Jinsop Lee

Jinsop Lee, a former professor of design, is the founder and CEO of a product development company renowned for its beautifully designed, long-lasting products. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, he established the innovative firm Uncle Oswald Is My Hero, known for producing unique iPod speakers from old telephone handsets. Lee's approach to design was shaped early on when, as a child, he was compelled to create his own toys—such as a multi-colored Lego X-wing fighter—learning the valuable lesson that creativity does not require strict adherence to instructions.

Lee's professional journey began as a design consultant, where he developed products and strategies for large companies. His commitment to service was further exemplified during a mandatory two-year stint in the Korean Army, followed by a transition to teaching English. This phase ultimately led him back to academia as an associate professor of industrial design, focusing on shaping students and future designers. His concept of multi-sensory design, which advocates for engaging all five senses, has been influential in the field.

Currently, Lee is dedicated to creating educational content that demystifies industrial design principles. He produces a series of short videos that blend information with humor, aiming to educate while entertaining viewers. His TED talk on multi-sensory design has attracted over 1.6 million views, and he has also appeared on multiple television segments for the Discovery Channel and in campaigns for Jaguar Land Rover. Lee's work has earned him several prestigious awards, including the Red Dot Design Award and the Good Design Award. Now based in Seoul, South Korea, after having lived in six different countries, Lee continues to impact the global design landscape with his innovative and sensory-rich design philosophy.