Maison&Objet Design Award China, inspiring a generation

“Explore design, create a better world.” It’s armed with that very slogan that the promoters of the Maison&Objet Design Award China are currently scouring each region of China for its most talented young designers.  Launched on 8th May in one of the country’s most innovative cities, Shenzhen, the Award’s kick-off presentation alone attracted 160,000 connections. A nationwide roadshow to promote the Award is now currently underway. It had already taken in Taipei, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Wuxi by the end of July, and will have visited five of China’s biggest cities by the time the tour is complete. Attended by design college or university students, professional bodies and local authorities, the roadshow provides the perfect opportunity for everyone to explore what the Award’s all about. The contest is divided into two groups, students and industry professionals, and is open to designers aged 18 or over. A jury of experts will put some sixty projects through to the semi-final round in three different categories: product design, interior design and rising talents. Each category will be divided into a number of sub-categories, such as lighting, children’s design, hotel design, and so on. The entries will be judged on several criteria, including artistic merit, feasibility, innovation and environmental respect.  

This far-reaching initiative has been made possible thanks to a partnership with Chinese firm Chaoshang (“The hive”), which aims to promote Chinese designers and matchmake them with manufacturers. Aube Events is the event’s PR partner, and the Awards are sponsored by Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and backed by the French consulate in China.  Other major economic players are also lending their support, including the colossal China Building Decoration Association (CBDA), which counts some 4,000 firms as members and has a workforce of 13 million, and the Shenzhen International Art Design Center (IADC), an extensive 1.5 million square metre lifestyle complex that features a shopping centre, art town, academy and design museum. Above and beyond detecting new talent, the aim of this Franco-Chinese initiative, which is set to run for three years, is to help the designers themselves make new cultural and professional connections by giving them the opportunity to exhibit at Maison&Objet Paris. Following the comprehensive selection process, the winners will be announced in January by an international jury that includes leading designers such as Luca Nichetto, José Levy and Sebastian Herkner.  The winners will be invited to showcase their designs in a dedicated installation at the next edition of Maison&Objet Paris.

Pictures ©DR