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Ken Kangmin Kim

Design executive with 25+ years of experience leading product, UX, and innovation at global scale across consumer electronics and emerging technology categories.

I partner with executive leadership to translate business strategy into differentiated, user-centered products and platforms—from concept to mass production.

I have led and scaled design organizations within complex, global enterprises and startups, building high-performing teams and design systems that drive growth, new categories, and long-term brand value.

My work sits at the intersection of strategy, design, and execution. I align product vision, customer insight, and organizational capability to enable confident decision-making, faster delivery, and consistent design quality across portfolios.

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Industrial design  |   CMF design  |   Design strategy  |  UX/UI design  |  Creative Direction

Experience

2024 ~

Sr. Director, TP-LINK (Irvine, USA)

Founder & Design director, Arise Design (Seoul Korea) 

2020 - 2024

Global Head of Design, British American Tobacco (London, UK)

2005 - 2020

Sr. Director, LG Electronics (Seoul Korea)

Head of Design, LG Design Europe (London, UK)

Director of UX, LG Electronics (Seoul Korea)

Recognitions

2025

Reddot Design  - Glo Hilo,  Vuse 

IF Design Award - Glo, Vuse

Good Design

2023

IF Design Award - Glo

Reddot Award - Glo

Good Design

2022

IF Design Award - Glo

Spark Design Award - Vuse

2020

CES Innovation Award, LG OLED

2000 - 2003

Design Lead, SK (Seoul Korea)

2005 - 2019

CES Innovation Award 2019, LG Autonomous Cabin 

CES Innovation Award 2014, LG SmarthinQ

IF Design award 2014, LG Aircondition

Reddot Best of Best Design 2013, LG Smartphone

Designpreis Deuschland 2012, LG Smartphone

Education

Design Leadership 2013 - Royal College of Art (RCA)

Master, Business Strategy 2005 - Korea Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

Bachelor, Design 2000 - University of Kansas (KU)

Publication and Lecture

International Design speaker, Design Korea 2023

Customer Experience Design innvoation strategy, 2017

Contextual mapping & Participatory design, 1st place dissertation in contextual consumer research, 2007

"Ken’s work in the field of design and user experience is nothing short of revolutionary. With over two decades of dedication, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, transforming abstract ideas into tangible solutions that not only meet but exceed user expectations." 

EVP, Global Head of Innovation, LG

Design Philosopy

Human centered thinking to elevate everyday moments of pleasure.

+ Questions, discover and make Balancing beauty with utility in design for better lives. 

+ Embrace insight and innovation to craft Simple, Subtle and Smart product experience.

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