grape lab, is a sustainable design lab which does various experiments to solve environmental and social issues from a design point of view. We focus on wasted resources and vulnerable people in marginal areas of our society.
Combining recycled and wood-free papers with unique folding techniques we create unique stationery products with sustainable lifecycles
Zero Waste
We transform wasted resources into design pieces. The scraps of our production process become cards, tags, bands and shopping bags, creating a culture of zero-waste, which is part of our goals.
Sustainable Culture
We turn upcycling into part of our culture by practicing greener habits with our community on workshops and exhibits–changing their habits and mindset to protect and prepare future generations.
Job Opportunities
We offer work opportunities to vulnerable minorities in our society–creating a collaborative platform for people with disabilities to show their talents, gain space and become financially independent.
design consulting
Products and services development
At grape lab, we offer sustainable design solutions for brands. We specialize in products made using eco-friendly materials and origami-like folding structures. Our studio’s showroom in Seoul has a library of eco-friendly materials and a gallery of sustainable products for public consultation. Come visit our office!
Let's create a culture of sustainability in our community
During our workshop sessions, the participants take one step further on understanding the environmental problems our world is facing and experience the process of creating solutions for these issues. During the workshops, seeing different styles and points of view help everyone connect and creates synergy among participants.
Participant At ‘Whale, Tree, And Earth’, United Nations Environment Programme & Usisan Joint Exhibition
Dec 2019
Started Exportation To Seattle And San Jose – USA
Nov 2019
Launched Kickstarter Crowdfunding – Backed By More Than 44 Countries
Nov 2019
Awarded ‘Environmental Contribution Award’ By Korea Environmental Contribution Movement Headquarter
Oct 2019
Exhibitor At Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt – Germany
Oct 2019
Received Angel Investment, Jae-Beom Lee, Former Kakao Corp. CEO, Management Advisor – USA
Sep 2019
Selected Among ‘7 Best’ At Gwangju Design Biennale By Korea Crafts & Design Foundation
Sep 2019
Exhibition ‘Great Grape’, At Gwangju Design Biennale
Sep 2019
Grape Lab Inc. Founded In California – USA
Aug 2019
Selected As ‘Star Social Enterprise’, SK Innovation
Aug 2019
Support For ‘Product Competitiveness’, SK HappyNarae
Aug 2019
Support For ‘Technology Commercialization’, Seoul Business Agency
Jul 2019
Exhibitor At KOTRA’s ‘Eco-Friendly Life’ Event
Jun 2019
Exhibitor At The Seoul International Book Fair
May 2019
Workshop ‘Connected Roads’ At Seoul City Government’s Sewoon Plaza Project Cycling Exhibition
May 2019
Exhibitor At SK ‘Social Value Connect 2019’, Seoul
May 2019
Grape Lab’s Solo Exhibition ‘Slow Paper’, Doosung’s In The PAPER Gallery, Seoul
May 2019
Support For ‘Establishment Of Standard Workplaces For People With Disabilities’, Korea Employment Agency For Persons With Disabilities
May 2019
Grant Winner Of ‘Hana Power On Impact Support’, Hana Financial Group
Apr 2019
Grant Winner Of 2019 ‘H-On Dream Social Enterprise Start-Up Audition’, Hyundai Motor Group & Chung Mong-Koo Foundation
Apr 2019
Awarded ‘Excellence Award For Business Administration’, Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency
Feb 2019
Exhibitor At The NY National Stationery Show, New York – USA
Dec 2018
Named As A ‘Social Enterprise Startup’, By The Korean Ministry Of Employment And Labor
Aug 2018
Participation At Seoul City Government’s ‘Resewoon Project’
Mar 2018
Selected Startup For The Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency Training
Mar 2018
Grape Lab Founded
About the Founder
Alice Kim
CEO & Art Director
Alice Kim was a UX designer with 10+ years of experience in the IT area and one of the initial members of Kakao, a popular mobile service in Korea. Her creation, Kakao’s emoticon service, generated high profit, over 3B dollars, for the company and for local cartoonists.
After concluding her Masters in Sustainable Design at Kingston University in the UK, she changed her path, deciding to solve world’s problems from a designer point of view. She is keen to build a sustainable circular economic system, focusing on wasted materials, upcycling, marginalized artists and minorities.