University of Seoul student wins world’s top 3 design awards

“Flock” is a product design project by Cho Seung-min, a senior in the department of design at the University of Seoul. Designed to improve the usability of traditional kimchi jars, the fermentation container features a sloped base that keeps the fermentation-control valve accessible even when the containers are stacked. The angled base also channels kimchi brine to one side, enabling clean, tool-free pouring. Courtesy of University of Seoul

An undergraduate student at the University of Seoul has won three of the world’s most prestigious design awards, demonstrating the school’s international competitiveness in design.

The university said Thursday that Cho Seung-min, a senior in the department of design, achieved the so-called “Design Grand Slam” by winning Germany’s iF Design Award 2026 and the Red Dot Design Award: Design Concept 2025, as well as the U.S.’ International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) 2025.

The three design awards are internationally renowned competitions entered by global companies such as Samsung Electronics and Apple. It is rare for an individual student project to sweep all three.

Cho’s signature design project, “Flock,” has drawn even greater attention in that his achievement was made through his individual work rather than by a large team or corporation.

Flock is a sloped fermentation container designed to improve the usability of traditional kimchi jars, while enhancing visibility, hygiene and comfort.

Cho Seung-min, a senior in the department of design at the University of Seoul / Courtesy of University of Seoul

According to the university, the project received high scores for addressing practical inconveniences associated with refrigerator storage, while drawing inspiration from kimchi, a staple of Korean cuisine and culture.

The school added that Cho’s design received acclaim for successfully bridging traditional Korean food culture with modern lifestyles. It also expects the project to contribute to the global expansion of kimchi and K-food.

The university further noted that international judges described the project as “a design that demonstrates the potential of the K-lifestyle.”

Beyond design itself, Cho has demonstrated strong potential as a next-generation designer with capabilities in product planning and marketing.

He has been highly praised for taking on the role of project manager by filing patents and developing business models to commercialize his own projects, going beyond the role of a conventional designer.

Emblems of the iF Design Award, left, the Red Dot Design Award, center, and the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) / Courtesy of University of Seoul

“I think that the process of focusing on ‘solutions that actually work,’ based on the strong fundamentals I learned at school, led to these meaningful results,” Cho said.

He added, “I hope my experience can offer a small sense of courage and possibility to younger students who are thinking about their future, showing that even an individual’s idea can be recognized on the global stage.”

He also expressed his gratitude to professor Kim Seong-gohn of the department of design for providing invaluable guidance and advice throughout the project.

The university said it will continue to provide support and encouragement so that more students with creative insight and strong execution skills can demonstrate their capabilities on the global stage.