World Economic Forum on China Business Summit 2006http://www.weforum.org/pdf/SummitReports/china2006/creative.htm
The Creative Imperative in China
http://www.weforum.org/pdf/SummitReports/china2006/sustainable_growth.htm
Sustainable Growth
China Design: How the mainland is becoming a global center for hot products
Sony had a problem in China: The company was seen by many young Chinese as Daddy's brand. So in August the company opened a design center in Shanghai. The three designers there quickly set about trying to understand the lives of young Chinese, giving 50 of them digital cameras and asking them to document their daily lives in photographs...
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_47/b3960003.htm
Monday, May 28, 2007
Symbol of Happiness
Magpie is a symbol of happiness in Chinese culture. The singing of a magpie foretells happiness and good luck.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa081000a.htm
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa081000a.htm
Unique Letters
People of the Jingpo minority in Yunan Province in south China are well known for their cleverness at writing letters in objects rather than ink.
To show that one misses a relative, or a friend who is far away, one will send a unique letter composed of a root plus a few grains of sesame. The root represents "miss" while the sesame means "very much." If one receives a piece of beef or pork from someone, the sender is saying that, "Someone in the family died the other day, but I am sorry that we did not inform you to attend the funeral because of the long distance."
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa081800a.htm
To show that one misses a relative, or a friend who is far away, one will send a unique letter composed of a root plus a few grains of sesame. The root represents "miss" while the sesame means "very much." If one receives a piece of beef or pork from someone, the sender is saying that, "Someone in the family died the other day, but I am sorry that we did not inform you to attend the funeral because of the long distance."
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa081800a.htm
Live in Style
The Fashionable Life of Beijing Youth
The Chinese youth, especially the white collars in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, now form a fashion of seeking stylish life. To them, grace is something that needs guidance, since it connects with not individuals but social atmosphere. With times' development, the distinction between grace and fashion has been blurred out. Long hair can be graceful, skinniness can be graceful, and acting cool can also be graceful. Grace has actually been nothing but a wish.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa030201a.htm
The Chinese youth, especially the white collars in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, now form a fashion of seeking stylish life. To them, grace is something that needs guidance, since it connects with not individuals but social atmosphere. With times' development, the distinction between grace and fashion has been blurred out. Long hair can be graceful, skinniness can be graceful, and acting cool can also be graceful. Grace has actually been nothing but a wish.
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa030201a.htm
Favourite Plants of China
Bamboo is one of the four favorite plants along with Chinese plum, orchid and chrysanthemum, the so-called Four Men of Honor (Si4 Jun1 Zi3) by the Chinese. The characters of the four plants are highly admired by the Chinese people so they want to be just like the four plants. In turn, the plants have possessed some human nature. This is an example of the harmony between nature and human being (Tian1 Ren2 He2 Yi1)..
http://chineseculture.about.com/cs/culture/a/bambooculture.htm
http://chineseculture.about.com/cs/culture/a/bambooculture.htm
LCD Screens to Replace Bus Stops' Noisy Bells
Screens to replace bus stops' noisy bells
In Shanghai they're replacing bells that tell bus drivers when to leave> with LCD screens that show them. They're cutting back on the audial pollution perhaps? and as well as that..
Drivers must turn off their vehicles after waiting at a station for more than eight minutes and the third bus that pulls into a line at the station must also cut its engine.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-05/14/content_871875.htm
In Shanghai they're replacing bells that tell bus drivers when to leave> with LCD screens that show them. They're cutting back on the audial pollution perhaps? and as well as that..
Drivers must turn off their vehicles after waiting at a station for more than eight minutes and the third bus that pulls into a line at the station must also cut its engine.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-05/14/content_871875.htm
Urban Adventures
Urban adventure popular
To many people, urban adventures offer a chance of forgetting the hustle and bustle of cities, and of looking at the other side of the cities they live in, behind its luxurious and modern facade.
