jogakbo by design meem
Traditional Korean Patchwork
Jogakbo is one of many types of Pojagi. Pojagi has been made and used for domestic use since ancient times. It was made by piecing together leftover fabric when resources were scarce. It was a way to recycle, and extend the material use. Over time, Pojagi grew into more than function; it formed a culture between homemakers. Women used the craft as a creative outlet and developed the patching technique to be seamless, beautiful, and when properly executed, completely double sided.
Jogakbo was the result of this development, with refined techniques, sophisticated pattern layout, and consideration of color and texture. Jogakbo not only represents the deep textile culture of Korea, it also embodies the survival of creativity kept alive by the passion of homemakers since the 1300’s.
MEEM: Korean letter used in words that describe ‘decor’
With resources that modern life provides, it is Design Meem’s mission to take Jogakbo in to its most expressive, creative forms. We create contemporary renditions of Jogakbo, introducing this rich textile craft to world’s homes.
Piece by piece, Design Meem’s continues the evolution of Jogakbo and the efforts of those who gave creative power to our culture.
JESSICA YOO
Chief Textile Designer, Mi Hyeon Yoo/ Jessica Yoo was trained as a visual communication designer at Hong Ik University of Korea. Jessica has been creating renditions of Jogakbo for over 20 years. As a woman raising a family in a foreign country, her career as a designer took a back seat to adjust to their new life. Then, she discovered traditional Korean crafts that embraced creativity and functionality in the context of home. Through Jogakbo, she kept in touch with her cultural roots of Korea and found herself embracing Vancouver’s nature as content to her design. Since then, she has honed the traditional sewing techniques, and intuitively translated Jogakbo with her modern sensibility.
KANE AN
Kane H.I An has worked 24 years in Korea’s global advertising agency called Cheil Worldwide as an Executive Creative Director. In 2014, he launched Design Meem with Jessica Yoo to position Korea’s traditional Jogakbo as a unique textile and decoration in interior design. He is now a Creative Director of Design Meem.
