2024 Design Shanghai Report

Shanghai, China

Content

Shanghai Design Week Introduction
Summary & Suggestions
CMF Design Forum and Workshop Highlight
Exhibition Highlight

Shanghai Design Week Introduction

Design Shanghai is one of the world’s most prestigious international design events and Asia’s premier design event. Constantly breaking new ground, it has set a precedent in China’s ever-growing design community. Returning from 4–7 June 2025 at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, Design Shanghai aims to explore how Eastern and Western design philosophies can work together synergistically across 4 vibrant Halls. The event also features bespoke installations, an inspirational design forum and exciting networking events.

Summary & Suggestions

Summary

Chinese Culture & CMF design
Making CMF design based on Chinese Culture ：Abstract, Artistic Conception & Blank
Daimler CMF Desgin Manager：
Sustaianble material is the new luxury and new premium.
Vivo CMF Design:
To understand what colors or materials does differenct market segments like to create an enduring experience?.
Covestro – Circular Design Concept & CMF GuideBest online research resources
Recycling of plastics at different stages. How to help material recycling from design？

Suggestions

What can we do to create a next life for our leather material?
How can we do or how can our customers do from design point to make leather material more sustainable?
As MingXing our Chinese local competitor and Alcantara have booth in Design Shanghai, can we also consider to have a booth next year. Lots of our customer designers attended this event which might be a good opportunity to market Pangea and our leather products.
Learn from different materials. What did they do to be more sustainable? What did they do from design angle? What can we learn from them?

CMF Design Forum

&

Workshop Highlight

The story of Mulan blends into the color of the lipstick.
Four Season – Chinese traditional embroidery used on the powder box.
Mongolian impression – the use of traditional leather carving process, hot press color changing leather.

The consumption characteristics of the present society.
The influence of Chinese culture, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism on the consumer group.
Western Culture VS Chinese Culture: Figurative VS Abstract，Individualism VS Collectivism
Case analysis: How to integrate Chinese elements to attract consumers：A moutain is not a moutain. Creating a unique sense of atmosphere.

Traditional Japanese aesthetics and hospitality were introduced through eco-friendly products, including those that have won international awards like the Design Award. These products, enriched with both tradition and design, will provide inspiration for your space proposals.

Japanese traditional aesthetics express the spirit of Japanese hospitality.
Products are developed with a focus on environmental friendliness.
Features of products that have won international design awards.

New generation luxury car exterior body color design: full of Benz brand elements.
New generation luxury car interior materials design：embossed Laurel elements on the seat to create an elegent and sporty style.
Sustainable materials design detail： it is not only a story but it is a symbol of new luxury and new premium.
Smart Concept Car: using new buck leather and Nappa leather combination.

The three aspects of OPPO’s CMF design are colour, material and surface texture treatment.

People in different age and stage will have different taste and likes & dislikes.
How to judge the right aesthetic trends? Market research and experience the real life.
Collecting current trends and understand the local culture and finish the report in the end.

The market landscape has shifted significantly, presenting the realm of brand design (both international and local brands) with formidable challenges;
Rethink- The tumult of the market and the contradiction inherent in revitalizing local brands;
Future Assumption – The role of design moving forward: What actions should be taken, and how should they be executed?

Introduce advanced circular materials, and how to use them for industrial products?
How to understand and utilize cirular design concept for industrial design?
How to express “circular” through CMF design? And how to let end-users feel the value of sustainable materials via design? Maybe you also meet with these questions in industrial design.

CMF in Design: The importance of color, material, and finish in aesthetic and functional home design.
Simplicity: Using natural, sustainable materials and handcrafted elements for tranquility and simplicity.
Maximalism: Utilizing bold colors, shiny surfaces, and diverse textures to encourage creativity and joy.

In the post-epidemic era, the relationship between Asia’s creative community and international trends shows a synchronization of values and ideologies, as well as the emergence of regionality and individuality.
Japanese minimal design style has emerged in new forms expression, while a new wave of innovation in traditional crafts, are closely linked to technology innovations.
Asian countries has shown a reflection on regional terroir and traditions, with the emergence of individuality-rich color and material characteristics.

Chris Lefteri Show & Tell CMF Training Workshop

Consumers have higher expectations for design, materials, and storytelling in the fields of products, automobiles, interior decor, and furniture. Materials have become the main protagonist in these product narratives. This thought-provoking, hands-on training workshop, led by materials expert Chris Lefteri, will introduce you to CMF (Colour, Material, Finish) and material-driven design. Discover how to achieve higher levels of innovation in novel and unique ways, enhancing both products and the design process.

Topics covered in the workshop include: