craftsman

A brand that creates everyday necessities such as book covers, bags, pouches, bookmarks, and tool cases, starting from daily needs and uses. The form of the products is determined by personally making and using samples, adding and removing necessary functions. The 'Gong' in the brand name signifies 'emptiness' (空), embodying the meaning of 'filling empty spaces with necessary items.' Currently based in Paju Publishing City, the brand continues its work while building relationships with local publishers and creators.

The name originated from the idea of filling empty spaces with necessary items . At the same time, I liked that the word 'craftsman' naturally brings to mind someone who makes things.

Q. The craftspeople have been making everyday items since 2017. When you first started the brand, what did you two envision as a 'well-used item'?

I didn't start with a fixed definition of 'usefulness,' but I think my standards for making objects were similar to what they are now. While aesthetics are important, I wanted to create items that were actually used frequently and could be kept for a long time. I believe I defined a 'well-used item' as something that is used naturally without special explanation and that one keeps reaching for once they start using it.

Q. You said that the 'Gong' in 'Gongyega' means 'empty' (空).

The name originated from the idea of filling empty spaces with necessary items. At the same time, I liked that the word 'craftsman' naturally brings to mind someone who makes things. I wanted to apply the utility inherent in a craftsman to design products. Rather than completely separating design and production, we often determine the form by directly handling fabrics and experimenting. I thought the name suited this creative process well.

Q. Craftsmen create and test samples firsthand to find the "form suitable for the purpose," adding or removing necessary elements as they go. Features initially thought necessary might actually turn out to be unnecessary. How do you decide what to keep and what to remove?

Ultimately, I consider most importantly whether it is necessary for actual use. Even when adding a single pocket, I constantly check whether it will be used frequently or if it might actually complicate usage. The process of creating and testing samples is also crucial. Elements I initially thought were necessary can sometimes be omitted upon actual use, while unexpected inconveniences are discovered. Through this testing process, I refine the form by adding and removing items one by one.

"If an item is being used well, I don't think it necessarily needs to be changed into a new form."

Q. Your flagship product, the 'Sseim Book Cover,' incorporates features essential for the actual reading process, ranging from flaps that adjust to book thickness to water-repellent canvas fabric, a pen holder, and a bookmark ribbon. When you first started creating book covers, what was the first inconvenience you wanted to solve?

The biggest drawback was that existing book covers could only be used on books of a fixed size, even though books vary in thickness. I thought it would be great if a single book cover could be used for multiple books. Therefore, I created adjustable flaps that fit the book's thickness, and used water-repellent canvas fabric to improve the tactile feel when carrying the book and to reduce the cover from getting dirty or wet easily. It was important to create a design that protects the book while remaining comfortable to read. I also added a pen holder to store a single pen for underlining or taking notes while reading. However, since this feature isn't necessary for everyone, I designed it as a buttonhole so it remains discreet when not in use. I attached a bookmark ribbon to the cover so there is no need to carry a separate bookmark, and applied a band to ensure stable use on books of various thicknesses.

Q. Is there a reason why you continuously release a single product with changes to the color and details?

I don't believe it is necessary to change the appearance of an item if it is being used well. As we manufacture and sell products for a long time, we listen to feedback from users, and as we continue to use them ourselves, we also discover areas for improvement little by little. We tend to maintain the basic structure while expanding options to suit book sizes or usage environments. I believe that maintaining and refining existing products over the long term is just as important as continuously creating new ones.

Q. What role does color play in a craftsman's products, and what do you consider when choosing a new color?

Since the form is simple, color tends to determine the product's impression significantly. For instance, even the same book cover can feel completely different depending on the color, allowing us to create new options without changing the design. When selecting a color, while we do use shades that catch the eye instantly, our primary focus is on whether the product remains appealing over time. It is also important to see if it blends naturally with existing colors. We also examine the actual appearance of the color and the texture of the material.

Q. Is 'usefulness' an important criterion in collaboration as well?

In collaborations, the first thing I look for is whether the item is actually durable enough for long-term use. I want the work to naturally blend within the product's form and function, rather than simply transferring images or graphics onto it. Craftsmen first define the object's structure and function, and then work together to determine the best way for the other creator's work to shine through. Rather than forcing a mix of characteristics, I aim for collaborations where each person's role and strengths naturally emerge. Therefore, I tend to trust and respect each other's roles in collaborations. I believe that as long as the direction of progress does not deviate significantly and implementation is feasible, trusting and entrusting the work to a collaboration partner leads to better results.

