Chen Xiaochun

654789759@qq.com

THE 11th China (Shenzhen) International Industrial Design Festival kicked off at Bao’an Children’s Palace on Dec. 11, attracting nearly 500 people from the design community, the Bao’an government, and the commerce and media sectors.

“My first visit to Shenzhen was in 2010 when I came to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network 2010 Shenzhen International Conference, just after the designation of Saint-Etienne as a UNESCO City of Design. Shenzhen was already designated as a City of Design in 2008. At that time, I was really amazed by the city. I have had two more chances to come and have seen the wonderful transformation of the city over the past 10 years,” said Josyane Franc, head of International Affairs for the Cité du Design Saint-Etienne of France.

“Bao’an has been continuously improving its business environment in recent years. There are over 50 enterprises in Bao’an whose products have won internationally renowned industrial design awards, such as the Red Dot Award and iF Design Award,” said Huang Sheng- hua, head of the publicity department of Bao’an.

The annual festival aims to give play to the key role of industrial design as an innovation driving force and connect design with traditional industries to inject new vitality.

Meanwhile, 10 innovative designs, including one gold award, two silver awards, three bronze awards and four excellence awards, were selected at the road show of the Bao’an Cup Innovative Design Competition on Dec. 10, a highlight of the festival.