February 2012
12 posts
10 tags
Aric Chen on BJDW 2012
Beijing Design Week (BJDW) 2012 promises to be bigger and better than last year; I spoke with Creative Director, Aric Chen, to find out how.
First of all, what initially brought you to Beijing? To be honest, it was simply Beijing that brought me to Beijing. I had no real reason to come here, except my attraction to a city that clearly had a lot going on, that was profoundly and intriguingly...
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Li Xiaodong
Based at Tsinghua University in Beijing, architect Li Xiaodong believes in striving for “the highest order of the human environment”. His working process aims as little as possible to follow an architectural style, which “limits the potential to be unique and creative”, and adopts a careful consideration of context and culture instead. Pictured is his completed Liyuan...
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Triple Major Nomad Store
For those of you who are lucky enough to be in London right now, be sure to check out Triple Major’s Nomad Store at Isis Gallery. But you’ll have to be quick - today is the last day! Details.
Image via Superfuture.
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Wallpaper China
Wallpaper China gets it’s own website (in Chinese only). Visit.
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Jonah Kessel
Jonah Kessel is an interactive art director, visual journalist and nomadically curious photographer. He offers visual communications solutions across a wide array of platforms including videography, photography, mixed media production, print, web and interactive design. Motivated to “Imagine. Create. Inspire” and to use his passion for visual storytelling to bring about...
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Li Jun
EightSix recently posted some interesting graphic works by Beijing-based designer, Li Jun. We’re hoping to track down Li Jun for an interview soon; meanwhile, visit EightSix for more images.
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Taipei Performing Arts Center by OMA
Just…it’s like someone threw the Shanghai Pearl Tower into a building. Via Dezeen.
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Beijing Design Week 2012
Yesterday, (probably one of many) preview events took place at CMoDA for Beijing Design Week 2012. The focus this year will be on crafts: expanding its meaning, as well as looking at authenticity and preservation (especially in light of the recent demolition of Liang Sicheng’s residence). Milan will be this year’s guest city and, of course, many more think tanks and workshops will be...
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Chen Man for i-D
“In light of China’s recent Dragon-tastic new year, [i-D magazine] have snapped up [Chen Man] to produce 12 covers celebrating the diversity of Chinese beauty. In a world rife with glossy spreads it’s harder than it looks to make a picture stand out – but Chen Man’s flair for high-impact imagery is everything we love about fashion photography; bold, luxurious, and ...
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More on Trace Architecture Office
Constructed by Trace Architecture Office (TAO), the Museum of Handcraft Paper is located next to Xinzhuang Village in Yunnan, which has a long history of making and developing handcrafted paper. The museum project is part of a plan to preserve this tradition, showcasing the history, process and techniques behind paper production. The museum also consists of a bookstore, work spaces and guest...
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More on Bishan Project
“Ou Ning and Zuo Jing have made successive efforts to initiate discussion on the question of rural reconstruction. Ou Ning [previously] served as Artistic Director for the 2009 Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism. Although the exhibition still retained much of the raucous individualism of its predecessors, the countryside and its history had ...
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Wuhao Winter-Water Exhibition
We’re finally back after an extended break during which, we promise, content was being curated for Design China. Before we get on with the next post, I’d like to point out our new URL: www.design-china.org!
Back to business: “Tucked away deep within the hutongs of Beijing’s Dongcheng district, the new Wuhao Curated Shop is Beijing’s first proper concept shop....
January 2012
23 posts
4 tags
Happy Chinese New Year
新年快乐！ or Happy CNY everybody! Design China will be taking a short break to welcome in the water dragon, but we hope to be back very soon.
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Fang Xiaofeng
Born in Shanghai, Fang Xiaofeng graduated in architecture from Tsinghua University, Beijing. A curator for Beijing International Design Triennial (BIDT) 2011, he now teaches at Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University and, since 2007, has been acting as editor for Zhuangshi magazine – “the only art and design core journal in Mainland China”. Fang Xiaofeng possesses a strong interest in...
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Shao Fan
Shao Fan was born in 1964 into a family of artists, and studied woodcarving and porcelain at the Art & Craft Research Institute, Beijing. He is most famous for a series of “re-appropriated pieces of classical Ming-style furniture that merge with a contemporary aesthetic…some of which integrate heavy, black, angular shapes that, in a way, mimic Chinese ideograms”. More via...
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Song Tao
“Designer, curator and entrepreneur Song Tao – a true mover and shaper [in design] – champions a fresh but distinctly Chinese aesthetic. Known for his product and interior design, Song Tao is perhaps even more famous for the work he has done on promoting his peers”. Via Stylites.
See more from Song Tao via designboom.
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Kerry Hotel Re-branding
More an observation (that I’ve been meaning to post for a while) than a design story, but the Kerry Hotel was recently renovated and, subsequently, re-branded. The new identity is much simpler than the old, and classier as a result (in my opinion). What do you think?
