K-GRAPHIC IN-DEPTH: Korean Graphic Design in the Heart of Culture, Society, and Change
In South Korea today, graphic design is more than just a creative discipline—it’s a cultural force. Whether in the sleek, layered visuals of K-POP, the rising tide of independent publishing, or the socially conscious work of feminist and queer designers, Korean graphic design is a living, breathing reflection of its time.
K-GRAPHIC IN-DEPTH is a deep and thoughtful exploration of this dynamic landscape. As the sister volume to K-GRAPHIC INDEX, this book moves beyond surface-level aesthetics to examine the motivations, social contexts, and philosophies that shape design in Korea today.
A Three-Chapter Journey Through Contemporary Design and Its Ecosystem
Chapter 1｜The Art of Pop Culture — The Visible and Invisible Layers of K-POP
The first chapter turns the spotlight on K-POP, where graphic design plays a key role in crafting the genre’s global image. Featuring studios like SPARKS EDITION, GAGARIN, and PADOSTUFF, this section reveals how album covers, promotional visuals, and merchandise use typography (particularly Hangul), color, and layout to build multi-layered, emotionally resonant worlds. A roundtable discussion with PRESS ROOM, MHTL, and SUUUB SERVICE offers rare insight into the behind-the-scenes process of K-POP visual production.
Chapter 2｜Designing in the Post-Truth Era — Independent Publishing and Collective Voices
This chapter explores the vibrant world of Korea’s indie publishing scene, where graphic designers are also curators, storytellers, and cultural commentators. From Seoul’s YOUR-MIND and Unlimited Edition to Gunsan’s local efforts through propaganda press and Gunsan Book Fair, the book illustrates how independent publishing intersects with art, fashion, and activism. Also included is an interview with Haru Katami of loneliness books, who reflects on collaboration with Korean designers and the solidarity found within queer publishing communities.
Chapter 3｜Design as Resistance — Challenges, Communities, and New Futures
The final chapter focuses on designers who are using their practice to question, critique, and reshape society. Groups like the Feminist Designer Social Club and 6699press advocate for inclusion and equity in design. Profiles of designers such as Park Eerang and Min Guhong Manufacturing show how design can act as both protest and proposal. The chapter also looks into design education at institutions like Seoul Metropolitan University and Kaywon University of Art & Design, and traces the history of the TW student collective from 2008 to the present—demonstrating how young designers grow into cultural changemakers.
Why this book matters
K-GRAPHIC IN-DEPTH is not just a visual survey—it’s a cultural document. It captures the pulse of Korean graphic design at a time when the boundaries between art, politics, identity, and community are increasingly blurred. This is a book for graphic designers, artists, educators, researchers, publishers, and anyone interested in the power of visual language as a form of social practice.
Through its vivid images, candid interviews, and thoughtful commentary, this book invites readers to see Korean graphic design not only as beautiful or trendsetting, but as a platform for dialogue, resistance, and transformation.
