about   |   mailing list   |   writing   |   archives

South Korea

0+1=1

Seoul: 2 + 1
A Korean baby is born aged 1, when most other cultures start aged 0. Ask a Korean how old their child is and they’ll give …



More »
22 Jun 2011

In: Cultural Norms, Seoul
Comments Off on 0+1=1

Roast + Grind

21 Jun 2011

In: Design Inspiration, Seoul
Comments Off on Roast + Grind



A beautiful balance to this sign for a coffee roaster + cafe in a converted old-home. There’s something about drinking coffee from freshly roasted then …
More »

Bag, Unattended

21 Jun 2011

In: Cultural Norms, Seoul
Comments Off on Bag, Unattended



A long weekend cruising around Seoul, including refills in many fine coffee establishments. This photo captures one of those fine ‘I’m not back home’ feeling …
More »

Evolving Screen Literacy

20 Jun 2011

In: Design Inspiration, Seoul
Comments Off on Evolving Screen Literacy



ATM includes the usual touchscreen (at the bottom of the photo) and a display that updates infrequently – to the unobservant eye it could just …
More »

Freshness, Implied, Actual

20 Jun 2011

In: Cultural Norms, Seoul
Comments Off on Freshness, Implied, Actual



For every food – the final preparation that takes place at the table – stirring, cutting, basting, … , and its impact on the meal …
More »

Entry Stamp, Exit Stamp

20 Jun 2011

In: Design Inspiration, Seoul
Comments Off on Entry Stamp, Exit Stamp



Nice attention to detail on the entry and exit stamps for South Korea.
More »

Vehicle Impact Study

20 Jun 2011

In: Cultural Norms, Seoul
Comments Off on Vehicle Impact Study



Choose, display your car’s environmental impact on a scale of 1 to 5.
More »

Cars By Numbers

26 Oct 2010

In: Cultural Norms, Seoul
Comments Off on Cars By Numbers



The South Korean penchant for posting phone numbers to cars to make it easier for boxed-in neighbours to find a way out. Contact information supplied …
More »

Future Display

26 Oct 2010



If you want to understand the future of displays, you need to spend time in South Korea. It’s that simple, that unevenly distributed.
More »

Remote Notification

17 Oct 2010

In: Cultural Norms, Seoul
Comments Off on Remote Notification



A remote notification object (previously known as a pager), popular in South Korean cafes. It’s interesting how the form (octagonal, flat, fits awkwardly into pocket, …
More »