The internationally renowned art publisher Phaidon has recently released the English-language publication “Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design,” a book that explores the aesthetics of Korean craft and design.
 
“Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design” is the first comprehensive volume to examine the full spectrum of Korean design—from traditional craft to contemporary practice—offering a visually rich account of its creativity, sustainability, and functional beauty.

The book’s central concept, jeong (정, 情), extends beyond simple affection or emotional bonds to denote a distinctly Korean cultural sensibility formed through the accumulation of time and the sharing of experience. This notion expands into a profound interconnectedness between maker, object, and user, revealing the underlying spirit embedded in craft and design.
 
The volume presents 175 key works, ranging from anonymous craft objects of the Goryeo Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty to representative examples of contemporary Korean design. Featuring a wide array of objects—including moon jars, mother-of-pearl and lacquerware, textiles and embroidery, and modern furniture design—the book offers a richly immersive experience of the textures and aesthetic sensibilities that define Korean design.

In addition, the book itself is conceived as a crafted object, produced using traditional Korean binding techniques and textured craft paper, making its physical form another defining feature.
 
It also includes in-depth essays by leading figures such as designer Teo Yang, Beth McKillop—former Deputy Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum and a specialist in East Asian art—and J Kathryn Hong of the Arumjigi Culture Keepers Foundation. Through these contributions, the book presents a layered account of how tradition and modernity intersect within Korean design.

Hyo Jung Lee, the author of “Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design,” is a Korean graphic designer who grew up in the Netherlands and is currently based in London. In 2020, she launched the Korean Craft and Design platform.
 
Through this initiative, she paired six Korean artisans and artists with six international artists and designers, facilitating dialogues on traditional craft and design techniques. These exchanges were documented, and she also developed an index that offers an overview of key fields and methods within Korean traditional craft.
 
This project led Lee to recognize the need for an English-language publication addressing the history of Korean craft and design, ultimately resulting in the publication of “Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design.”
 
Exploring the history, aesthetics, and future possibilities of Korean craft and design, the book is currently available through Phaidon and major online bookstores both in Korea and internationally.

References

• Korean Craft and Design, [News] 정 – Jeong Book with Phaidon
• 주영한국문화원 보도자료 (Korean Cultural Centre UK Press Release)
• Phaidon, Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design
• 디자인플러스, 한국 공예 디자인 175점을 망라한 비주얼 북, “정”