Ahn Graphics

Baba 07: Cho Young-jae

바바 07: 조영제

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Cho Young-jae: a pioneer of Korean design reflecting on 55 years of his design journey

Cho Young-jae—people often describe him as intimidating. Perhaps it’s his commanding physique, deep voice, or his perfectionist nature that leaves no word unconsidered. His presence has been known to unsettle even the most confident individuals.

Cho is a first-generation designer who shaped the design industry in Korea. From nurturing talent at universities to pioneering the field of identity design, serving as the Olympic Design Committee Chair, establishing design associations, advising numerous corporations, and fostering international exchanges, there is no facet of the Korean design landscape untouched by his influence. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the foundation of Korean design today owes much to him.

His relentless efforts for better design and Korea’s future in design have been unparalleled. Cho has dedicated himself wholly to design, charging forward with unwavering focus. Along the way, he faced inevitable conflicts—persuasion, negotiation, frustration, endurance, and solitude. Yet, he overcame these challenges with sheer determination.

Cho declares that he wishes to remain a designer until the very end, rather than merely being remembered as an educator.

Even today, his works exude sophistication and professionalism, standing strong against contemporary standards. He was not a designer focused on self-expression or illustration-heavy graphics but a methodical, empirical practitioner who brought structured design to life. His innate design sensibility is perhaps best exemplified in the graphic work for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

If one were to encapsulate Cho Young-jae in a phrase, it would be “a designer who pursued rationalism in design.” He is, without a doubt, the individual who opened the first chapter of modern design in Korea.

편집자의 글

What is the BABA Project?

The BABA Project is an unprecedented series of design books that compile the works of leading Korean designers. Each compact 64-page volume succinctly encapsulates the designers’ creative worlds, presenting their artistry without unnecessary embellishments. The concept centers on showing the artist through their work, offering an unfiltered view of their creative philosophy.

Ahn Graphics, the publisher, has been dedicated to establishing the identity of Korean design through projects such as Korean Traditional Patterns, which systematized traditional Korean motifs, NANA Project, which explored the works and philosophies of contemporary young designers, and LALA Project, which examined the essence of Korean design identity.

The BABA Project continues this legacy, documenting the present and future of Korean design while exploring its evolving identity. The first volumes feature the works of Yoon Ho-seop, Seo Ki-heun, Ahn Sang-soo, Lee Sung-pyo, and Kim Hyun, with plans for ongoing publications to build a rich repository of Korean design heritage.

Cho Young-jae

A graphic designer and Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, he is the Honorary President of the Korean Federation of Design Organizations. Throughout his illustrious career, he has held numerous influential positions in the field of design: Jury Member for the Asia Digital Art and Design Awards (2001–2007), Honorary Doctorate in Design from Dongseo University (2001), International Jury Member for Hong Kong Design Show 98 (1998), Founding President of the Korea Society of Visual Information Design (1996), Dean of the Graduate School of Design at Dongseo University (1986–1989), Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Seoul National University (1984–1987), President of the Korean Society of Visual Design (1980–1983, 1972-1975). He also served as an international jury member for the Morisawa International Typeface Design Competition, making significant contributions to both Korean and global design communities.

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