Renowned designers and experts with diverse backgrounds, from home and abroad, gathered at the World Designers Congress during the 2024 Shenzhen Design Week yesterday afternoon. They shared their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges faced by the Cities of Design.
David Grossman, former president of the International Council of Design, highlighted the significance of Shenzhen Design Week, saying it lies in its ongoing pursuit of new paths. As it remains dynamic and adaptable, it is poised to make substantial contributions to the global community, he remarked.
Designers and experts share their views at the World Designers Congress yesterday.
"Shenzhen, situated in the Pearl River Delta, stands as a crucial manufacturing hub in China, and a City of Design recognized by UNESCO. Through design, it has prompted a substantial transformation and upgrade in the traditional manufacturing sector, marking a significant historical milestone," said Xiong Wei, director of Chengdu Creativity & Design Week Executive Committee.
"Cities such as Shenzhen, Beijing, Wuhan, and Shanghai, acclaimed as Cities of Design, have offered enhanced intellectual support for the high-quality development of various industries through design," Xiong added.
At the congress, design professionals and experts from universities delved into topics such as mapping out design strategies to fortify industries and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in design to elevate user experiences. Their discussions injected fresh insights into the global design arena.
"Design plays a pivotal role in the healthcare industry," said Jane He, design director, Industrial Design Center, Mindray Biomedical Electronics Co. Ltd., Shenzhen. "Today, our design applications span product design, user experience, usability testing, user emotions, and brand value, encompassing a broad and holistic array of aspects."
She highlighted the evolution from product-centric approaches to broader scenarios and ecosystems, ultimately leveraging digitalization, information technology, and AI to aid medical professionals in making informed decisions and predicting patient progress for advanced treatment.
Shi Danqing, associate professor of Information Art and Design Department, Tsinghua University, discussed the challenges Chat-GPT brought to designers since its introduction in 2022. He said that as AI assumes more design tasks, future designers must cultivate a multidisciplinary perspective to drive innovation.
Thomas Kvan, founding dean of School of Design at the Southern University of Science and Technology, expressed his apprehensions regarding AI. He pointed out that while AI empowers people adept at leveraging technology, it may not facilitate broad inclusivity across society and nature. He emphasized the need to design with a focus on enabling diverse societal and natural participation, if we are looking for a better life. "Cities are for the people, not just for designers," he said.