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Smartwood
Created by Hangzhou-based, Zhao Lei, Smartwood is a range of flat-packed DIY furniture with a creative edge. Zhao Lei strongly believes that design should be functional; some of his products “are just nicely designed standalone pieces, whilst others can be adapted. For example, the S03 shelving system allows you to realise multiple structures through different combinations of standard...
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Nicolas Favard
“Jewellery is a means of expression. It is for people. A piece of jewellery is a conversation between the jeweller, the wearer and those who look at it. A dialogue with materials, sensuality and feelings”. Via Nuandao.
Image courtesy of Lionel Derimais.
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UA Town
Supposedly China’s largest art store (which I doubt, but moving on), UA Town is located in The Place, Beijing. It is divided into three functional areas: UA Art, UA Design and UA Bar, “merging artistic design, fashion lifestyle and entertainment”, and “has successfully built an interactive art platform that brings together a number of art and design works created by both...
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Chen Man
“Since bursting onto China’s media scene with a series of eye-catching covers for Vision magazine in 2003, Chen Man has become the country’s premier fashion and beauty photographer. The 31-year old Beijinger was still just a student of graphic design and photography at CAFA when her unique style catapulted her into the public realm”. Continue reading via CreativeHunt.
...
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brandnü
Launched in 2009 by Nathan Zhang, brandnü is an ethical trade network that works in partnership with China’s socially-conscious designers and artists to help re-design rural livelihoods by offering support, resources and better access to urban markets. Nathan has been working with fashion designers Sarah Yun and Zhang Na on an upcycled fashion project since 2011 and recently sent in...
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Wuhao Sale
“2012 is here, the dragon is coming; it’s time for a fresh start, good resolutions and sales! This weekend at Mao-er 35, it’s time to indulge yourself, make your house comfy and your beloved happy. Black dresses, crazy shoes and warm coats, funny gloves and colourful products are waiting for you. From 14-15 Jan, noon-8pm”.
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FEI Space Sale
“One of our favourite boutiques, FEI Space in 798, is holding a sale until 21 January. With brands like Topshop and Alexander Wang on discount, we strongly recommend you head that way this weekend. Why not combine it with the talk Robert Burnell is giving at UCCA? Sounds like a good idea to us…” Via Bespoke Beijing.
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Norlha
Situated in the heartland of the Tibetan plateau, Norlha develops hand-made products using local, raw materials such as khullu, the precious fiber that insulates yaks from the harsh winter. The young social enterprise has developed its own workshop, which provides over 70 nomads with a livelihood through stable employment. It also brings economic activity that eases the exodus towards cities,...
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Paper Tiger Shanghai
Featuring designs that reflect China’s cultural richness, the Paper Tiger Shanghai collection comprises of contemporary, colourful and energetic gift paper made from 100% recycled paper and soy-based inks. The brand mixes traditional with contemporary to make gift wrapping fun and expressive for the giver, as well as special for the receiver.
www.papertigershanghai.com
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Bananafish Books
Bananafish Books is an independent bookstore based in Dalian, China that sells indie brands, artists’ books and zines. Their in-house publishing studio, A Perfect Book, also works in close collaboration with photographers and illustrators “to explore the intimacy between words and images, paper and colour, printing techniques and reading enjoyment”.
...
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Fiercer Dragon on Stamp Stirs Debate
The new Year of the Dragon stamps issued by China Post “have sparked a heated debate on the Internet as some users say the dragon looks too fierce and sinister, which goes against the traditional auspicious meaning of dragons in China”. Designer Chen Shaohua, however, has defended the image claiming that “…dragons’ main responsibilities in ancient times were to ward...
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Re-thinking Shanghai 2012
Architecture and design company 10 are running an interesting competition right now whereby creatives have been asked to devise a sustainable intervention for Suzhou Creek in Shanghai. The intervention can be anywhere along the creek; it must occupy at least 150,000 square meters, and comprise of residential, office and commercial facilities. Judges are specifically looking for designs that...
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Do A Book Exhibition
Do A Book is an exhibition at White Space Gallery in Caochangdi, Beijing devoted to exploring book design and text-based artworks. Curated by George Chang and Katherine Don, Do A Book opens on 18 February 2012 and provides “a unique opportunity to reconnect with the important tradition of creative expression”. Details.
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Online Store Launch
Triple Major have just launched their online store, stocking “hard-to-find, progressive designers from all around the world along with our in-house label”. Multiple currency options available, as well as free worldwide shipping. Visit the store.
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Professor Zhao Jian
Professor Zhao Jian is an Associate Professor of Visual Communication at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University and a guest professor at the Graduate School, China Art Academy. Also an AGI member, Professor Zhao Jian specialises in book design, posters, typography and identity design and his work was recently published in Meggs History of Graphic Design by Richard Doubleday....
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Urban Carpet
Initiated by Instant Hutong, Urban Carpet is a project series consisting of 8 maps embroidered on canvas. Each map depicts different hutong areas in downtown Beijing and have been made with the same techniques previously adopted by the Chinese Communist Party to realise their propaganda banners. Since 2009, the carpets have been exhibited via hanging on ropes, wires and threads in streets - a...
