Chongqing - A list of application scenarios related to industrial design for Chongqing’s pursuit of the “City of Design” was shared at the 2023 China Manufacturing Design Conference Yuelai International Design Forum in Chongqing Yuelai International Convention and Exhibition City on September 5.

Under the theme of “Digital Design, Smart Future,” the forum invited many “big names,” such as the World Design Organization (WDO), the French Designers Alliance (AFD), and the Asian Creative Industry Alliance (Singapore). It brought together outstanding national leading design companies, design institutions, industry organizations, and colleges and universities for negotiation and signing activities.

Under the “Digital Design, Smart Future” theme, the 2023 China Manufacturing Design Conference Yuelai International Design Forum is held at Chongqing Yuelai International Convention and Exhibition City on September 5. (Photo/Smart China Expo 2023)

Having users’ needs aligned with the actual experience

According to Connor Claas Hinrik, Chief Designer of New Vehicle Design at Changan Automobile Global Design Center, Changan has chosen to pursue a new design that gives equal consideration to humanity, technology, and nature in choices and to define a new era of identification.

“We envision our users in any mobility scenario, having their needs and intentions aligned with the actual experience,” said Hinrik. He hopes that Changan’s detailed creativity makes customers feel comfortable and empowered.

Connor Claas Hinrik, Chief Designer of New Vehicle Design at Changan Automobile Global Design Center. (Graphics/Chen Yingzhu)

For example, the design of the SL03 reflects a minimal, grille-less front look adorned with LED interactive headlights that spotlight unique lines, emphasizing its electric powertrain. The sleek, reduced styling is complemented by flowing side lines, frameless doors with flush pop-out handles, and a strategically aerodynamic surface design.

Changan’s Deepal SL03 was honored with the prestigious international design award, the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2023, this May. It serves as one of the world’s largest design competitions. It has become a globally recognized mark of quality for exceptional design.

With 264 eye-catching LED illuminant interactive lights, the Deepal SL03 offers individual control. It creates an interactive platform in the fog light area, ensuring driving safety and enabling powerful human-machine interaction. The Red Dot jury commended the Deepal SL03’s interactive light design, which breaks away from traditional layouts.

“We also have Color, Material Finish (CMF), that is, non-sensing and intertwined design, which brings spectacular outdoor scenery into the room and eliminates the barrier between the vehicle and the outside world,” said Hinrik.

Designers should take the lead in reinforcing sustainability

Government policies that invest in sustainable design solutions for a higher quality are essential, said David Kusuma, President of the World Design Organization (WDO).

David Kusuma, President of the World Design Organization (WDO), at the 2023 China Manufacturing Design Conference Yuelai International Design Forum on September 5. (Photo/Smart China Expo 2023)

The Chongqing Cliff Trail, one of the leading 60 characteristic mountain city trails planned by the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government and designed by T.Y.LIN International Ltd (China), won the gold medal at the Paris Design Awards 2022 in the international environmental design category last February.

Begining in a residential area and zigzags, winding up by the cliff, and crossing through parks and protected green areas, Chongqing Cliff Trail is located in the Dadukou District, where it creates a beautiful space to enjoy the beauty of the city and the river, and a colorful jog or cycleway to exercise.

The design considers the aesthetic, characteristics, sustainability, and biodiversity by using color-permeable concrete and local composite materials as the mainstays. It also removes and rebuilds the monotonous and destructive ecosystem by using a variety of all-season unique local plants.

Kusuma said designers should take the lead to reinforce sustainability better. However, many of our designs today emphasize corporate ambition instead of the human community for the future.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) have become integral to the WDO. By utilizing design as an ingeniously carved tool on the international development agenda, WDO aligns itself to address the SDGs and their respective targets by positioning design as a catalyst for accessibility, affordability, reliability, and sustainability changes.