How We Affect

The MEP Course Exhibition 2024, “No Futureblem,” presents nine innovative design solutions to overcome the difficulties of an uncertain future, inspired by the hidden potential within our hopes and anxieties about the future. As an exhibition where future endeavors and design innovation intersect, “No Futureblem” was a space for designers to share the inspiration required for a journey toward the future.

We’re selecting new members for the 32nd class, who will join us from 2024. We invite all aspiring designers keen to become future-leading professionals with Samsung Design Membership, and look forward to your keen interest and application.

• - Application Website: https://designmembership.incruit.com
• - Announcement of 1st Preliminary Assignment: 11/27 (Mon)
• - Submission of 1st Preliminary Assignment: 12/22 (Fri) – 12/23 (Sat)
• - 2nd Round Practical Exam: Separate notification for those who pass 1st round
• - 3rd Round Comprehensive Interview: Separate notification for those who pass 2nd round

The 2023 MEP course exhibition theme 'Super Social' was planned to deeply explore our presence in today’s rapidly changing world, presenting a new perspective on what it means to be ‘together.’ A total of nine teams contributed their works to the exhibition, and nine unique design solutions known as ‘Super Things’ were exhibited based on the teams’ individual definitions of what it means to be ‘together’ and on a set of ‘Super Rules’ emphasizing the notion of being ‘together.’

New members were selected for the 31^th Class, which begins their membership in 2023. It was the first onsite recruitment in three years since 2019, following a more relaxed social distancing policy. The process consisted of an initial resume screening, a practical exam, and a final interview. The selection process took three months, starting in August. We sincerely express our deepest gratitude for all applicants who showed incredible passion for design.

The ‘Groovy-Grove’ exhibition wraps up the 2022 MEP Course with a creative narrative that redefines 11 cultural phenomena that connects the lifestyles of present and future into ‘keystone species’ that take the leap toward a new eco-system. The 2022 MEP Course brought diverse perspectives of young designers to explore the ideal direction of our ever-inventive societies and culture. This MEP exhibition was the first offline exhibition in three years since 2019, and was held at 2nd floor of the Samsung Electronics Seoul R&D Campus.

Due to the social distancing policy, Samsung Design Membership’s vision, mission, and main programs were introduced through online promotional videos instead of offline public presentations. Active members made an appearance to share details of their ongoing design process. Through these online presentations that can be viewed anywhere and anytime, Samsung Design Membership took the opportunity to answer various questions.

The Samsung Design Membership MEP course is a summer program that focuses on design leadership pursuing social values, develops convergence thinking, and builds collaboration capabilities based on each member’s design identity. The 2021 MEP course ‘Vivify (Object)’ exhibition centers on the ‘designer’s role’ which engages self-made questions and problem solving, rather than the ‘design method’ which provides the problems. The valuable lifestyle favored by Generation Z was visualized through this exhibition, ranging from solutions for inconvenient problems to services that enhance pleasures of life.

We have selected our 30th member who will be active from 2022. In accordance with the social distancing policy, online assignments, video presentations, etc., were conducted under the non-contact system. Beginning with the first round of document screening to the second round of a two-day practical screening, ending with the final interview, the process was directed tirelessly from August to November. We would like to express our deep gratitude for all the applicants who were passionate with merely a single category that is design.

We held an open seminar with Samsung Design Membership graduates from all over the world gather to share stories on design experiences, philosophies, and values. Some of the main participants included Jihong Kim, Design Spectrum CEO (17th Class), Yoonsu Kim, UX Designer at Samsung Electronics Design Center (16th Class), and Haeok Shin, CEO of Shin-Shin Graphics Design Studio (16th Class). The new design culture pursued by Samsung Design Membership was disseminated, and various social roles and responsibilities of designers were presented. Check for open seminar updates or news on the Samsung Design Membership Instagram channel. @samsungdesignmembership

The MCP Course exhibition, for which all members of Samsung Design Membership were entirely devoted in the summer of 2020, was held as Samsung Design Membership’s first ever online exhibition in accordance to social distancing policies. Under the theme of ‘NEW NORMAL,’ the exhibition was prepared by the members with the assistance of various advisory groups, such as design, humanities, and marketing, to contemplate on the ‘ways of yesterday and the new days of tomorrow’ in different perspectives. As the first global online exhibition held by Samsung Design Membership, the MCP Course Exhibition successfully wrapped up its course and became the talk of the town in both domestic and international media. It was truly a valuable learning experience for all members.

We have selected our 29th member who will join us in studying design starting 2021. In accordance with the social distancing policy, online assignments, video presentations, etc., were conducted under the non-contact system. Beginning with the first round of document screening to the second round of a two-day practical screening, ending with the final interview, the process was directed tirelessly for nearly a month. We would like to express our deep gratitude for all the applicants who were passionate with merely a single category that is design.

Due to social distancing regulations, Samsung Design Membership’s vision, mission, and main programs were introduced through online promotional videos instead of offline public presentations, and active members made an appearance to share details of their ongoing design process. Through these online presentations that can be viewed anywhere and anytime, Samsung Design Membership took the opportunity to answer various questions from prospective members.

We recruited the 28th class of new members who would be studying design with us starting from 2020. Beginning with the first step of examining candidate histories and personal statements, a 3-day long practical skill test was conducted, which then lead to the final interview. It was a busy, month-long process. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all applicants who gathered and showed incredible passion for the field of design.

This year’s public briefing session introduced Samsung Design Membership and provided an opportunity for aspiring designers to hear various stories about the hands-on work of the design industry. It was an impressive sight to see so many people attend the sessions and pay close attention to the topics for a prolonged period of time.

The MCP Course Exhibition, which is the ultimate culmination of the sweat and tears of all members of Samsung Design Membership in the summer of 2019, was held from August 20th to August 22nd at the Samsung Electronics Seoul R&D Campus. Members prepared this exhibition based on the theme of ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ exploring new perspectives toward elements that ‘we take for granted,’ with the help of a diverse panel of experts in the fields of design, humanities, marketing, and more. This exhibition was held successfully, attracting many visits from Samsung Electronics employees and the general public. It was a valuable learning experience for all members.

For members who completed the Intensive Course, an additional critique session with renown experts was held as an opportunity to further enhance members’ projects. Byungyong Song from Duotone, Charry Jeon from CFC, Jiyoun Kim from Jiyoun Kim Studio were invited to critique member projects. This session helped members discover their strengths and areas needed for improvement through the perspectives of experts in the field.

The 27th Class of new members who will be part of the Samsung Design Membership in 2019 were freshly recruited. More than 100 passionate, aspiring designers joined the public presentation in October to learn about and discuss the program. We’d like to sincerely thank all applicants who joined the recruitment process from the October public presentation to the three rounds of selection that consisted of documentation screening, practical skill examination, and final interview.

The MCP Course that ran from August 21st to August 23rd during summer of 2018 held its Design Exhibition at the Samsung Seoul R&D Campus. This year’s exhibition was conceived under the theme ‘The Discovery for Coexistence,’ showcasing artworks that expanded their perspectives through team projects that consulted diverse fields from not only design but humanities and marketing as well. The exhibition was a great success, attracting Samsung employees and visitors from all sorts of fields and expertise.

The global workshop that transcends boundaries to understand the world and provides novel design experiences was held with the world-renown furniture company Vitra. With Vitra, members had the opportunity to suggest new ideas for Space and Work that can be applied to a society 10 years in the future. At this tightly packed one-day Hackathon, members let their imaginations run wild to envision and materialize new concepts for future societies.