While reflecting and showcasing the unique characteristics of the region is one approach, I believe that consistently working there and building relationships with the surroundings is also what defines a local brand.

Q. What do you think is the most strongly reflected regional characteristic in the brand?

Paju Publishing City, where our studio is currently located, is a place where many people involved in books and publishing gather. Since we have been making book-related products, including book covers, for a long time, there is a natural connection between us. After moving our studio to Paju, we have been able to meet local publishers and creators up close, and we have had more opportunities to work together. Rather than directly incorporating the image of a specific region into our products, I believe that the relationships we form and work with here are gradually influencing our brand.

Q. What kind of brand does a craftsperson consider a 'good local brand'?

While reflecting and showcasing the unique characteristics of the region is one approach, I believe that consistently working there and building relationships with the community is also what defines a local brand. I think it is beneficial for the details of where we create our products and who we work with to naturally accumulate in our products and activities. We, too, want to continue working in Paju and gradually expand the opportunities to collaborate with the people around us.

Q. In this edition of <Edit DEPT: Neo Local>, we introduce various products that the craftsperson has consistently created, including the 'Sseim Book Cover,' all in one place. Through this collection, what did you most want to show to those encountering the craftsperson for the first time?

We curated the collection centering on products that demonstrate the standards by which craftspeople create their items. In particular, since the 'Sseim Book Cover' has been produced continuously since the brand's inception, we felt it best exemplifies the concept of 'usefulness' that we have valued so highly. By introducing products designed to be used with books alongside the 'Artist's Tools' series, we also wanted to show how a craftsperson's objects can be utilized in one's daily life and work.

Q. What has changed and what remains the same in the Sseim book covers you have been making for a long time?

We have varied the sizes to fit different book formats and gradually expanded our range of colors and materials. We have consistently addressed any inconveniences discovered during use and reinforced the hardware to enhance durability. On the other hand, we have maintained the basic structure that adjusts to book thickness, ensuring the cover can be used for multiple books for a long time. Our initial vision of creating a single book cover that lasts for years remains unchanged. Furthermore, we sell the covers at a price not significantly different from the cost of the books, so that they can be used without any burden alongside your books.

"Rather than creating many new things, I think it will be important for us going forward to steadily produce items that we believe are truly necessary, one by one, over the long term."

Q. Craftsmen's products often have many functions and structures that are discovered through direct use rather than just by looking at them for the first time. Is there anything you hope people will discover anew by touching and using the products at this pop-up?

Small features and structures that are not easily noticeable can actually be quite convenient in real life. For instance, the pencil pocket on the book bag serves as a closure, or the small pocket inside the tool case is used to organize items. We hope you discover for yourself why we designed it with this specific size and structure as you use it. Alternatively, you may also enjoy using it differently from the methods we have prescribed. Some people pack multiple books into a single book cover, while others place completely different items in the tool case. The connecting boxes can also be combined differently depending on the space and your needs. It is also enjoyable to watch you find the usage methods that suit you best within the forms we created.

Q. Is there anything new you would like to cover in the future?

We don't have a specific product in mind. Just as we are doing now, we want to address the questions we discover in our daily lives, one by one, through our products. There are items we feel are absolutely necessary, and sometimes adding small details to familiar objects creates new ways to use them. Rather than deciding what to make first, we intend to continuously observe the moments when we feel a need while living. I believe that continuing to create items we consider truly necessary, one by one over the long term, will be more important to us going forward than making a lot of new things.

Maker's Pick

Sseim book cover

This is Gongyega’s flagship product, featuring adjustable flaps to accommodate books of varying thicknesses. Utilizing water-repellent canvas fabric, it incorporates features essential for actual reading, such as a pen holder, bookmark ribbon, and band. Since its initial launch in 2017, the brand has expanded its options with various formats, colors, and materials, while continuously addressing inconveniences identified during use. The fundamental structure, designed to allow a single book cover to be used for multiple books for an extended period, has been maintained from the beginning. As the fabric softens with prolonged use and bears the user's traces, this product embodies what Gongyega calls a "well-used item."

COMING SOON!

In the upcoming September, the craftsman Meet us in person at the pop-up!

September 17-30, 2026, The Hyundai Seoul B1 Event Hall

fin.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗲 GONGYEGA

Saeeum Kim

Edeit Seulgi Lee