A Distant Ligh 2014, aluminium, steel, LED, W 90 X D 7.5 X H 110 (meter), United Visual Artists / Selfridges and Co.

As an industrial designer in UVA -United Visual Artists-, I explored methods to create light manipulation with architectural scale object. Distance light installation has 58 louvres to emit the full bright light with LED strips (60 pitch per metre, 25mm spacing). Projected lights show the moving images -inspired by eclipse- from front side. I also focused on construction as well as considering install sequence. This project is also collaboration with engineering company “Packmanlucas” where is expertised in architectural installation.

As an industrial designer, I was responsible to deal with every process from concept development with creative director to manufacturing and engineering phases. UVA / Artisan team are inspired by the phenomena of the lunar eclipse and aiming to present an installation that creates shifting patterns of light that evoke the changing phases of the moon for example, lunar eclipse.

In order to achieve our goal, For Test purpose as well as propose for client, I was prototyping the scale model that we can project changing phases. At the same time, I played with various types of RGB LED strip to check proper effect. Plus, actual installation is massive scale to be hold by front column of Selfridges department store in Central London, so that I was working with external engineers in order to create reliable structure with solidworks simulations and off-site observation..

The making of A Distant Light at Selfridges

Due to massive scale of installation, I had to consider some of engineering aspects including sequence of installation, breakdown points for transport, assembly, reduce of material and fabrication cost and research of existing parts that fabricator can apply for. Thanks to rectangular profile of aluminium –hollow-, I come up with solution how we can conceal cables and controller boxes as well as assembly method -middle connector inside of hollow shell-. With external engineers, I simulated deflection of louvres and frames. Every piece of elements is drawn by Solidworks for hand over to makers, and calculation of cost.

E.M.S / Extreme Metal Spinning, 2014, polished aluminium, W 370 x D 350 x H 450, Show RCA 2014

Taehun Ko investigated on the metal spinning process, which is widely used for many domestic products. From single 330 mm diameter of aluminium disc, it can be transformed into a distinguishing part for construction of stool. Three identical parts were cut and welded together with certain angle in order to create ‘arch’ shape of the bottom structure. In result, E.M.S process creates super light and strong seat object.

PLANE CHANDELIER, 2013, brass plated steel, glass, W 1056 X D 1056 X H 754, Tom Dixon Studio

At Tom Dixon Studio, we agreed to present new series of light using combination of several planes. I played with different shape and axis to create huge chandelier which is placed at commercial place. Its aesthetic is inspired by one of classic chandelier, wedding cake chandelier. Arrayed different number of light spheres are designed to reflect each other with brass-plated surfaces. It has same context and language with its family products.

CLEAR, LOUD, BRIGHT, FORWARD, 2015, LED, acrylic, aluminium, W 320 x D 320 x H 300, for United Visual Artists

For the part of Palais Garnier- Paris opera-, United Visual Artists considered to create light interactive pendulum along with movements of dancers. This light bob part emits two different light and shade features in order to create various impression for the audiences. Array of led light projects top projection surface which is made out of acrylic. Down light is directional to make 2m bright spot for dancers. All LEDs are integrated in to machined aluminium heat-sink part.

“United Visual Artists approach bridged the gap between architecture of the set, choreography and music and plays with the relationships between them. The intention was to create dynamic architecture that choreographs light and space and treats the space like a body – an entity that can move.

By turning the stage into a spatial instrument, a space that can dance, architecture becomes a performer alongside the dancers themselves. Areas of the stage are articulated in different ways, delineated by either real or projected light controlled through programming. In turn, the dancers also choreograph the space through their movements within it.”

–United Visual Artists, 2015, www.uva.co.uk/work/clear-loud-bright-forward In order to create two different types of light, directional and projected light, Taehun Ko played with various LEDs and various size and shape of projection plates. Former prototypes had several problems that made the shades of central rod structure due to the central single light source.

To overcome it, we decided to place multiple LEDs array circular around the central structure. Also, distance between projection area and light source is crucial factor due to light leaking. After couple of times of experiments, as a result, the part of bob light could be designed to project articulated and proper multiple light effects at the same time.

