Environmental design is a comprehensive design work where various professional design fields collaborate to improve our life beautifully and functionally. A systematic approach to shared goals and collaborations between fields such as architecture, design, and crafts should be seamlessly and organically conducted to assure the integrity. Established in 1980, the Institute of Environmental Design is a research institute to provide the basis for a comprehensive approach to environmental design research by utilizing the strength of Kookmin University with the advanced research capabilities covering the fields of architecture, urban design, industrial design, visual design, metalwork and jewelry, ceramics, fashion design, spatial design, entertainment design, and automotive design. The main research projects include government projects and industrial development projects, and the projects are educational opportunities for real projects in connection with graduate schools. In addition, to share expertise in the design and crafts sectors, the Institute publishes the “Design Studies,” and support design-related academic activities.

The Institute of Techno Design was established in 1999 with the establishment of the Graduate School of Techno Design, which was selected in the Ministry of Education BK21 Project. The Institute of Techno Design aims to contribute to the development of Korean design by studying design theories and practices based on technology, ecology, ethics, Asianism, management, and spirituality under the goal of digital-technology-enhanced design. Since 2010, the Institute has been conducting researches aimed at devising 'Smart Green Design' based on creativity and design that seek a practical solution to global warming and depletion of energy resources, in order to pass on a better global environment to future generations. Since 2012, the Institute has hosted the International Competition for the Design of Dokdo Guesthouses, and the Institute has held seminars and conferences with domestic and foreign companies, carrying out substantial research through establishing industry-academy-research cooperation networks.

The Oriental Culture & Design Center was established in 2004 with the aim of identifying cultural identity, diversity and design identity in East Asia. The Center aims to systematically study oriental design based on the cultural background of the three East Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. The main research focuses on the four stages including ‘basic research,’ which builds a culture based design framework through analysis of cultural elements, ‘case study,’ which explores the relationship between users, objects, and space in the environment of food, clothing, and shelter, ‘methodological studies,’ which produces culture-based guidance through such basic and case studies, and ‘design research,’ that derives formative identity through commonality and differentiation of oriental design. Based on the results of the research, the Center carries out academic presentations, industry-university projects, and international exhibitions, and further presents various products as OD brand. The Center is carrying out research cooperation, researcher exchanges, and joint project through networks with leading universities, and research institutes, and domestic and foreign companies such as Hyundai E&C, Hansem, Fursys, POSCO and LIXIL.

The Institute of Craft Culture and Industry was established in 2014 by the Department of Metalwork and Jewelry and the Department of Ceramics to serve as a research base for spreading the crafts culture and promoting the Korean crafts industry. Globally, crafts are an important field that can reflect human sensibility and cultural characteristics in the cold design of high-end technology and mass production. Designs and services utilizing crafts are on the rise in various fields related to human life. In international design events, our crafts are representative design contents that embody the characteristics of the Korean culture. The main research includes development plan of the handicraft industry; research on design, production, distribution, and consumption for the revitalization of the craft industry; linkage strategies between university crafts education and industry; and development of social crafts education program. In the long term, the Institute aims to present a craft culture-technology convergence through combining history, materials, and techniques of Korean crafts, and advanced technology.