CUZ Redefines Urban Value Through DOOH Innovation as It Wins Korea Design Award

CUZ Inc., a Seoul-based design-tech company specialising in media art for large-scale environments, received a Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy commendation at the 27th Korea Design Awards on 12 November. Organised by the Ministry and administered by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion, the award is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most prestigious recognitions for excellence in design management.

The selection process evaluates how effectively companies integrate design into their overall business strategy—from service innovation and talent development to broader social contributions. CUZ was recognised for building a management model that fuses artistic expression with technological precision, ultimately reshaping how physical spaces communicate and engage with the public.

The company’s growing profile has also extended to the global out-of-home (OOH) industry. As a member of the World Out of Home Organization, CUZ has been increasingly involved in international discussions on the future of digital media in public environments. Most recently, CUZ chief executive Jin-sil spoke at the WOO APAC Forum in Seoul during the session titled Beyond Billboards: DOOH as a Value Creator for Urban Assets. She emphasised that digital out-of-home (DOOH) is evolving beyond traditional advertising functions to become a crucial component of urban asset enhancement. By combining community messaging and artistic content within DOOH platforms, she argued, cities can simultaneously elevate aesthetic quality and generate stronger commercial impact. Jin-sil added that the industry must “redefine DOOH as a medium where advertising, urban environments and citizens coexist,” noting that the next wave of digital media should contribute meaningfully to the cultural and visual fabric of metropolitan spaces.

Since its founding in 2020, CUZ has steadily built a reputation for design excellence. Over the past four years, the company has earned honours from leading international competitions including the iF Design Award and the Asia Design Prize, reinforcing the rising competitiveness of Korean media art in the global market. Its signature works—such as “Dear Earth,” “Energy Utopia,” “Christmas Light Fantasia” and “Love Earth”—integrate sustainability themes with immersive visual storytelling.

A major driver of CUZ’s recent momentum is WAA (Where Art’s Alive), a premium B2B media art platform designed for luxury hotels, premium offices and large architectural environments. The solution combines spatial analysis, real-time optimisation and bespoke content design, offering a new model for how digital installations can create identity and atmosphere in high-value spaces. Industry observers note that WAA is helping shift media art from a decorative element to a strategic tool for both placemaking and brand expression.

Another notable initiative is CUZ’s Visual Meditation series, which blends digital art with sound and adapts to users’ breathing and emotional rhythms. The content has recently debuted on Samsung Electronics’ Daily+ platform, bringing premium visual wellness experiences into everyday home settings.