SHANGHAI-Reed Exhibitions, parent company of 100% Design, is pleased to announce that world-renowned Swiss watchmaker Rado will be the title and main sponsor of Designed in China, the groundbreaking competition launching at this year's 100% Design Shanghai, which will take place at the Shanghai Exhibition Center from October 15 through 17, 2009. The competition will result in the awarding of The Rado Young Design Prize, which will be given to two designers-one student, one young professional-with a plan to bring their winning design to the global marketplace.
Rado, a part of the Swatch Group, has signed on to support the competition in a multi-year sponsorship. They join other supporters including Shanghai-based furniture retailer Design Republic, which is a co-sponsor, and the New York– and Beijing-based non-profit People's Architecture, which is serving as a co-collaborator on the competition.
“The Rado Young Design Prize was conceived with the future of design in mind,” said Rado President Roland Streule. “We seek to actively promote exceptional talent in the field of contemporary design and to contribute in various ways to the education of young designers. As an active design watch brand in China, we want to celebrate materials and shapes still to be invented.” Founded as watch movement company Schlup & Co. in 1917, the company launched its first collection of watches under the Rado brand in 1957 and introduced the world's first scratch-proof watch, the Rado Diastar, in 1962. Over the years, a variety of Rado models have received more than 28 international design distinctions including the iF and Red Dot awards.
Spearheaded by the creative directors of 100% Design Shanghai Tobias Wong and Aric Chen, the Designed in China competition aims to present original works that express China's creative potential in the realm of interior design. It is open to any professional designer or design student of Chinese nationality (including Hong Kong and Macau), who are currently based in Mainland China. The competition closed on April 1, 2009.
All winning designs will be displayed at the exhibition of 100% Design Shanghai 2009. The competition will be juried by a distinguished panel comprised of Yves Béhar, chief designer and founder, fuseproject; Giulio Cappellini; creative director, Cappellini; Rossana Hu, co-founder, Design Republic and Neri & Hu; Jiang Li, professor, School of Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts; Lyndon Neri; co-founder, Design Republic and Neri & Hu; Alasdhair Willis, CEO, Established & Sons; and Shaway Yeh, editorial director, Modern Media Group.
In addition, one (1) winner will be awarded a three-week exhibition and one-year contract to develop a new product through Design Republic, a leading international retailer and manufacturer of contemporary design.
About Rado
In 1983, Rado became part of the SMH group which was renamed the Swatch Group in 1998. Headquartered in Switzerland, Rado currently holds subsidiaries throughout Asia, the EU and the Americas. Setting itself apart from Swiss watchmaking tradition, Rado is known for using unconventional, high-tech resources and designs, and has pioneered the use of a number of unique watchmaking materials, e.g. hardmetal (tungsten- and titanium-carbide), ceramics, lanthanum and sapphire crystal. www.rado.com
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About Reed Exhibitions / 100% Design Shanghai
In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the world by 39 fully staffed offices. 100% Design Shanghai follows in the footsteps of 100% Design London and 100% Design Tokyo as a premiere platform for designers, buyers and specifiers.www.100percentdesign.com.cn
About Design Republic
Founded in 2006, Design Republic is the leading retailer of contemporary design brands in Shanghai. www.thedesignrepublic.com
About People's Architecture
People's Architecture Foundation is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization that seeks to strengthen the relationship between China and the United States by enhancing dialogue, and generating new ideas across the field of architecture, urbanism, arts and culture. www.peoplesarchitecture.org
CONTACTS
Jing Jing Zhang
Reed Exhibitions
Tel: +86 21 5153 5111
Jing.Zhang@reedexpo.com.cn
Grace Zhang
RADO, China
Tel: +86 10 65239135 -194
grace.zhang@bj.cn.swatchgroup.com
Cathay Wang
RADO, China
Tel: +86 21 2412 5389
Cathay.Wang@sh.cn.swatchgroup.com |