51吃瓜

Developed from one of the earliest design programmes in China, founded by the Wuxi Institute of Light Industry in 1960, the School of Design at Jiangnan University has a long-standing tradition of excellence in design education in China. The school’s approach to education is to cultivate responsible, respected and research-orientated designers with an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions to societal issues. The programmes combine an understanding of traditional Chinese culture with a focus on innovative design. 

The school pioneers innovation in design education, winning five national awards for educational reform. Over the years, its leaders have adopted forward-thinking approaches to training the next generation of innovative designers. Its courses integrate art, industry and international perspectives to offer a well-rounded education and collaborative learning opportunities for students. 

The design school’s comprehensive approach to education and research plays a key role in its numerous accomplishments. Its graduates and faculty members have contributed to various projects approved by the National Social Science Foundation of China, winning several awards. They have undertaken design commissions such as the 2008 Olympic Games medal design, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games mascot and the Nanjing Metro public artwork project.

Supported by strong faculty-led research, the school plays an active role in supporting the growth of traditional Chinese culture in the digital era. The research projects cover subjects such as public art, cultural communication, architectural heritage, urban renewal, design history and contemporary Chinese art.

Its faculty members have contributed to publications that capture the history and evolution of design. For example, The Complete Works of Chinese Minority Designs is a 55-volume project emphasising the importance of protecting and passing on the traditional culture of minority groups in China. Similarly, the history of design in the country is highlighted in a book series on contemporary design works of China, curating artworks related to urban construction, products and advertisements.

Emerging technologies and disciplines are embraced through the school’s innovation strategy that incorporates product development and user experience design. Long-term strategic collaborations with companies such as Haier and Midea Group showcase the school’s success in supporting industry innovation. 

The school leverages emerging technologies to provide comprehensive design solutions, from product development to service design for leading enterprises. For example, the International Joint Research Laboratory for Healthcare Design serve as a hub for promoting international research collaboration and innovation in medical design. The school has collaborated with design experts at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and companies such as Philips and GE HealthCare to develop intelligent products.

Alumni from the School of Design have built successful careers at leading companies such as Alibaba, SAIC Volkswagen, Huawei and Sina Corporation. The school facilitates industry networking for students through events focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, while its strong alumni network offers valuable opportunities to establish professional connections.

The school’s focus on sustainability and global design development trends creates a seamless link for international collaboration. The school maintains partnerships in teaching and research with institutions in more than 20 countries. In 2009, the School of Design was one of the first in China to join the Cumulus Association, a global association for art, design education and research. It was also a key player in establishing an international network of design schools and institutions, known as the DESIS (Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability) Network.

about Jiangnan University.