From September 9th to 11th, the 18th China (Wuxi) International Design Expo (Design Expo) was grandly held, presenting audiences with a fusion of technology and beauty, a perfect blend of technology and aesthetics, and a splendid collision of wisdom and culture.
The Design Expo concentrated on showcasing numerous achievements in industrial design, with these design works incorporating a rich Chinese cultural background, highlighting the cultural connotation that “the beauty of design lies not only in the present but also in the future, not only in China but also in the world.”
The marvelous interweaving of technology and design displayed the power and beauty simultaneously
At the same time, the 24th China Patent Award (Industrial Design) Ceremony was held concurrently with the Design Expo, covering various designs ranging from consumer goods such as cars, TVs, and air conditioners that meet the demands of high-quality daily life, to high-tech products showcasing the future direction of technological development such as Mars rovers and robots. These award-winning projects embody the outstanding intelligence and creativity of the designers.
The exterior design of the “Zhurong” Mars rover (Patent Number: ZL201530295725.3) stood out as one of the highlights, successfully landing on Mars and showcasing China’s strength in the aerospace field globally. Designer Zhang Wangjun explained that the exterior design of the Mars rover incorporates elements of ancient Chinese butterfly kites and the expression of Chinese characters, achieving a perfect unity of technology and art and demonstrating the profound integration of “hard technology” with Chinese culture.
Xuzhou Engineering Machinery Group Co., Ltd. has designed equipment that is more human-oriented, earning them the China Design Gold Award Patent (Patent Number: ZL201830721208.1). Through the design of hollow pillars in the control room and a panoramic floor-to-ceiling glass layout, they increased the comprehensive field of view by 20%, effectively reducing operator fatigue. This design not only addressed the issues present in traditional crawler cranes but also improved operational efficiency.
The ingenious fusion of tradition and modernity, the intersection of ancient and contemporary cultures, was vividly displayed at the Design Expo.
At the expo, intangible cultural heritage and cultural creativity brought about a marvelous encounter between ancient and contemporary cultures.
The Huishan clay figurines showcased by Wuxi Huishan Clay Figure Factory Co., Ltd., a traditional craft with a history of 400 years, were revitalized through cultural and creative intellectual property and personalized design, achieving a perfect integration of traditional art and modern aesthetics. Vice General Manager Wang Jie expressed that this process rejuvenated old brands, showcasing the ingenious collision of tradition and fashion.
The United Nations stamp booth combined ancient United Nations culture with modern design by displaying exquisite stamps. Among them, the first stamp themed on intangible cultural heritage integrated elements such as Tai Chi, calligraphy, and the guqin (a traditional Chinese musical instrument), showcasing the charm of Chinese traditional culture. Zeng Shuai stated that the design of this exhibition highlighted the multiculturalism of United Nations stamps, allowing visitors to experience the unique charm of the United Nations.
Currently, China’s protection of industrial design continues to strengthen, with the annual number of design patent applications steadily increasing. China ranks among the world’s leaders in industrial design and creative product exports, demonstrating the global influence of Chinese creativity, design, and manufacturing.