In 2007, concurrent with the opening of Design Center Busan, International Design Center NAGOYA (IdcN) and Design Center Busan (DCB) implemented the IdcN–DCB design exchange project, aiming for the promotion of mutual understanding and exchange of designers from both regions through the centers’ cooperation and coordination.

This year, the Korea-Japan Exchange Exhibition was part of the comprehensive design event Design Week 2010 Busan. With the theme, Qi-Digital Energy, we developed an ambitious plan in order to show the now of digital design. To the conventional poster exhibition, we added film and animation, presenting a total of 120 pieces by 115 creators from Japan and South Korea. Along with the advances in technology, we’ve seen a rapid growth in the possibilities for expression, visible in the work of graphic designers exploring the micro- and macrocosmic theme of qi or energy by approaching the ever subtler boundaries enabled by digital technology, and in the film and animation work of the younger generation raised in an era in which the digital is commonplace. (IdcN)

Digital Expression: Getting to the Heart of the Human Condition

In 2009, International Design Center Nagoya and Design Center Busan planned their third exchange project, on the theme of Qi-Digital Energy. The Chubu Creators Club had supported the projects since the first one, so we decided to use the same theme for the Graphic Work Exhibition portion of the Korea-Japan Design Exchange Exhibition and called for entries from our members.
The technology behind digital expression has undergone extensive evolution to become what it is today, but as it becomes more and more precise, we will expect expressions of subtle feelings and sensations, and visual experiences that jolt the emotions; it will be expected to express the essence of the human condition. What kind of qi can we express digitally? Discovering the possibilities for digital expression of the human condition is a difficult task, but at the same time, very meaningful.
We were very grateful for this opportunity to show our work again, and we hoped that the work spoke to the audiences of the thoughts and intentions of the members of the Chubu Creators Club.
(Yutaka Takehara/Chairman, Chubu Creators Club)

Visitors’ comments
◎It was a good chance to see the difference and similarity of both Korea and Japan.
◎I hardly see Japanese designer’s work. This exhibition changed my idea.
◎After I saw many works, I can think different way.
◎It is very interesting that one animation made by hundreds pictures makes us laugh and cry.
◎If animation hasn’t developed this much, our life could be boring.

IdcN-DCB Design Exchange Project
2010 Korea-Japan Design Exchange Exhibition “Qi – Digital Energy”
In 2007, concurrent with the opening of Design Center Busan, International Design Center NAGOYA (IdcN) and Design Center Busan (DCB) implemented the IdcN-DCB design exchange project, aiming for the promotion of mutual understanding and exchange of designers from both regions through the centers’ cooperation and coordination.
This year, the Korea-Japan Exchange Exhibition was part of the comprehensive design event Design Week 2010 Busan. With the theme, Qi-Digital Energy, we developed an ambitious plan in order to show you the now of digital design. To the conventional poster exhibition, we added film and animation, presenting a total of about 120 creators from Japan and South Korea.
Period: Mon., November 15 2010 – Wed., November 17 2010
Venue: Exhibition Hall I・II, Design Center Busan

*An article on animated short film in contemporary Japan is available. Please see the related content(s).