In January 2017, Design Factory Korea and the Yonsei Center for Social Innovation co-hosted the Social Innovation Challenge Workshop — a 4-day intensive program that challenged students to identify real social problems and design tangible solutions.
Over the course of the workshop, student teams selected a social issue of their own choosing, brainstormed possible approaches, and designed and built a prototype of their proposed solution. The program was structured around special lectures, hands-on working sessions, and a final Pitch Day where teams presented their work to an audience of peers and faculty.
The winning team tackled the issue of Guryeong, a shanty town located in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul. Their proposal — a sustainable system model designed to provide long-term support to the community's residents — stood out for its depth of research and creativity. As the winners of the workshop, the team was invited to present their work at the International Design Factory Week, where they had the opportunity to collaborate with Design Factory representatives from around the world and refine their approach to the social problem they had tackled.
For many participants, the workshop proved to be far more than just a four-day program. It was a turning point — a first step into the world of social innovation, and a reminder that design thinking can be a powerful tool for meaningful change.
DFK would like to thank all participants, the Yonsei Center for Social Innovation, and the Underwood International College for making the Social Innovation Challenge Workshop such an impactful experience. We look forward to seeing the ideas sparked here continue to grow.