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More on Plastered8
Plastered8 are celebrating the new year with new designs (pictured), a new store (opening at 798 soon), and an online sale all throughout January. Details.
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2011 Roundup
Design China only opened for business on 24 October 2011, yet we’ve managed to cover 140 stories, features and interviews in just over 2 months. I hope this is an indication of a flourishing Chinese design industry; let’s hope 2012 is filled with many more adventures, exploration and discoveries. Visit our Archive.
December 2011
37 posts
5 tags
Happy New Year
View from 7th floor, Liang Dian Design Center.
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Shan Design Studio
Shan is a Beijing-based, multi-disciplinary design studio that places great emphasis on culture and concept. Founding designers Yao Ye and Lee Xibin exhibited in Milan last year and were recent recipients of the JP TDC 2011 award from Tokyo Type Directors Club. I caught up with Yao Ye and Lee Xibin to find out more.
Where are you both from and what did you study? Yao Ye (YY): I was born in...
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Creative Future Opening Season: AV@AR
Co-presented by onedotzero and the newly opened CMoDA (China Millennium Monument Museum of Digital Arts) in Beijing, AV@AR is the opening event of a series taking place under the theme, Creative Future. It entails three units: a multimedia exhibition, an audiovisual programme, and an interactive music video lounge.
With 10 installations from both Chinese and international artists, the...
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LDDC Housewarming Party
Liang Dian Design Center (or LDDC, Beijing’s very first center dedicated entirely to design) will be hosting a housewarming, after-Christmas and everything-in-between party. “So come on over to enjoy some finger food & wine, browse our current art & design exhibitions, get to know other creatives based in the building, and learn more about what we do”.
When? 29...
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More on The Opposite House
On display until 9 January 2012, the ‘solar tree’ at The Opposite House is constructed of 105 reclaimed solar thermal vacuum tubes. The Christmas tree is nearly 6 metres in height and 4 metres wide at its base, and a three-dimensional solar energy icon (designed by German graphic artist, Karl Duschek) replaces the traditional crowning star to represent the potential of solar power....
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The Strategy of an Empty City
“[Zhang Hongbo’s] works present a kind of familiar but also strange visual experience. They seem familiar because they are of existing public, political, economic and cultural spaces that urbanites use on a frequent basis. They are strange because those places are usually always crowded but, now, the people are missing”. Via ArtLinkArt.
The Strategy of an Empty City: Zhang...
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Huang Yichuan
Beijing-based jewellery designer, Huang Yichuan, has quickly gained recognition for her blue and white porcelain collections. Majoring in fashion design in her native Hangzhou, the young designer has always been strongly influenced by a love for antiques. Her first porcelain necklace was actually born “simply because my skin was allergic to many necklaces sold on the market”; since...
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Surface Magazine
Make sure to grab a copy of Surface magazine (Feb 2012 edition) for their feature on Chinese design, which includes profiles on Sun Yun, Lost & Found, Li Naihan and Sun Wentao. Meanwhile, here’s an exclusive sneek peak.
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Shi Qing x Arrow Factory
Instigated earlier this month, Nothing Lasts Forever is a project by Shi Qing which uses the physical site of Jianchang Hutong “as a space for dissemination — not of ideas or information — but of raw materials. Shi Qing has designed and built eight different types of road blockades reminiscent of makeshift barriers often found on battlefields or in besieged urban areas. Each is ...
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Yiyi Wang
Yiyi Wang is a senior student majoring in Fashion Design at Raffles Design Institute, Beijing and her graduate collection, Silk Life, recently won second place in the annual Raffles-BIFT fashion show (see interview with Academic Director, Vincent Rondia). Lynn Zhang of Design China sat down with the young designer to discuss life as a Raffles student, her graduate project and the inspiration...
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More on Vega Zaishi Wang
New S/S 2012 collection, just released. See more.
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Graniph Design Award 2012
Earlier this year, NeochaEDGE collaborated with Graniph on a series of t-shirts illustrated by Chinese designers and artists. Now, Graniph are opening up calls for entry to a larger audience. Twelve awards are up for grabs, including the production and sale of successful designs, and submissions will be accepted from 1 February-31 March. Details.
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Signed-by
Signed-by is a concept store located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong and a space dedicated to avant-garde fashion and design. Founded by Nicola Borg-Pisani of ilivetomorrow, Signed-by collaborates with designers from around the world (including Beijing’s Triple Major) “to propose a unique experience of daily life and domestic environment”. Make sure to check out their new website,...
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Professor Ma Quan
Professor Ma Quan currently acts as head of the Department of Visual Communication at Tsinghua University in Beijing, as well as Director of the Institute of Brand Design Communication. With a background in advertising and packaging design, Professor Ma has been working with his team to improve the visual identities of various cities across China. I visited him in his studio to discuss latest...
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Mary Ching
“Luxury shoe brand Mary Ching is known for a lot of things – understatement not being one of them. Now, and fittingly, the label’s new Shanghai HQ, housed in Bridge 8 Creative Zone, mirrors the unabashed opulence, playful eccentricity and downright fabulousness of the shoes themselves”. Via CreativeHunt.