"Beijing has been the capital of China since hundreds of years ago, and its deep cultural back ground make it a paradise for us adventurers," said Lami (not his real name) . "We appreciate different cultures and styles of different cities in our adventures."
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-05/15/content_872908.htm
People are seeking to enjoy more from the environment they live in through experiences they are recently discovering available.
An Urban Playground
Amid wheeler-dealers, an urban playground(New York Times)Updated: 2007-05-14 09:38
..Out and about in Shanghai ..it won't take long for parents to discover that Shanghai, with its many parks, markets and museums, can captivate the younger set.
As early as the 15th century, the heart of Shanghai was the Yu Yuan (Yu Garden) area. This Ming Dynasty walled garden of pavilions, willows and rocks has been overshadowed by its bazaar, a labyrinth of kiosks and specialty shops overhung by swooping, Ming-style tile roofs. There, you can buy chopsticks, silk pajamas, wigs, American fast food, guitars, kites and fermented tofu, among many other items. Merchants demonstrate everything from bubble-blowers to Chinese yo-yos; others beckon passersby to sample tea and gelato.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-05/14/content_871675.htm
Deepening Cultural Reform
Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Li Changchun called for deepening reform of cultural system while attending the 3rd session of the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) on Saturday. .
"ICIF should become a platform to test and boost our cultural industry, promote Chinese culture and enhance cultural exchange with foreign countries," Li said.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/20/content_876335.htm
what am I trying to promote through my product...?
The Sicilian Guide to Chinese History
I came across this and the title struck me as being quite interesting. I currently haven't read the whole thing.. it's from someone's blogsite. It appears they also have alot of post-ups of current events in China and Asia! - taken from various news websites as well.
http://granitestudio.blogspot.com/2007/05/sicilian-guide-to-chinese-history.html
http://granitestudio.blogspot.com/2007/05/sicilian-guide-to-chinese-history.html
Disney Makes Cartoon Film Out of Chinese Legend
Disney makes cartoon film out of Chinese legend>>
The Magic Gourd (Baohulu De Mimi). The film's story is the contemporary adaptation of a classic novel written in 1958 by one of the most celebrated authors of Chinese children's literature, the late Zhang Tianyi.
The fantasy focuses on Wang Bao, a precocious boy who chances upon a magic gourd that accomplishes everything he needs or wants to do.
Ancient Incense Craze
This article will be handy for Santi to look at as he's dealing with incense in his design.
In China, Western perfumes have dominated the upscale segment of the fragrance market for years but few people know that hundreds of years ago, China had its own perfumes based on the country's unique culture and tastes. The perfumes were not only used to pamper the nose, but also represented a way of life.
Notes: not too sure whats goin on in the picture but I got it off the article's webpage. Perhaps the clothes are draped over the cage where the incense is inside to infuse the scent into the fabric.
Web Opens World for Young
Web Opens World for Young, But Erodes Respect
…Even if his teachers do not satisfy his Web-fueled curiosity, Xi says, the Internet has still changed him and his generation. "I'm part of international society now," he reckons..
How far this globalized generation will change the face of China is a matter of debate among those following young peoples' attitudes.
Sun Yun Xiao, the researcher, has greater hopes. "The sense of participation among post-90 kids is very strong," he points out. "Their sense of democracy is stronger, and this is a definite trend."
"If these kids really have the chance to think differently, the impact will be the same as in the West," he predicts. "They will be more creative, they'll be better at solving problems by themselves, and they won't simply do what they are told to do."
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/20/content_876318_2.htm
…Even if his teachers do not satisfy his Web-fueled curiosity, Xi says, the Internet has still changed him and his generation. "I'm part of international society now," he reckons..
How far this globalized generation will change the face of China is a matter of debate among those following young peoples' attitudes.
Sun Yun Xiao, the researcher, has greater hopes. "The sense of participation among post-90 kids is very strong," he points out. "Their sense of democracy is stronger, and this is a definite trend."
