6 Great Design Insights from My Trip to South Korea — Issue #51

1. Bike-Friendly Staircases: During my stay in Seoul, I rented a public bike and rode along a bike path across the Han River. This path took me under city bridges and through unexpected places. One of the most intriguing sights was a long set of staircases equipped with half-pipes running along the sides and middle. This simple design allows cyclists to easily roll their bikes up or down the stairs without the hassle of lifting and potentially damaging them. A smart and practical solution that made navigating the city's terrain much easier for cyclists and promoted more sustainable travel.

2. Robotic Assistance at the Airport: At the airport, I was amazed by robots that assist travelers. By scanning your boarding pass, the robot tells you where your gate is. If you need assistance, you can place your hand luggage and bags inside the robot, and it will follow you to the gate. This is especially helpful for the elderly, families with kids, or anyone needing extra help. Another small yet effective feature at the airport was a scale with a raised table to easily adjust your luggage weight, a convenience I've not seen in US or international airports. These little solutions show how technology can enhance the travel experience by providing convenience and reducing stress, in UX terms, enhancing the overall traveler user experience.

3. Ground-Level Traffic Lights: In Seoul, I noticed that almost everyone is on their phones, whether on the streets, trains, or anywhere else. To address this, the traffic lights at pedestrian crossings also have corresponding lights on the ground edges. This ensures that people engrossed in their phones can still safely know when to cross or stop. A simple but very effective safety measure that could prevent many accidents and keep pedestrians safe. It was a clever adaptation to modern-day behavior and a great way to ensure to ensure public safety.

4. Efficient Escalator Design: The Lotte World Mall, an enormous shopping center with 10 floors, has an innovative way of moving people between floors. Besides the regular escalators connecting each floor, there are longer escalators that skip every other floor. This clever design helps manage the flow of people more efficiently within the mall’s vast space. Now, I'm guessing this might be standard practice in the world of architecture, but it was great to experience it first-hand. It made navigating the mall much quicker and more convenient, reducing congestion and enhancing the shopping experience.

5. Creative LED Screen Displays: South Korea’s love for LED screens is evident everywhere in the city. With major brands like Samsung and LG based there, you can only guess why that's so. I saw LED screens in almost every imaginable shape and size. From zig-zag and block shapes to wavy designs, the creativity and innovation in these displays were truly impressive. These screens were not only used for advertisements but also for art installations and public information, making the cityscape vibrant and dynamic. It was like stepping into a futuristic world where technology seamlessly blends with everyday life.

6. Welcoming Music Tones: One of the first things that caught my attention was the use of friendly music tones in public spaces. The small security carts at the airport, which typically make loud beeping noises, instead played charming, Nokia 3310-like ringtones from the 90s. It was a pleasant and effective way to alert people. Similarly, in the subway, a triumphant melody plays when the train is about to arrive at the platform, adding a touch of charm to the daily commute. These musical cues were a thoughtful way to enhance the user experience, making public spaces feel more welcoming and less stressful.

It's amazing how even the simplest designs can leave a lasting impression. Being open to new experiences and paying attention to the little things around us can be incredibly inspiring. My trip to Seoul was a delightful journey, and I fell in love with the city and people. It’s now one of my favorite cities, and I walked every bit of it, setting a new record with 40k steps per day (YEAH!). Visiting new places, especially for the first time, can offer a fresh perspective and countless inspirations.

I hope these small design insights from South Korea inspire you as much as they inspired me. Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring!

And as always...

Dream Big!
Hussain Almossawi

My Keynote at Adobe Substance Days

It was an incredible honor to be invited as a keynote speaker at Adobe Substance Days in Seoul. My presentation took the audience through my creative journey, from a passionate kid and dreamer eager to learn design to working in corporate America across various industries and finally starting my own studio.

I shared insights into my process and workflow, emphasizing how Adobe Substance has profoundly impacted my work and design process. Through various techniques and examples, I demonstrated how this powerful tool has enabled me to bring my creative visions to life. The event was a source of great inspiration, not only from sharing my journey but also from the incredible speakers and attendees. I left with new friendships and a renewed sense of passion for design.

Thanks for having me!