Design System
01
Obangsaek - Five Direction Colors
Obangsaek represents the five cardinal directions and elements of Korean cosmology. Warm earth tones and hanji paper colors complete the natural palette.
"In Korean aesthetics, colors are not mere decoration but carry the harmony of heaven and earth, connecting the five directions with the five elements."
Traditional Korean Philosophy
02
Typography
Noto Serif KR honors the elegance of Hangul with clean, harmonious letterforms that flow naturally like brush strokes on hanji paper.
03
Yeobaek - Embracing Empty Space
Yeobaek is the Korean philosophy of embracing empty space. Unlike Western fear of emptiness, yeobaek celebrates the breathing room that brings harmony and peace.
Space is not absence but presence - it gives room for connection and contemplation
04
Buttons
Buttons invite interaction with warmth. Like the welcoming entrance of a hanok, they guide visitors with subtle color and gentle transitions.
Rest State
Hover State
05
Form Elements
Form elements are crafted with the texture of hanji paper, providing a natural, comfortable surface for user input.
06
Cards with Changsalmun Patterns
Cards echo the structure of hanok spaces - enclosed yet connected, with the distinctive lattice window patterns (changsalmun) that filter light beautifully.
The dalhanari embodies humble beauty - imperfect, asymmetrical, and profoundly serene in its simplicity.
Symbols of longevity and fidelity, the pine tree and crane appear throughout Korean art and architecture.
The heated floor system brings family together, radiating gentle warmth that nurtures connection and rest.
Traditional Korean lattice windows filter light while creating geometric beauty. Each pattern has a name and meaning.
Deep emotional bond and affection that grows through shared experiences and time together.
The subtle art of reading the room, sensing unspoken feelings and social dynamics.
Spontaneous joy and excitement, the irrepressible energy that emerges in celebration.
07
Data Table
Information organized with clarity and warmth. Rows alternate like the wooden beams of a hanok ceiling, structured yet inviting.
| Element | Korean | Meaning | Status | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mugunghwa | Rose of Sharon | Immortality and resilience | Blooming | Summer |
| Chuseok | Harvest Festival | Gratitude and family reunion | Celebrated | Autumn |
| Seollal | Lunar New Year | New beginnings and respect | Honored | Winter |
| Boseong | Green Tea Fields | Tranquility and health | Growing | Spring |
| Hanbok | Traditional Dress | Elegance and cultural pride | Timeless | All |
08
Badges
Small markers of distinction, like the colorful norigae ornaments that adorn traditional dress with meaning and beauty.
Status
Categories
Seasons
09
Design Principles
Korean aesthetic philosophy balances warmth with restraint, connection with space, tradition with natural flow.
Emotional Connection
Design should foster warmth and emotional bonds. Unlike cold minimalism, Korean aesthetics embrace the human need for connection and belonging.
Embracing Empty Space
Empty space is not void but possibility. It provides breathing room for elements to exist in harmony, creating peace rather than anxiety.
Natural Harmony
Design flows with nature rather than against it. Like a hanok built into its landscape, interfaces should feel organic and unforced.
Humble Elegance
True beauty does not boast. Like the moon jar, elegance comes from restraint, from knowing when enough is enough.
Balanced Color
The five direction colors create harmony through contrast. Use color meaningfully, with each hue carrying intention and balance.
Underlying Warmth
Like the heated floor that warms without being seen, good design provides comfort through invisible, thoughtful details.
Cultivated Taste
Appreciation of beauty requires cultivation. Design educates through example, gradually revealing deeper layers of meaning to those who take time to look.
"The beauty of Korean aesthetics lies not in perfection but in the warmth of human touch, the embrace of nature, and the space left for the heart to breathe."
Korean Design Philosophy