Design as Ideology: An Analysis of the Opposition of Global and Local in South Korean Design

Abstract

In this paper, we look at the opposition of global and local as a site of conflict and examine design's role within the conflict. We do this by analysing the opposition in the context of South Korean design, and look at how representations of the global and local lead to syntheses of opposing positions that we describe as ideological. Our analysis proceeds by schematizing the opposition as a 'semiotic square', allowing us to demonstrate how the opposition between the two terms 'global' and 'local' can be expanded to a number of strategic positions. We draw upon theoretical works from the fields of cultural and political studies, and argue also for the need for greater integration between these areas of study and design studies.