Check out the latest designs at a notable design fair kicking off Wednesday at COEX Hall B in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.

Celebrating its 10th year, Seoul Design Festival 2011 is gearing up for a big five-day run packed with a variety of special exhibitions under the slogan “Designer Promotion.” Nine famed design figures from different design sectors and countries will hold lectures during the festival as well, including Spanish graphic designer Javier Mariscal who is known for the design of Cobi, the mascot of the Barcelona Olympics. 

The event is hosted by Design House, the South Korean publisher of many design-related magazines including “DESIGN,” “Home Living & Style,” “Luxury,” “Style H,” “My Wedding” and “Mom&Enfant.”

Divided into seven sections, more than 60 design firms and 200 designers will be displaying their works. The “Trend Now” section will showcase collaboration works between designers and familiar brands like Naver, Kia Motors and Shinhan Card and the “Design Solution” section will be composed of a wide range of whimsical products by professional designers.

Divisions “Up-coming Designers” and “Rookies” each introduce works by young designers and university students who are majoring in design, respectively. The students were selected by the magazine “DESIGN.”

“Designers Lab” is an anticipated section as it will be a special exhibition held to celebrate Design House’s 35th anniversary. Book-themed art and design objects by 35 designers including Ahn Yun-mo, Yang Jae-hyung and Hwang Seon-tae will be on display. 

The festival also puts in effort to embrace global trends. Along with Mariscal, Spanish design groups Bravos, BADABUM and Vasava Studio will bring the latest designs from Spain at the “Global Designer” section. The “Creative Korea” section will compare the tea house culture of Korea, China and Japan.

Seoul Design Festival 2011 will run from Dec. 14-18 at COEX Hall B in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. Admission to the exhibitions is 7,000 won. Admission to a lecture is 44,000 won if registered online in advance, and 55,000 won at the site. For more information, visit www.designfestival.co.kr.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)