DIABOLIC, sepetir, W 550 x D 570 x H 840, Mobjec, BMH gallery

The values and the cultures of East and West are completely different. However, despite the differences, the common formativeness explicitly exists. Reinterpreted dreadful images of Demon or Gye-myeon sang (Asian goblin bust sculpture) grafted onto “Diabolic chair” with familiarity to maximize its details, the sense of both agility and chunkiness are tried. It shows sharp and transitional images of the figure.

L.S.F.C / Lost Soft Foam Casting, cast aluminium, W 365 x D 330 x H 440, Show RCA 2014

Taehun Ko was inspired by “Evaporative-pattern casting” however, it requires and wastes materials to make objects. Thus he explored the way of solving problem as well as new aesthetics. I experimented with various types of soft foam sheeting and finally settled on using Plastazote LD18 and a small hand torch to heat weld the pattern ready for sacrificial casting. The softness of the foam together with the tailoring technique and heat-welded seams present a unique natural plump appearance. Each foam master is ready to be cast at the local foundry in only 15 minutes.

CHEOM, 2011, ash, W 1300 x D 350 x H 1050, Mobjec, BMH gallery

Buildings are such existences that influences product or furniture designs. Orientalism was designed with minimal detail and two dimensional formative lines. A Kyung-Sang (one of small korean table) and the tip of eaves of Korean traditional temple motifs gave a compromising line. From the inspiration of traditional architecture feature, Cheom is re-interpreted into modern shape of design.

SOBAHN, 2011, sepetir, mdf, W 900 x D 780 x H 370, Mobjec, BMH gallery

SoBahn, inspired from Korean traditional small portable tea table, placing importance on a curvature which reminds of a particular animal’s leg, finishes up with oriental details and colour. Such animal leg-like shape coexists inter-culturally between the Orient and the Western. Korean traditional small portable tea table gives an elegant and complex impression, whereas SoBahn reinterprets the old design in modern style featuring the traditional concise details and the elegant curve line.

VERRINE, 2011, chrome plated steel, fabric, W 660 x D 520 x H 1950, Mobjec, BMH gallery

Thought inspired by “Origin of light”. A motif coming from a lighthouse emitting light in the middle of the building. By inspiration of light house emitting, Verrine light covers the top and bottom face with spun metal shade, so the light emits from centre of source. Ho-rong (Korean name), the base of a kerosene lamp, reinterpreted its figure with my own sense, Verrine floor lighting raises its value from the very existence.

Taehun Ko, born in South Korea, always has interests in design, philosophy, and humanities with genuine curiosities. One of the essential questions that he asked himself was “what is the world consisted of?” With such a thought, he suspected that things we see, use, and see are not perfect and believed that people do their best to make up for these imperfection. He himself also makes great effort to overcome his own imperfection through his profession and to broaden his outlook by sharing ideas with people in the different lines of study.

Tae hun Ko

Seatub, 1066(W)*843(D)*1534(H) mm , 2008

Seatub is made of Moulded Carbon fibre fabric (Tub) Polished and die-casted Aluminum (Clawfeet)

Behaviours between ‘sit’ and ‘bath’, there are some instinctive purposes. A chair is an object for a sitting behaviour as a tool which is demarcated a territory by object. Physical relaxation is an essential behaviour through chair the object as we recognised.

Seatub is a lounge chair which came from bathroom. It is started from observing in every day which viewing an existence of object as an evolutional thing. Every objects are developed a symbiosis between factors such as circumstances, objects and users visibly or invisibly.

Seatub the lounge chair experiments to shift a function and to explore a similarity on differ- ent things in daily life. Although, the chair and the bathtub are not a live creature, it can be developed or justified a new creature as an evolutional thing through a shifting people’s per- spectives.

