Stockholm-based Note Design Studio is expanding its presence in South Korea with the launch of two new products at the Seoul Living Design Fair 2026. Through collaborations with Korean brands AGO Lighting and Alloso, the studio introduces the modular lighting system Aster and the modular sofa system Didim – projects that reflect Note’s multidisciplinary approach and growing international collaborations.
These new partnerships mark another step in Note’s long-term engagement in Asia, underscoring the studio’s commitment to developing projects in close dialogue with local brands and manufacturers. Through these collaborations, Note continues to explore how design can bridge different cultural and industrial contexts.
”Korea has a rich tradition of craftsmanship and a vibrant design culture. Working with AGO Lighting and Alloso allowed us to explore how our design philosophy could interact with local perspectives on space and daily life”, says Cristiano Pigazzini, Co-founder & Design manager at Note Design Studio.
The launches of Aster and Didim reinforce the studio’s growing presence in Asia and underline Note’s role as an international design partner in both product and furniture design.
”With this new collaboration, our intention was to find AGO’s own voice within a modular lighting system. I have long admired the work of Note Design Studio, and for some time they had been on my personal wish list for a collaboration. Their projects carry a distinctly Scandinavian clarity, yet there is always an instinctive wit in their work. That balance between restraint and character has always been very compelling to me. The result is a design that feels both thoughtful and restrained”, says Mars Hwasung Yoo, Creative Director at AGO Lighting.
Aster – a modular light inspired by stars
Together with Korean lighting brand AGO Lighting, Note presents Aster, a modular lighting system inspired by the night sky. Aster features a clean, balanced form, where a single point of light can expand into a more complex, architectural installation. Designed to grow over time, the system evolves from a subtle light source into a larger composition where multiple modules interact within a space. Its modular structure allows it to adapt to a variety of environments, from private interiors to larger public spaces.
”At Note, design begins with people – how we move, feel, and live in a space. We wanted Aster to be a light that brings calm and warmth, both for moments of pause and togetherness”, says Product Designer Max Stjerna at Note Design Studio.
Didim – a flexible sofa system for contemporary environments
The modular sofa system Didim was designed for Korean furniture brand Alloso to meet the need for flexible, evolving living environments. Inspired by Korea’s traditional floor-based living culture, Didim extends the principles of low, communal living into contemporary interiors.
In modern Korean homes, living, dining, and kitchen spaces often flow together, creating dynamic shared environments throughout the day. Drawing inspiration from the traditional hanok, with its low, open layout, Didim offers a flexible, adaptable approach rather than a fixed centerpiece.
Inspired by the madang (courtyard) and maru (wooden floor platform) of traditional Korean houses, Didim consists of modules that can be combined in various configurations, from compact seating arrangements to expansive lounge compositions. The design emphasizes soft forms, clear proportions, comfort, and adaptability, reinterpreting traditional spatial concepts for contemporary living rooms.
”We’re not designing a sofa. We are designing a way to use space. Instead of defining a room, Didim helps create zones. Light, low, and easy to move, it adapts as the day unfolds. It doesn’t tell you how to live; it leaves space for you to decide”, explains Product Designer Joong Han Lee at Note Design Studio.