The Successful Launch of Design Shenzhen: International and Chinese Creatives Unite
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Design Shanghai, Asia’s largest and most influential design fair, expanded its event portfolio this year with the introduction of Design Shenzhen (27th February - 2 March 2023). Embracing the city's dynamic atmosphere, Design Shenzhen attracted 40,326 visitors and showcased over 250 carefully selected brands catering to architects, interior designers, property developers, and design enthusiasts. Shenzhen proudly became the third city to host Asia's premier design exhibition, marking it as the largest curated event of its kind ever held in the city.
The exhibition infused fresh energy into the design community of the Greater Bay Area, offering a glimpse into the future and highlighting cutting-edge design and technology. Featuring global product debuts, immersive installations, specialized areas, and a thought-provoking talks program led by influential figures shaping the future of design, the event served as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration within the industry.
Zhuo Tan, Managing Director of Clarion Events Shanghai Limited, expressed, "Design Shenzhen joined Design Shanghai and Design China Beijing in creating Asia’s largest network of annual design shows. The combined events have successfully created a continuous and comprehensive design platform that promotes the vigorous development of China's design industry.”
Raymond Wang, Event Director of Design Shenzhen, articulated, "We set out to make an impact within Asia and the international stage with Design Shenzhen, spotlighting China's first 'City of Design' designated by UNESCO as a host for this cutting-edge design event. Design Shenzhen brought industry pioneers in the fields of design, culture, creativity together and showcased the vitality of design within the city."
A curated Features programme showcased the latest industry trends, innovations, and collaborations. Highlights included:
Above: Audi RS e-tron GT
Audi showcased the brand’s progressive design philosophy and innovations in sustainable premium mobility at Design Shenzhen, where it was the exclusive headline partner. Audi is redefining premium mobility with its human-centric design approach that leverages innovative technologies to improve the in-car experience. The brand envisions premium mobility of tomorrow that is designed around the passengers, whose needs and desires shape the space.
Audi’s exhibit immersed visitors in a world of forward-thinking technology, design aesthetics, and sustainability solutions embodied in the RS e-tron GT. The Four Rings shared its progressive vision for future premium mobility and innovative inside-out design paradigm that puts people at the center, while leveraging technology to create new premium experiences.
Above: Sony Design
Sony Design exhibited for the first time in China with their exhibition ‘Natural Resonance’, which spotlighted Sony's cutting-edge technology and sustainable development practices. A series of visual, auditory, and haptic sensory effects enabled visitors to be immersed and experience the cycle of natural life and our resonance with nature.
Above: Good Design Select
Good Design Select was curated by industrial designer Xiaoxi Shi in collaboration with G-MARK JAPAN GOOD DESIGN AWARD. This section presented dozens of cutting-edge, award-winning designs to Shenzhen, reflecting comprehensive design values and principles aimed at enriching lives, industries, and society. It was the first domestic event to present the 64-year history and achievements of GOOD DESIGN AWARD.
Future Home was designed by Fengfeng and Tommi Zhou, together with the A Park brand, to create an inspiring future home space in a conceptual, cross-border, and diversified way.
Neooold was curated by industrial designer Min Chen. It proposed the idea of breaking the boundaries of design, art, and craftsmanship, merging them into innovative creation. This year’s theme was “Have a Cup of Tea”, exploring the profound tea culture found in both China and the UK, alongside a stellar lineup of world-class artists and designers including Aldo Bakker, David Clarke, Dan Tomimatsu, Chi Wing Lo, Adi Toch, and Ryohei Yoshiyuki.
Above: WellConnect
WellConnect was an experimental exhibition curated by Design Shenzhen, DavidHugh, and Li Zhefeng, focusing on new ways of living in forward-thinking home and workspaces, exploring the human connection to technology, and presenting innovative lighting solutions for health and wellbeing. A "meditation cave" provided visitors with a sensory journey of sound and light. Industry pioneers and thought leaders including technology brand Dose and lighting brand Ostuni were invited to demonstrate how technology and design will affect one's body, mind, work, and living; how it inspires and leads more people to create healthier spaces and experiences in their daily lives and to explore a better solution for the coexistence of people, environment, and technology.
Above: Yum Ziya, the Chief Experience Officer of Design Shenzhen 2023
Yum Ziya is the first Virtual Human released by the designer toy brand Underverse and held the role of Chief Experience Officer of Design Shenzhen 2023. The immersive digital experience blurred the boundaries between art, fashion, and design.
Rural Futures Award marked the launch of China's first architectural practice award for sustainable rural construction. It was designed to recognize architectural practice in the field of rural construction with an emphasis on exploring the value of sustainability and forming a guide for sustainable rural revitalization. The Awards were coordinated by the young architecture community platform APT (Architecture Practice Talks) and supported by the People's Government of Shengze Town, Wujiang, Suzhou. The Construction Award was awarded to Linden Centre in Dali Shaxi by Wu Mengxi, SuiPingYiLi Architecture Studio. Their project Yaoli Village Courier Station won the Reactivation Award, and Studio Dali Architects won the Symbiosis Award for ‘Live Together Under One Roof’, a series of architecture design projects of Xiaoshi Village in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, China.
