‘be formative’ is a design studio based in Seoul, founded by Yejin Kim and Kiyong Lee in 2020. Following their previous practice, ‘Craft Combine’, the studio works across product, lighting, furniture, and spatial design.

The studio focuses on forms found in everyday life, the ways objects are used and experienced, and the relationship between materials and making processes. Rather than creating completely new forms, be formative is interested in details discovered through structure and production.

Working with materials such as metal, glass, wood, and fabric, the studio explores the balance between handcrafted processes and industrial production. In both collaborations and independent projects, be formative continues to develop its own design language through making and experimentation.

Both designers graduated from the Product Design at Hongik University in 2017. Yejin Kim also completed a dual major in Textile Art & Fashion Design. Kiyong Lee completed the Korea Design Membership program in 2015 and received a Master’s degree in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship from ECAL in 2023. He currently teaches as an adjunct professor at Daegu University, Konkuk University, and Hongik University.