Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Graduates: 2025
Specialisms: Industrial Design / Furniture / Product Design
My location: Seoul, South Korea
First Name: Yunhye
Last Name: Kim
University / College: Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Course / Program: Industrial Design BDes
Graduates: 2025
Specialisms: Industrial Design / Furniture / Product Design
My Location: Seoul, South Korea
Website: Click To See Website
다온 DAON — a name that carries the hope of all good things to come. Rooted in this sentiment, DAON offers a contemporary reinterpretation of najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl lacquerware) on the traditional Korean four-way table, combining repurposed plastic with delicate mother-of-pearl motifs and traditional wood joinery. The motifs are inspired by Hwajeopdo, a traditional Korean painting of flowers and butterflies. Peonies symbolize wealth and honor, while butterflies represent love and prosperity — together, they carry wishes for a life filled with joy and abundance for loved ones. The plastic motifs were created by melting recycled polypropylene into sheets, which were then precisely cut using a waterjet machine. By combining modern fabrication with traditional techniques, DAON establishes a dialogue between craftsmanship and innovation. By transforming discarded materials into a piece that embodies wishes for good fortune, DAON not only honors cultural heritage but also reimagines sustainability through craft and cultural memory. Internal lighting is integrated into the cabinet to highlight the plastic’s translucence, allowing the motifs to subtly glow in low-light settings. Reflecting the understated and refined beauty of traditional Joseon-era minimalism, the cabinet features a push-to-open mechanism, eliminating handles for a clean and minimalist appearance. For more information: https://2025.theshow-ecuad.org/project/daon/