Positives=Negatives is made of CNC-milled ABS plastic and maple wood and lacquer sprayed Dimension is W900*D320*H275(mm) , 2006

“Domestic perspectives” represent that a scene of linking and conflating collective things through a medium of furniture. It is mainly generated that shifting in usage, exploring similarities and form finding around of us. It is not just discuss about narrow spectrums such as a trend.

The object of things can be domesticated with cultural perspectives and open-minded perspectives. Everything has two sides: positive-negative, in-out and above-below. They can be reverse meaning of both sides as well. The Positives =Negatives is basically a low-height-desk. It is possible to reverse it to create a rack for displaying books, amplifier and small goods etc. The Positives =Negatives is motivated by Korean traditional low-height desk's form and color. Radically, this object is composed of lightness

Snows is made of moulded ABS plastics with sanded-polyethylene foam Dimension is W327*D327*H523(mm) , 2006

The snows was inspired by a scene of ‘Kim chi’ (the name of Korean traditional food) jars on a terrace covered in snow. This can be used both as a stool and a storage container. A jar covered in snow is cold thing but the form feels warm and makes you want to sit on it. Also it can be used to store something to use for example like toys, books and bottle of wines etc.

Covered in snow composes the cushion. It looks as if it is covered in snow, but actually the cushion is made of Polyethylene Foam. It is possible to recycle this, just as melted snow returns to nature. It is inspired by the Korean traditional jar's functions and shapes and it is made by plastic (blow mould or gas injected polypropylene).

Saint & Nest are made of CNC-milled ABS plastics and aluminuim with T5 circular lamp. Dimension is W439*D35*H1497(mm); 2006 Saint / W717*D717*H300(mm); Nest The Saint and Nest are a set of floor lamps and a low-height table which can be use in living spaces.
 It doesn’t express religious viewpoints and it isn’t a religious work.

It sets a scene of relaxation
 which can be used when reading books, chatting to someone or when having tea under the lamplight. The floor lamp was inspired by a saint’s halo and it is height adjustable. The table, which can be used for stacking books and magazines inside, was inspired by a nest in a forest.

Twistedtwisted is made of CNC-milled ABS plastics with lacquer sprayed Dimensions are W270*D270*H510(mm) , W250*D250*H470(mm) , 2006

The twisted twisted is a stool whose shape seems to have been wrenched by extreme gravity. This project is the beginning of fundamental work for the next phase which will focus on generating distorted shapes. It shows natural and curved lines that are formed from distortion and it is without straight lines. This is a simple stool, but its distortion has a clear force. If we sit on the stool, the force is likely to transfer to us.

BAEK KI KIM is London-based a Korean designer who investigates inter-disciplinary matter along architectural and industrial territories. He practiced at Samsung Electronics as a designer, and has studied architect at the AA school of architecture that gained many of suc- cessful achievements for his works and researches.

Domain of his work is interconnected among many of disciplines with its process that can be formed through experimental sequences. Also, it can be explored for a new attempt of thinking about what is design. Recently, he starts to investigate emergence paradigm which is driven by parametric phenom- enon and bio-dynamics. His principle of design is that try to engage in design at the intellec- tual and productive works between science, art and design.

Baek Ki Kim

Room 2014 1200 x 1305 x 450 Medium Density Fiberboard

Room 2014 1600 x 530 x 450 Medium Density Fiberboard

This is a cabinet with the motif of a commonly-seen element of interior decoration in a room 'mould'. A hidden handle is created by controlling the thickness of a mould and it is designed to be split when opening the door.

Room 2014

These furniture under the concept of molding can have diverse transformation. More than the shape of a square or rectangular, they can turn to a closet or multi-sized sideboards to be placed in the living room according to spatial functionality.

Lean chair 2009 900 x 970 x 620 fabric, stainless steel

We are slating the glass when we drink the water or liquor. Although we slant it more, the liquor is always to be horizontal. Lean chair is designed to be horizontal with dynamism of inverted triangle shape of cocktail glass slanted. The chair is a glass to have people

Garlic table+stool 2015 900 x 750/350 x 450 Medium Density Fiberboard, ash wood

The garlic is round-shaped but standing well anywhere as it is getting thicker down. Generally, a table has four legs but we have designed a table and a stool with a single leg inspired by the structure of a garlic.