Above: Idea Box
IDEA BOX was a special curated project by Jerry Huang, the Founder of EY Products. The exhibition of living aesthetics objects showcased popular accessories designs from Shenzhen's giftware industry. Inspired by the concept of "boxes", the feature aimed to provide a platform for creative object design ideas. Each box contained a 'surprise' design object, chosen at random by visitors. This included 30 objects and accessories brands exhibitors, such as LOFREE, JELLYCAT, NANCHOW, TRIDO, KENKO, Meloria, and YIYANGYISHENG. A limited edition ‘Collection Box’ installation was created by 17 Chinese designers, including Frank Chou, Xiaoxi Shi, and Kot Ge.
Above: WAD
WAD/ World Youth Designer Conference presented the special exhibition "Back to the Oasis", curated by Gaetano Scintilla, an Italian designer known as the "Godfather of Colour". It illustrated a super-prime residential ‘green’ property exploring how luxury and sustainability can work together. The inclusion of the most common dryland plants and climbing plants in the oasis installation were used to show vitality naturally, reminding people to return to their inner perception and stimulate multiple interactions with the environment. WAD believes that no matter how a city develops and changes, regeneration and sustainability must remain the top priorities. WAD is an annual international design event initiated by China, held in a ‘Young Development City’ around the world each year, inviting outstanding young designers from different countries and regions to collaborate.
Design Shenzhen provided a global stage for emerging and leading brands and designers to launch products, interact with like-minded people, and explore the future of design, with nearly 250 design boutique brands from more than 30 countries and regions gathered across the four days.
International leaders showcased their latest collections, from Ligne Roset, Roche Bobois, Caesarstone, DURAVIT, Occhio, Aritco, Living Italy, PPG, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, and Villeroy & Boch. In addition, local brands such as Akyaya, Unicoggetto, Deco Deco, Shenzhen Unique Power Designers Brand Union, Casarte, VINEKO, Maxmarko, HOPE SPACE, and Shenzhen-based WE GALLERY highlighted Chinese culture, creativity, and design styles; including well-known local designer brand Frank Chou Design Studio which showcased its classic ORBIT sofa and Lento chair, showing the perfect combination of art and practicality.
Above: Roche Bobois
Above: Frank Chou
Above: Maxmarko
Above: UNICOGGETTO
Above: Shenzhen Unique Power Designers Brand Union
Across Design Shanghai’s event portfolio, the Forum programme has carved a reputation as the leading global platform for design thought leadership, hosting presentations from world-renowned designers, such as Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Paola Navone, Tom Dixon, and Chi Wing Lo. Design Shenzhen built on this platform to shine a light on the unique environment of Shenzhen, focusing on more forward-thinking design topics and the adoption of technologies in the design industry. Sponsored by PPG and Duravit, the 2023 Design Shenzhen Forum invited over 40 prestigious architects, designers, and tastemakers to share their insights around the forum theme ‘Regenerative Design – Design for Wellbeing: Humanity, Sustainability, Technology’. The Design Forum is an international leading platform for creative pioneers from all over the world to exchange design ideas and deliver cutting-edge design concepts. Speakers at Design Shenzhen included: Dan Su, Chairman of the Interior Design Branch of the Architectural Society of China, delivered a keynote speech on ‘Creating Dreams with Color’, Robert Greenwood, Partner and Managing Director Asia of Snøhetta, and Cheng Gong, Studio Director Shenzhen of Snøhetta, delivered a talk on ‘Design for Well-Being’, Satoshi Ohashi, Architect Director of Zaha Hadid Architects gave a speech on ‘Responsive Design’, Peter Schubert, Design Partner at Ennead Architects LLP led a talk on ‘Architectural Design-The Key to Restructuring Urban Life’, and Gaetano Scintilla Chairman of WAD and Design Director at VALÈ spoke on technology and the future at the talk ‘Back to Oasis’.
Building on the reputation of Design Shanghai, Asia’s leading design event, known for presenting thought-provoking designs and forum discussions from international talents across a global design stage, Design Shenzhen is a new regional design event that is the most extensive curated event ever presented in the city. Design Shenzhen welcomed 40,326 high-end trade visitors, leading architects, interior designers, influential property developers from the Greater Bay Area, China’s elite professional buyers and specifiers, key decision-makers from the private and public sectors, and affluent design-aware consumers.
Above: Design Shenzhen Design Forum
-ENDS-
FOLLOW US:
Website: designshanghai.com/design-shenzhen
Instagram: @design_shanghai
Facebook: @designshanghai
Twitter: @designshanghai
#designshenzhen
LOCATION
Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center
Futian District, Shenzhen, China
Press Kit: HERE
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Andrea Covington | andrea@bacchus.agency
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NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT DESIGN SHENZHEN
27 February - 2 March 2023
Upcoming 2024 Dates: 14-17 March 2024
Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center
Futian District, Shenzhen, China
Featuring everything you’ve come to expect from the creators of Design Shanghai, Design Shenzhen is a razor-sharp bespoke event – contemporary, modern and driven by design – distilled into a concentrated combination of architecture, design and style, and carefully tailored to suit the needs of the local market. Design Shenzhen provides the opportunity to do business face to face, for which there is no substitute. With over 250 world-class brands and installations, it is the largest curated event of its kind ever seen in Shenzhen.
designshanghai.com/design-shenzhen | @design_shanghai
ABOUT Clarion Events | Clarion Events Shanghai Limited
Clarion Events is one of the world's leading event organisers; producing and delivering innovative and market-leading events since 1947. In more recent times, the firm has grown into a truly international business, with a portfolio of events and media brands across a range of vertical markets. Clarion provides a range of services to the design, fashion, furniture, and interiors sector through market leading brands including Top Drawer, Premium Berlin, Lighting Design Awards, and January Furniture Show. clarionevents.com