Entrepreneurs have designs on the future

By Xie Yu in Shanghai (China Daily) Updated: 2012-12-17 10:01

New generation of creative people is emerging, finding outlets for talent

After being the world's factory for decades, China is stepping up its game by increasing innovation, especially by independent designers.

Entrepreneurs have designs on the future

A Shanghai Breeze Fan - a sandalwood fan depicting Shanghai skyscrapers, designed by Chinese designer Carl Liu. Along with an increasing number of young designers like Liu, Chinese products are winning a reputation for their features, rather than cheap prices. [Provided to China Daily]

"Made in China is dead. Designed in China killed it," Diana Tsai said as she founded the world's first online design shop BUNDSHOP.COM in Shanghai, to feature products designed in China.

Since late October, BUNDSHOP has been showcasing one new design product every 24 hours to the world, by designers from the bustling metropolises of Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong to the peaceful coastal cities of Hangzhou and Xiamen.

Even though we just started sales on Nov 22, we are already seeing some works gaining popularity. These include SOZEN's bamboo vases, John Meng's innovative wine bottle lamps and Carl Liu's Shanghai fans, said Stephany Zoo, marketing director.

BUNDSHOP is to export the products and stories behind independent designers and brands in China. Tsai said she and three co-founders from the United States and Shanghai together built the platform to publicize the emerging generation of creative and innovative brands that are shifting China from Made in China to Designed by China.

Based on their roots back in the US, Tsai and her team members are trying to introduce the best design works from China to the whole world. They ship to 90 countries, almost all over the globe.

Born and raised in the US, Tsai never thought she would be involved with a design circle before. She was interested in policy making and went to Georgetown University to study international political economy.

However, she was inspired a lot during her trips to Shanghai - the hometown of her mother. When she started seeing many emerging designs but few opportunities for their creators to exhibit or sell their work at home or abroad, she thought it was an opportunity to exploit.

"We kept hearing the same complaint from designers all over China - that their only way to reach the international world were platforms like eBay or Etsy, nothing customized or branded, no company that actively promoted their design inspirations," said local Shanghai cofounder Donnie Yu.

Special Coverage