consider as we move forward with our designs. Therefore, I believe that designing with sustainability and eco-consciousness in mind should be the norm rather than an exception. Additionally, I believe that household appliances are most closely associated with our lives, so it seems inevitable to me that products that reflect sustainability values ​​will see an increase in production.

Q: Could you tell us more about the latest collaboration “We Breathe” and what it says about sustainable living?

(My) In “We Breathe” we sought to create a design that merges the front side of our devices and the side of our homes that we see every day with the dark, hidden interiors of those same devices. In doing so, we created the visual image of these devices resting and storing their energy in the same space that we also live and breathe. Additionally, as most exhibit components are made from recycled materials, we have made every effort to convey the message of sustainability.

Q: Bespoke Life’s sustainability philosophy is to make sustainability a natural part of everyday life. How did you incorporate the Bespoke philosophy into the design?

(My) Bespoke Home introduced the concept of designing its interior with a wide variety of color choices and created a new type of demand in a predominantly white home appliance market. In addition, Bespoke conveys durability values ​​through interchangeable panels that extend the life of the products. “We Breathe” also reflects the bespoke vision through the reduction of wasted resources by using recycled materials while maintaining an aesthetic design.

True customization for any household and individual — Hosuk Jang

After working as a graphic designer in New York, Jang founded Hosting House for the space design and lifestyle industries upon his return to Korea. Today, Jang is a leading figure in his field with a host of accolades to his credit, including the Designer’s Choice of the Year award at the 2018 Seoul Living Design Fair. “.

Q: Your work is rooted in restoring and improving various ways of life. What do you think makes lifestyle design so important today?

(Hosuk Jang) I believe it’s important that people have the freedom to pursue designs that suit their individualistic lifestyle. Creating design options that encourage users to develop their own styles is what drives my work today.

Q: As a designer, what possibilities do bespoke appliances create in terms of catering for different lifestyles and interiors?

(Jang) Bespoke Appliances have ushered in a new era for appliance design by offering customization with a wide variety of colors, materials, and even layout configurations.

Going a step further, new bespoke products have been launched recently that allow users to participate in more sustainable lifestyles at home. As sustainability becomes a priority for many facing climate change, features that can help reduce environmental impact have become essential for consumers.

Q: You have previously partnered with Samsung and Bespoke appliances on designs such as ‘The Laundry Bar’ and ‘Garden of Air’. What is it about Bespoke that inspires you to keep collaborating?

(Jang) When we were first commissioned by Samsung Home Appliances in 2019 for the bespoke project, the first thing we felt was that they really wanted something new.

For our part, we thought we could integrate the fridge to be part of the kitchen decor instead of just decorating it as a separate unit. The result was a wall with modular photo frames that users can rearrange themselves. Later, with the Laundry Bar project for the Bespoke Grande AI, we took a similar approach, integrating the washing machine into the wall with the decorated door to blend seamlessly into the space.

We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work on various bespoke projects with Samsung. And for this Fuorisalone project, the idea was to present these Bespoke concepts outside of Korea, for the first time, with Milan as the stage.

Q: How does “Framed” combine lifestyle-focused designs with the true customization of Bespoke?

(Jang) We took our “Framed” project, which was created in 2019 to celebrate the launch of Bespoke, and the Laundry Bar, our 2020 concept created to celebrate the launch of Bespoke Grande AI and refreshed them for Fuorisalone 2023.

For the design elements of “Framed”, we mixed modern luxury with classic design. These design choices for “Framed” were my vision for interior decor that is unfettered by boundaries, expressing my creativity through various techniques and devices. It also reflects Bespoke’s vision of true personalization, emphasizing that interior design is not just for professionals but something everyone can achieve according to their taste, personality and lifestyle.

Q: What advice would you give to consumers looking to spruce up their homes with bespoke appliances?

(Jang) I believe the biggest advantage of Samsung Bespoke Home devices is that they can blend in with other devices in any space. Or, if you’re looking to change up your decor, consider Bespoke a blank canvas on which to explore new ways to express your creativity.

Whatever your personal taste or the variety of sizes, configurations and materials, your bespoke designs can easily keep pace with your changing lifestyle.