Design Shanghai 2025: Where Creativity Meets Humanity
The 12th edition of Design Shanghai concluded with remarkable energy and vision, cementing its status as Asia’s foremost international design fair. Read some of the key highlights of the annual design event.
The 12th edition of Design Shanghai concluded with remarkable energy and vision, cementing its status as Asia’s foremost international design fair. Held from June 4–7 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, the 2025 edition welcomed over 76,000 visitors and more than 600 brands from over 30 countries, affirming its role as a global epicenter of design innovation and cultural exchange.
This year’s central theme, “Design for Humanity,” guided the event’s expansive programming—from immersive installations to keynote conferences. The theme wasn’t merely a curatorial motif but a unifying mission, inspiring participants to examine how design can confront real-world challenges such as sustainability, wellbeing, and emotional resilience. “‘Design for Humanity’ was not just a theme—it became a shared mission,” said Zhuo Tan, Event Director of Design Shanghai. “From sustainability to emotional wellbeing, the event showed how design can actively respond to the complex challenges of our time. It reminded us that truly meaningful design must begin and end with people.”
Sustainability emerged as a key focus across installations and product showcases. Highlights included Re:Materialize, curated by Rong Design Library, and Materials First by Chris Lefteri, which emphasized circular design and ecological materials. Italian surface specialists Mapei and Florim, and Japan’s Ultrasuede®, demonstrated how innovation and sustainability can coexist beautifully. The debut of the Collectible Design and Art section marked a milestone for the fair, presenting limited-edition pieces from artists and designers that bridged fine art and functional form. Chinese designer Li Yan Xun’s “Wood No.5” ceramic side tables stood out with their tactile, tree-stump-inspired forms, using techniques rooted in ancient glaze traditions.
One of the most talked-about features was The Future Emotional Refuge by UK-based Inoasis—a brainwave-reactive immersive installation exploring emotional health through light and sound. The Global Design Conference also sparked critical conversations, including a provocative panel on human vs. AI creativity featuring leaders from Amazon XR, Heatherwick Studio, and The Orangeblowfish. On the floor, heritage and innovation converged. Danish brand GUBI launched a limited-edition 9602 Floor Lamp in collaboration with GARRO ÉDITIONS, merging Paavo Tynell’s lighting mastery with Henry Moore’s expressive drawings. Meanwhile, Frank Chou’s collaboration with Audi presented The Living Space—an experiential blend of automotive and interior design.
Chinese studios shone across categories. Studio RE+N introduced the sustainable “Lunar Gleam” lighting series using recycled aluminum and 3D-printed plastics, while TIWUWORKS and U+ revisited traditional furniture forms through a contemporary lens. Cultural dialogue remained central to the event. The Made in Jingdezhen and Beyond Craft Japan exhibitions explored how traditional craftsmanship can be reimagined for modern contexts, enriching both the local and international design discourse.
As Design Shanghai 2025 closed its doors, it left behind more than products or trends—it ignited new perspectives on the social and emotional role of design. With an eye toward the future, it reaffirmed that great design is not only about form, but about humanity itself.
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Design Shanghai, Asia’s leading design fair, opens its doors tomorrow and will include a special exhibition around Collectible Design as well as a spotlight on Chinese craftsmanship. Design Shanghai is open between June 4-7, 2025.
The 12th edition of Design Shanghai will explore the theme of ‘design for humanity’. Featuring leading brands from over 30-countries and spotlighting over 600 curated design pieces. The events will take place between June 4th-7th at the World Expo Exhibition Center.