"If these kids really have the chance to think differently, the impact will be the same as in the West," he predicts. "They will be more creative, they'll be better at solving problems by themselves, and they won't simply do what they are told to do."
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/20/content_876318_2.htm
Ikea and Pies
“creating a better everyday life for the many people”
http://ikea.com/
1998 – Ikea opened its first store in China in Shanghai.
There are now 4 Ikea stores in China located in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
1998 – Ikea opened its first store in China in Shanghai.
There are now 4 Ikea stores in China located in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
“the Scandinavian way”
IKEA contends that it has been a pioneering force in sustainable approaches to mass consumer culture. Kamprad refers to the concept as "democratic design," meaning that the company applies an integrated approach to manufacturing and design (see also environmental design). In response to the explosion of human population and material expectations in the 20th and 21st century, the company implements economies of scale, capturing material streams and creating manufacturing processes that hold costs and resource use down, such as the extensive use of particle board. The intended result is flexible, adaptable home furnishings, scalable both to smaller homes and dwellings as well as large houses.
Newer IKEA stores are usually very large blue boxes with few windows. They are often designed around a "one-way" layout which leads customers along "the long natural way".
Design reform
As pointed out by circuit lecturer Will Novosedlik, IKEA embodies the principles of design reform begun by William Morris and John Ruskin, insofar as the company seeks to elevate public taste by providing quality goods at affordable prices.
Notes/ thoughts:
"The Scandinavian Way" - as found on the Ikea China website. China is buying into and embracing european furnishings, lifestyle products. There is even a link on the website homepage to Swedish Food!
>>Feeling apart of a different culture? a new culture?
If i had a New Zealand company that created products that were popular in China perhaps i'd also sell Meat Pies on it!
NZ pies are also very popular with overseas Asians and is something that is missed when they return home.
Hong Kong–born, London-educated collector-dealer-art adviser-curator-publisher Pearl Lam "I celebrate and exaggerate differences," she pronounces. "I'm against unity." .. she established Contrasts gallery, which invites designers and artists to blur boundaries between disciplines and cultures, past and present.
She hopes young Chinese artists and designers can learn from her juxtapositions, too. "Many of them think that just by following Western ideology, they can be successful, not understanding that the West has a different history," Lam explains. As China develops at a breathless pace and the West takes ever more interest, she adds,
She hopes young Chinese artists and designers can learn from her juxtapositions, too. "Many of them think that just by following Western ideology, they can be successful, not understanding that the West has a different history," Lam explains. As China develops at a breathless pace and the West takes ever more interest, she adds,
"Strong Chinese art should be about the reinvention of tradition—merging Western media, for example, with Chinese art and philosophy, to create something entirely new."
Catking
Contemporary European styled furniture for China and the world market. No presence of Chinese culture within the products nor in the photographs – it’s been made to look completely western/European.
Shelving and storage are the dominant products in the range as this is very important to apartment dwellers. With the very limited amount of space available it all needs to be used efficiently.
http://catking.com
Shelving and storage are the dominant products in the range as this is very important to apartment dwellers. With the very limited amount of space available it all needs to be used efficiently.
http://catking.com
Mayland
There's a big chunk of research i have that i haven't posted! So here is some of it.. part 1
About Mayland:
[International Exposition home living museum] is not only the world's top brand home territory, will become the future home international best practice and cultural currents of release platform. Enjoy the luxury brand used only for the aristocracy, has become the target pursued by Asians. Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan -- have representatives in Asia, China, Thailand and India -- a new giant of Asia today. are enjoying the royal supplies from Europe, the desire to create the international top fashion design.
To enhance the global competitiveness of Chinese domestic retailers to achieve a comprehensive upgrading of China's domestic retailers...
One of the key statements that came from this was "Building Leisure into Life". Their slogan. When you go on holiday (holiday = leisure time) to a foreign land.. say europe, you are immersed in their design and furniture. By having foreign furniture in your house, this would start to make you/help make you feel like you were living in that someplace else also, perhaps on holiday even - Transition.
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