Garlic table 2015

Garlic table in the size of 2100cm horizontally and 850cm vertically can be used by six persons with the structure of garlic-shaped two legs. These legs are united following the processing of four separate hardboard and are painted with diverse colors.

Falling shelf 2011 400 x 400 x 1200 supermirror steel

This is a piece of Korean traditional furniture 'Sabangtakja (open four-sided shelf)'. The etagere-type furniture is open on all sides and only supported by columns. It is originally made of wood and composed of a thin center board strongly connected by butt joint or miter joint, but Falling shelf used a sophisticated metal property 'super mirror' instead of wood. Moreover, it catches eyes on a variety of story made by the reflection of purposely stopped status of a number of falling boards originally having a shelf function.

Forest 2013 2000 x 420 x 800 fabric, oak wood

Trees gathered form a cozy forest. A series of trees creates a small forest forming a backrest on the sofa.

Signature series 2011

Signature series were produced from the most basic lines of furniture generating proper form and function as a motif. This series made from shelves, chairs and illuminations were created after sketching them in a simple shape typically featuring each of them and turning to three dimensions.

Signature shelve 2011 1400 x 350 x 1250 steel ,Powder Coating

Thinking of a furniture with function as shelf, among a lot of lines drown, selecting the most fundamental lines that can form a shape called as a shelf are converted to a body. Horizontal and vertical lines by drawing meet across too make a partition. The line to be horizontal makes a plane as a function of shelf, and the line to be vertical is linked to a post. The cross of perpendicular and horizontal of line and plane is used to be naturally a partition. Signature is made by a combination of simple and brief configuration factors.

Arch chair 2015 ash wood

Arch has the structure widely used during the Roman Empire or by the medieval architects and can support the weight enough. There are lots of arch shapes but here used the simplest shape of semi-circular arch for the structure and function of a chair. Arch used for this chair was designed with totally four legs and same size of back and seat.

Rainbow lighting 2009 Arduino jumper cables , led

It is used with jumper cable that are commonly found inside the electronic product. This cable has various colors, and moreover it has large area with several wire. We cutoff this wire and made bigger size of side linking a LED to each fuse manually.

Jellyfish 2010

Jellyfish resemble illuminations shining stunningly undersea. The look of jellyfish moving freely translucently was used as a motif, and silicone and LED light source were applied to this illumination.

Sponge chair 2009 900 x 900 x 700 sponge, stainless steel

The nature of material-we find possibility in it. It is a very natural work to draw the only and unique potential within the material into the substance. Its designer makes the environment. When the designer leads the subject material appear as a form he or she wants sympathizing with it, and the form plays its role, the ‘soft design’ we think is completed. Soft design is unenforced naturalness.

It draws a form of material which it is necessarily to be in certain nature and environment, respecting characteristics of the material. There is no awkwardness in the form because the unique characteristic of the material is absorbed in it. The material and its form harmonize well. And it is distinguished from hard design, which designers usually make the form by perforce, ignoring the nature of the material and setting it into the form already made that is somewhat awkward.

Pot-stool 2012

This stool was designed using a flower pot as a motif. It resembles a 45cm high big pot and yet, made from elastic sponge, gives us light and soft impression.

Jonghwan Baek, a chief designer at WGNB, studied at Kookmin University, graduate school and he has worked in many different fields as a space and furniture designer. He undertook some high-profile space work, including the lake house which is famous as ‘Hyunbin’s house’ in TV drama ‘secret garden’, papyrus optician’s retail shop, Kyobo book center, Lotte premium food market and Dexter studios.

In addition, the furniture he designed was on display at Kimiart gallery, Zaha museum, Culture station seoul 284. He was credited for his job not only domestically but also internationally, so that won the JCD Design Award as well as Red dot award, winning them in 2014. His work has been published in major design publications like FRAME, PLUSDESIGN, Archdaily, Designboom and so on.

WGNB