Design Shanghai, Asia’s leading international design event, successfully concluded its 2026 edition, reaffirming its position as a global platform for creativity, innovation and cross-cultural exchange. Returning to its original venue after six years, over 43,000 visitors flocked to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, including industry professionals, architects, designers and design enthusiasts to experience a compelling showcase of world-class brands, emerging talent and forward-thinking design, marking one of the most ambitious and impactful editions of the show to date.
This year’s edition brought together over 500 brands from 20+ countries and regions across four curated sections. From refined craftsmanship to material innovation, from functionality to aesthetics, the exhibition presented a comprehensive view of contemporary design in its ever-evolving forms.
“Over the past twelve years, we have built a bridge between Eastern and Western design communities, witnessing the growing influence of design. For our 13th edition, returning to our original venue, we brought together over 500 brands and 150 design pioneers from more than 20 countries,” said Zhuo Tan, Show Director of Design Shanghai. “Design Shanghai 2026 united an inspiring community to explore how design shapes the way we live, sparking dialogue between tradition and innovation, from reimagined craftsmanship to sustainable materials. The show highlighted a shared commitment to human-centred design, where quality, cultural identity and harmony with nature become tangible outcomes, reflecting Asia’s growing confidence on the global design stage.”
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- SHANG XIA
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- Wulen Art
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- GUBI
Prominent Chinese design studios and brands such as SHANG XIA, 12h，U+, PUSU, WULEN ART and FNJI demonstrated the growing influence and sophistication of the regional design scene. Collectible design and limited-edition pieces were also a key focus, spotlighted in the Collectible Design & Art exhibit, where brands, studios and artists such as Mingyu Xu Studio, Hugo Design, Zhao Yiqian, RedHouse and Zeto Art’s pieces reflect an increasing demand for craftsmanship-driven work in the Asian market. This curatorial direction was further complemented by a series of artistic installations, created in collaboration with leading designers from China and internationally, and presented throughout the venue to enrich the overall visitor experience. Among the highlights are the large-scale textile installation “Weaving Nature” by Hu Yuehua and the outdoor sculpture “Dreamer” by Zhao Yiqian.
International participation was strong across this year’s show. A key product launch is GUBI’s reintroduction of Tito Agnoli’s 1964 P3 Collection — the P3 Lounge Chair and P3S Chaise Longue — developed with Bonacina 1889 and adapted for outdoor use, retaining its original rattan construction while extending it to contemporary indoor–outdoor contexts. This sits alongside established design pieces such as Philippe Starck’s Juicy Salif citrus squeezer for Alessi, produced in mirror-polished aluminium, and Vetrofuso’s jewellery crafted from hand-worked Murano glass. Additional global brands including Lasvit, Artisan, BD Barcelona, foxx Chair, Reflections Copenhagen, Glas Italia, Villeroy & Boch and LIBHERR selected Design Shanghai to showcase their collections to the Asian market.
The New Materials & Applications section emerged as one of the most dynamic areas of the show. Mapei presented its range of advanced construction chemicals and surface solutions, Tassani its high-end decorative coatings developed through over a century of practice, and Tabu its advanced wood dyeing technologies. In the Living & Lifestyle section, exhibitors such as Dedar, Baobab Collection, Jaipur Rugs and C&C Milano presented a refined mix of homeware, textiles and accessories, with an emphasis on artisanal production and cultural storytelling.
A major highlight of the 2026 edition was its comprehensive talks programme. Featuring over 150 speakers, the programme included keynote presentations, panel discussions and case studies from internationally acclaimed designers, architects, and creative leaders including Marcel Wanders, Michael Pawlyn, Qi Shanshan, Satoshi Ohashi, Zhuang Ziyu and Wu Bin. Topics ranged from the future of urban living and AI in design to heritage craft revival and design for wellbeing.
The show’s features programme was a standout element of the 2026 edition, with a clear focus on emerging talent and cultural heritage. The TALENTS section once again provided an important platform for the next generation of designers from China and beyond, responding to this year’s theme, “About Time”. The TALENTS Awards 2026 recognised outstanding contributors, with Hong ZhangLiang receiving Best Artistic Product Design, Trigram awarded the Media’s Favorite Award, Best Commercial Product Design was awarded to Air Sketch and the Best Experimental Product Design was presented to Friedrich Gerlach. Celebrating designers under 35, the awards spotlight a new wave of talent driving innovation and sustainability in contemporary design.
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- TALENTS
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- JDZ Gallery
Beyond Craft 2026 brought together the work of more than twenty brands, including Kyoraku Kougei, Balmuda, HARIO Lampwork Factory, Domyo, and Gallery CAJ, spanning contemporary categories such as jewellery, objects, furniture, precision accessories, and optical installations. The showcase highlighted a rich spectrum of traditional techniques – from Nishijin weaving and gold leaf to lacquerware, washi paper, braiding, ceramics, glass carving, and metal inlay – offering insight into the full creative process, from material selection and structural conception to refined surface finishing. Through the hands of artisans and the vision of artists, including emerging voices like Seiko Yoshimura and studios such as Rennin Atelier and Arakawa, Beyond Craft demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship can be reinterpreted within a contemporary context. The feature ultimately revealed how these time-honoured practices continue to evolve and resonate, bridging heritage and innovation within today’s design culture.
Across the city, Design Shanghai’s Design in the City programme offered an immersive, citywide perspective on the dynamism and breadth of Shanghai’s design community, where exhibition, installation, hospitality and culture converged to reflect the energy and future of Asian design. The strategic citywide initiative activated Shanghai’s creative landscape, extending the show beyond the halls of the exhibition centre. Those following the guide were able to explore over 100 design hotspots, experience more than 20 public design events, and attend one of 15 open studio days. Highlights included stepping into the studios of Nothing Design, as well as visiting leading creative destinations such as Dongliang, Sandriver and SHANG XIA, alongside a diverse mix of showrooms, galleries, and creative spaces.
Since its inception, Design Shanghai has played a pivotal role in connecting Eastern and Western design communities, presenting the best in global design innovation. As this year’s successful edition comes to a close, Design Shanghai looks ahead to 2027 with a continued commitment to fostering creativity, supporting emerging talent and driving forward the global design conversation.
The next edition will take place from 4-7th March 2027.
