Beijing. The Chinese capital is synonymous with fast-paced urban growth, a booming population, soaring commerce and an ever-creeping concrete sprawl.
Yet there is one other element to add to the mix of this oversized supercity: a blossoming creative scene, with more than a quarter of a million architecture and design studios operating across the capital.
Beijing is evolving into something of an Asian design powerhouse, with a new wave of creative talents transforming the rapid change and urban growth that surrounds them into raw innovation.
Testimony to this were a string of high-profile new design events which recently unfolded in the capital – among them, Design China Beijing (a sister event of the ever popular Design Shanghai).
The major new trade fair, organised by Media 10, showcased the curated work of 91 mainly Chinese design brands and galleries in Beijing’s China National Agricultural Exhibition Centre.
Highlights ranged from Black Dream, a graphically-structured homeware series handcrafted in smooth black wood and leather – from chairs and lighting to a wine bottle hanger – created by rising star designer Sheng Yin and artist Kai Yi; to the atmospheric hutong-inspired house installation by Frank Chou Design Studio, filled with his clean-lined contemporary luxe furniture.
Here, Zhuo Tan, director of Design China Beijing, after showing Signpost around the new event, explains why Beijing is having something of a design moment.
What is the concept behind Design China Beijing – and its goal?
In the wake of the incredible growth of Design Shanghai and further to multiple requests for an international event directly serving the design community in the Beijing region, the Design Shanghai team decided to expand its reach by launching Design China Beijing. With Design China Beijing, Media 10 China aimed to bring more forward looking and inspiring design content and build an event of the largest scale and highest standard in the capital of China.
How would you describe the design scene in Beijing at the moment?
The design scene in Beijing is growing rapidly. Beijing being the capital means that there are so many amazing things happening within the city. The city has over the past few years increased its support of younger emerging designers – and initiatives such as Beijing Design Week have nurtured and developed many of the brands whom are now joining the first edition of Design China Beijing show. Beijing has for many years been an exciting, vibrant city encouraging its local design and art world to think outside of the box. There are many emerging enthusiastic designers in Beijing area and seeking for the constant inspirations from outside China and within the wealthy history of China.
How does its creativity compare to other cities?
As the capital and the culture center of China, designers are hugely inspired by traditional Chinese culture. Especially young designers who are aspiring to create and experiment with new modern ways of living. Designers from Shanghai are much more international, the city has a global view of design and production. You can find many foreign designers settling in Shanghai. Their business scope and client base are also very international. Beijing has its own identity within China and definitely stands out amongst many of the Asian cities as a hub of creativity. Beijing’s designers are seeking creative inspirations and products which have the Chinese DNA but also can be appreciated by modern generations.
What key factors are fuelling the growth of Beijing’s design industries? And what are the biggest challenges?
One of the key factors is the forward-looking design thinking and exploratory attempt nurtured by Beijing’s rich artistic and humanistic soil, so there have been many designs and brands with more humanistic, artistic and perceptual appearance.
Also, the rebellious spirit and the differentiated design-thinking mode are the driving forces for their innovation. The biggest challenges are the upgrade of commercial consumption, the lack of rational design brand operation and sensitivity to market demands, which design brands in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen are already adapting to. In contrast, designers in Beijing are more willing to express their personal feelings and some of them are falling into the extreme of “inspiration first” assumption.
How is the Made in China label currently perceived here?
“Made in China” has been associated in the past with cheap and mass produced goods. So I do think that a lot of Chinese brands have not felt confident highlighting the “Made in China” aspect. But this is starting to change with the rise of a number of quite edgy new generation designers who are very proud to state their work is made in China. When I’m in Beijing talking to designers, a lot of people are talking about Chinese history. I feel that people here are becoming more interested in craftsmanship, history, Asian identity. They are a lot of designers who are also love to use materials such as bamboo and rice paper.
How do you see the future for Beijing’s design scene?
It’s a really exciting time for Chinese designers. In five to ten years, I think China will become the biggest market for homeware products. The design scene here is just bubbling at the moment. Everyone is trying to make a noise plus there is state level encouragement. It is the best time for Chinese design.
British writer who moved from London to Tokyo in 2007. She is a correspondent for the UK Daily Telegraph newspaper and her articles about Japanese lifestyle, travel and design have appeared in numerous magazines, including Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, Kinfolk, Departures, Monocle, Conde Nast Traveller, Wallpaper* etc.
