Kim Min, a professor of the Brand Design Lab at Kookmin University and his students are awarded the Minister of Employment and Labor Prize on July 2 at the 2nd Ceremony of Social Enterprise held at COEX. It was the best award of the ‘2012 Social Enterprise Promotion Prize for Merit’ contest. Professor Kim has guided graduate and undergraduate students to support social enterprises through design since 2009. With this award, students and he get credit for talent donation,in that almost 80 students have participated in this project since the fall semester, 2009.
This project was started to assist in the promotion of small social enterprises in design, which is an essential part of creating a competitive edge. At first, it started with just the design of logosfor companies, but it has expanded including package design, uniforms, letters, interior simulation, and even the naming of acompany as a master design plan.

“Students design a logo for the value improvement of social enterprises, so I want them to contribute to the public welfare with their design abilities as a talent donation.” Professor Kim said in his acceptance speech. “This ‘sharing’ is an important element Kookmin University pursueswhich will also help Korea in the future.”
Furthermore, he expressed the reason why he continues this project:“Change is the thing that people have to practice by themselves. So I rejectjust sitting and pointing the finger of blame. If someone labeled the young generation as those who share their hearts with underprivileged people as the being the ‘left’, I would wishfor me and all Kookmin students to be consideredthe ‘Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood(前派)’ rather than leftist. Kookmin University was established to honor Korea’s ideals of saving the country. It means that birds can fly only when the both left and right wings work together, and a bicycle doesn’t fall when you push each pedal evenly.”
Kim Hyun-Seung, a student of TED who participated in this project said:“We put so much work into this project because we think that the designs we made influence business. We feel the value when we are given appreciation or receive a call about a sales increase from the companies we work with.”
Also, Kookmin President Yu Ji Soo said:“All of you set a good example in that the university as an educational institution contributes to the public welfare. Our university will spare no support for realizing the value in sharing and public welfare.”
In addition, Professor Kim worked on various other projects such as the Tumen River Design Exhibition inYanjiCity, China in 2010, which is about Tumen’senvironment and reunification wish, andthe Blood Drive Exhibition to encourage people to donate blood at the Chung-gyeRiver in 2012.


- Pro Bono
1. Shortened Latin phrase of ‘Pro bono publico’
2. Professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment as a public service to help underprivileged people

- Social Enterprise
1. To provide job opportunity or vocational training for underprivileged people
2. To provide social services to increase the quality of life
3. To suggest an alternative to an environmental issue
4. To provide and develop vocational training for teenagers