
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.

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.
