SEOUL DESIGN AWARD

Anako is a social design organization that realizes dignity, sustainability, and resilience through design. It has developed survival tools for refugees, migrants, isolated women, and vulnerable children. These include emergency cradles, life jackets for women carrying babies, safe plasma transport devices, and visual-based medical tools—all created in direct response to urgent needs in the field. Anako’s work is carried out in collaboration with students, NGOs, and local communities, using discarded materials and applying circular economy principles. Social cooperatives and artisans also take part in production, creating solutions that are simple yet scalable.

Every year, Anako collaborates with more than 500 students across eight universities worldwide to conduct research and co-design. To date, it has produced and distributed over 1,000 emergency cradles and 500 maternity kits in crisis regions. Based on recycled materials and local manufacturing, these efforts reduce environmental impact while strengthening social inclusion.

Anako’s approach goes beyond temporary relief. Each object is delivered with a story, becoming a symbol of care and solidarity. Looking ahead, Anako aims to build a global network of decentralized design labs to expand knowledge sharing and community care. These initiatives demonstrate that design is not merely a technique for shaping form, but a practical tool capable of transforming the future of humanitarian aid.