design

A newly revamped British Council programme, “China Now”, stands at the forefront of fostering artistic collaboration between the UK and China, writes Tom Pattinson. After a challenging period for cultural exchange between the two countries, it provides an essential resource for UK arts organisations and artists wanting to work in mainland China. Two decades ago, cultural relations between China and the UK were at an all-time high. At the time, …

The much-anticipated 7th edition of the Design Intelligence Award – DIA 2022 – is now accepting entries. For the second year running, CBBC is partnering with DIA to showcase the best design and innovation that the UK has to offer Over the years, the Design Intelligence Award has rapidly developed into one of the world’s most prestigious award programmes. Celebrating global design, entrepreneurship and business success, it represents an opportunity …

As China’s ageing population becomes more of an issue, products that offer solutions to such problems are becoming a hot topic at events such as the upcoming Design Intelligence Awards — applications for which close on 9 July — writes Robynne Tindall The results of China’s 2020 census showed that the population is ageing rapidly. There are now 264 million people over the age of 65 in China, accounting for …

From an innovative new tampon to the world’s first 3D printed bionic arm, UK companies are serial winners at the Design Intelligence Awards (DIA) – yet another reason to enter the awards before applications close on July 9, writes Robynne Tindall In 2020, UK applicants to the DIA were awarded more funding than Japan, India and Germany combined. UK innovators topped the international league tables outside China, with 18 finalists …

The rapid pace of change in China and the appetite for good design represents a major opportunity for innovative UK companies. However, the scale of the market means that SMEs and startups can often feel lost knowing how to break into China, let alone succeed A recent CBBC webinar hosted by Mark Hedley, Director of Tech and Knowledge Economy at CBBC and featuring an expert panel including John Mathers, chair …

John Mathers, Graham Hitchen and Mat Hunter share their thoughts on what makes UK design and innovation great and how design is being leveraged to create products that solve real-world problems The Design Intelligence Awards represent an opportunity for UK entrepreneurs to access global decision-makers, investors and commissioners, build their reputation internationally and grab a share of a £750,000 award fund. The companies that enter are reviewed and advised by …

No longer just a low-cost manufacturing hub, today China is a high-tech destination with a flourishing design culture and an appetite for innovation. The Design Intelligence Award offers UK innovators a chance to tap into this huge potential market. Conventional Western thinking has often positioned China as a “fast-follower,” an absorber of technology rather than an innovator. However, in recent years, growth in multiple indicators, including R&D spending, patent applications …

Heatherwick Studio’s partner Lisa Finlay discusses the firm’s current ambitious landscaping project, 1,000 Trees, their past designing the British Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo, and future architectural trends in China, with Clizia Sala   The renders of the 1000 Trees Project under construction along the Suzhou River in Shanghai look stunning and extremely ambitious. Can you describe the project? The project has the shape of two mountains topped by living …

A partnership between the Moray Council and the Confucius Institute for Scottish Schools has led to a China-themed tartan rolling out of the mills at Johnstons of Elgin, writes Clizia Sala    Scottish S1 Pupil Emma McCain had the chance to see the tartan she designed coming off the looms at the Johnstons of Elgin mill last February. Earlier this year, she has won the design competition launched by the …

Matthew Jones is a senior consultant for Imagemakers Design & Consultancy, a UK-based design agency specialising in heritage visitor attraction and museum planning and design. Here he explains his China business journey  It all began with an archaeological adventure Our Chinese adventure began back in 2008/9 when an unlikely opportunity was presented to us. At that time, as the financial crash started to bite, we were already considering the merits …