This year's Design Shanghai spotlights China's latest design innovation

Promotion: trade show Design Shanghai is returning for its 12th edition next month, aiming to build upon its history of platforming Chinese design and innovation to a global audience.

Taking place from 4 to 7 June at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, the annual Design Shanghai presents local and international designers to celebrate creativity and the latest design advancements.

This year's event will feature over 600 design pieces in categories including furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, system design, lifestyle and materials.

According to Design Shanghai event director Zhuo Tan, the 2025 Design Shanghai will have a more people-focused agenda than previous years.

"Over the past 12 years, Design Shanghai has grown while remaining youthful at heart, consistently embracing ever-evolving challenges with unwavering commitment," said Tan.

"At the same time, we stay true to our original mission of being a bridge for east-west design exchange," she added.

"This year, we will place greater emphasis on human-centred design, making the exhibition more personal and meaningful."

Among the international brands set to display work at Design Shanghai this year are Swiss furniture brand Vitra, French glassware brand Lalique and German brand Villeroy & Boch.

Also featured are Italian brand Antoniolupi, Belgian brand Bulo, and the Japanese brands Noritake, Karimoku Case, Foxx Chair and Mori Mori.

This year marks one of the "strongest international line-ups in its history" said the organisation, especially across Asia. It spotlights 33 Japanese brands and designers, spanning independent showcases and featured exhibitions.

Among the exhibitions are Beyond Craft Japan, which explores Japanese craftsmanship, from traditional crafts to contemporary design, and displays several standout Japanese design studios' work, including Acrylic Masako Ban and Atelier Oyu.

Design Shanghai also debuts the FRONT 100 showcase presented by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Thailand. The exhibition presents the work of 23 emerging Thai designers and aims to offer a forward-looking perspective on Thai contemporary design.

While Design Shanghai platforms designers from all over the world, it particularly attracts talent from China. According to Tan, the annual show has helped put local brands and designers on a global scale since its inauguration.

"Over the past 12 years, Design Shanghai has pioneered Chinese design exhibitions, witnessing modern design development in China," Tan said.

"During this time, the Chinese design industry has entered a vibrant and flourishing era, with numerous designers and brands emerging in the market and expressing their voices," she continued.

"This year, we continue to spearhead the industry, both as a trailblazer and a practitioner, leading the trends of modern design."

Following consumer trends in China – noted by Design Shanghai curators – the show plans to highlight high-quality craftsmanship with designs that focus on longevity.

As well as exhibiting a vast range of designs, Design Shanghai will host special features led by Chinese artists, designers and craftspeople, including its first Collectible Design and Art exhibition.

Aiming to tap into the market demand for personalised living spaces, the Collectible Design and Art show will feature a curated selection of limited-edition paintings, sculpture, installation art, photography, furniture and crafts.

Design Shanghai hopes to demonstrate how interiors can be transformed with unique collectible art and design pieces, as well as foster growth in China's design scene.

Designers featured in the Collectible Design and Art exhibition will include Chinese studio Pinwu, which creates contemporary pieces based on traditional Chinese crafts, and the Yanshan Art Center, which combines ceramic materials with 3D printing and computer numerical control (CNC) carving.

ChengYan Lacquerware Studio and Mexican design group Katz Studio will also take part in Collectible.

Also taking place as part of Design Shanghai is the Global Design Conference, which will bring together industry experts to discuss how design can shape the future of society.

To learn more about Design Shanghai 2025, visit its website.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for Design Shanghai as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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