From May 22 to May 26, Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) made an impressive showcase of its design education achievements at the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF). Its immersive exhibition at Booth 16C01 of Hall 16, themed “Design Symbiosis”, presenting a cultural feast blending technology and humanities.

The exhibition booth of SZTU [Photo/School of Design and Innovation]

The exhibition not only displayed innovative outcomes in SZTU’s design education but also served as an experimental space for “interdisciplinary thinking”. Each exhibit aimed to break down disciplinary barriers, redefine design boundaries, and reshape the concept of design itself. Organized around three core topics – “Technology and Humanities in Symbiosis”, “City and Nature in Symbiosis”, and “Tradition and Future in Symbiosis” – the exhibition featured 26 outstanding works and research projects by students and teachers from SZTU. It also highlighted three major innovative initiatives: the “Sustainable Innovation - Co-building Gardens” project, the Future Mobility - BYD Talent Class, and the Rural Revitalization – SZTU’s Actions on “High-quality Development Project for Guangdong Counties, Towns, and Villages”.

The display of SZTU’s design education achievements [Photo/School of Design and Innovation]

Besides, a new achievement in digital technology developed jointly by Topchange Digital (a subsidiary of Shenzhen Media Group) and SZTU was unveiled at the fair. It’s a campus digital twin model utilizing cutting-edge 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) technology, which dynamically constructs 3D scenes by millions of Gaussian ellipsoids, achieving photorealistic ultra-high-definition modeling. Visitors could immerse themselves in a virtual campus tour via VR devices and experience future education scenarios blending the virtual and the real, which is an exploration of a new paradigm for smart campus development.

The visitors experience the virtual campus tour at the booth of Shenzhen Media Group. [Photo/Shenzhen Media Group]

On the afternoon, deans of design schools from across the Greater Bay Area gathered at ICIF for a seminar titled “Future Design Education: Innovation and Practice in the AI Era”. The panel of speakers included: Zhao Lu, deputy director of the Graphic Design Art Committee, China Artists Association; Wang Fangliang, former deputy director of the Division of Arts, Shenzhen University; Thomas Kvan, dean of the School of Design, Southern University of Science and Technology; Huo Yuda, dean of the School of Design and Innovation, SZTU; Qiu Xinxian, distinguished dean of the Shenzhen International School of Design, Harbin Institute of Technology; and Gao Peng, dean of the School of Future Design, Beijing Normal University. They discussed innovative pathways for design education to embrace the future of technological transformation.

The speakers discuss future design education at the seminar. [Photo/School of Design and Innovation]

Guided by the “Design Symbiosis” philosophy, SZTU is continuously expanding the boundaries of design education and adding new vitality to the high-quality development of creative industries.

Drafted by Olivia（赖丽伟）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department

Revised by Brian（郑斌）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department

Edited by Brian（郑斌）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department