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The international design symposium “STELLAR Design Summit Busan 2026” (hereafter SDSB 2026), co-hosted by Dongseo University College of Design and the RISE Project Group, was held on March 25, 2026, at Dongseo University’s Jurye Campus. Under the theme “Design Futures: Busan and Asia,” the summit explored transformations in society, industry, and education through design, as well as the future of design in Busan and across Asia.

The summit began with an opening speech by Dean Ju-young Chang of the College of Design. Dean Chang highlighted the launch of the STELLAR College of Arts and the innovative direction of design education at Dongseo University, expressing expectations for Busan’s advancement in design following its selection as the World Design Capital (WDC) 2028.

President Jekuk Chang delivered a welcome message, presenting a vision to elevate Dongseo University into Asia’s number one design education institution. He emphasized expanding exchanges with world-class designers, launching the STELLAR College of Arts, and innovating education based on the Minerva model. He also noted that these changes are opening up a significant era of opportunity for students.

Professor Ken Nah, Master Designer of Busan Metropolitan City and Distinguished Professor at Dongseo University, offered congratulatory remarks, stating that Busan stands at a turning point toward becoming a global design city and that Dongseo University’s STELLAR design education will become a key regional competitive advantage.

The keynote session, a highlight of SDSB 2026, featured three global design leaders: Dr. Thomas Garvey, former President of the World Design Organization (WDO); Lou Yongqi, President of Shanghai University of Engineering Science and a renowned innovator in design education; and Wang Tan, Co-founder of XPeng AeroHT and Chief Designer at XPeng Motors, who is leading the flying car industry. Each speaker shared insights on the evolving global design landscape and the competencies required for future designers.

SDSB 2026 was organized as a platform for discourse to explore the future direction of design, based on the Asia Design College Consortium (ADCC), bringing together the wisdom and insights of global design leaders.

In his closing remarks, Professor Taewan Kim evaluated that SDSB has been successfully established as an annual event and outlined plans to expand various educational programs and exchange opportunities centered on ADCC.