Design Shanghai returns from June 4–7, 2025, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. Long recognized as one of Asia’s most influential design fairs, this year’s edition marks a pivotal shift, spotlighting “Design for Humanity” as its central theme: it leans hard into a timely and urgent, design must serve people first.
A Shift in Mindset: Designing for Real Life
Speaking ahead of the show, Event Director Zhuo Tan emphasized that this year’s vision is about connection, between East and West, designers and users, heritage and innovation. “Through design, where are we heading, and how should we act?” she asks, framing the fair as a space to reimagine our built environments through a more empathetic lens.
The Global Design Conference will bring this conversation to the forefront, with names like Ole Scheeren (Buro Ole Scheeren), Robert Greenwood (Snøhetta), and Satoshi Ohashi (Zaha Hadid Architects) leading keynote talks. These speakers are expected to tackle topics ranging from resilient urban planning to architecture prioritizing emotional and psychological well-being.
The Four Pillars of Design Shanghai 2025
Design Shanghai 2025 is divided into four major sections, each curated to a unique perspective on design innovation:
1. Furniture & Lighting
Global design heavyweights like Vitra, RS Barcelona, Formitalia, Bulo, and Lalique bring in pieces that feel less like showpieces and more like intelligent responses to modern life. The spotlight is on materials, modularity, and how lighting can influence mood and space. Key considerations when thinking about human-centered environments.
2. Kitchen, Bathroom & Systems Design
From precision-crafted bathroom systems by Villeroy & Boch to smart kitchen solutions by Gorenje and LAUFEN, this section illustrates how design thinking transforms utilitarian spaces. It’s less about showy luxury and more about intuitive design systems that understand their users and anticipate needs.
3. New Materials & Applications
Innovation pulses strongest here. From Italian tile visionaries like Florim and Secco Sistemi to sustainable textile manufacturers like Ultrasuede® and acoustic design pioneers Burgeree, this is where material science meets creativity. Exhibitors push boundaries, also present materials that push the boundaries of design, focusing on eco-friendly, forward-thinking applications, and redefining what “premium” materials can be.
4. Living & Lifestyle
A celebration of craftsmanship, this section blends beauty and utility. Brands like Aynsley and Reflections Copenhagen offer curated lifestyle pieces that aim to enhance the feel of daily rituals and create environments that are both beautiful and conducive to well-being.
Special Curations Exhibitions
Beyond the main sections, Design Shanghai 2025 features seven curated exhibitions that delve deeper into the fusion of tradition and modernity:
- TALENTS: Curated by Frank Chou, this platform supports emerging designers, offering them a stage to present innovative ideas that align with the human-centric theme.
- Neooold: An integration of art, craft, and design based on China’s rich traditional handicrafts and materials, curated by Chen Min.
- Re: Materialize, led by Zhang Lei, focuses on material storytelling, with installations that invite visitors to rethink their relationships with the resources they touch every day.
- Made in JDZ curated by Ran Xiangfei puts the spotlight on Jingdezhen porcelain, centuries-old, yet still influencing modern ceramics.
- Beyond Craft Japan delivers a quiet but powerful statement on minimalist precision and handmade beauty, with a strong emphasis on natural materials.
- Collectible Design & Art blurs the line between function and expression, featuring one-off pieces that wouldn’t look out of place in either a gallery or a living room.
- Materials First, from Chris Lefteri, offers an interactive exploration that focuses on the role of materials in design, encouraging designers to think critically about their material choices.
Forums: Engaging Minds and Shaping Futures
Design Shanghai 2025 hosts three major conferences that serve as platforms for thought leadership and industry dialogue:
- Global Design Conference: With the theme “Design for Humanity,” this conference brings together over 200 design visionaries to discuss how design can address human needs and societal challenges.
- CMF (Colour, Material, Finish) Conference: This forum delves into the latest trends in color, materials, and finishes, providing insights into how these elements influence design outcomes.
- Design for Wellbeing Conference: Focusing on the intersection of design and health, this conference explores how design can contribute to physical and mental well-being.
A Gathering of Global Design Leaders
Design Shanghai 2025 is expected to attract over 80,000 professional visitors, including architects, interior designers, real estate developers, retailers, and private buyers. With participants from more than 30 countries and regions, the event serves as a global platform for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.
Design Shanghai 2025 is a Human-Centric Vision for the Future, an exhibition; it’s a movement towards design that prioritizes human experience, sustainability, and cultural integration.
For more information and to experience the future of design firsthand, visit Design Shanghai.
