Making Matters China Design Challenge_Infographic of winning projects

Following the winners announcement of Making Matters, China Design Challenge, the British Council has organised a series of miniature showcases in Shanghai and Manchester. Under the theme of “Fall in love with the future through circular design”, the Challenge aims to explore how the principles of a circular economy can be a catalyst for creativity, collaboration and regenerative thinking within architecture, design and fashion practice through its multi-disciplinary programme. The Challenge also recognises young creative talents by facilitating an exchange of dialogue around circular design. Launched in 2021 for Chinese university students in Mainland China and the UK, the Challenge is www.britishcouncil.org 3 

a part of the global initiative of Making Matters, sponsored by IM Motors and co-developed by Manchester Metropolitan University and Young Green Tech. 

Circular design involves the elimination of waste and pollution at source through designs, promoting the revival of nature via recycling products and materials. The 14 selected finalists were offered knowledge-buildings activities, tutorials, and workshops with professional advice to refine and develop their ideas and proposals from the last 10 months. The robust group of finalists gathers talents from different specialties, including industrial design, engineering, business management as well as education and computer science, who come from Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Royal Academy of Arts (UK) and other universities across China and beyond. 

The judging panel is comprised of a group of esteemed professionals and scholars from China and the United Kingdom, including FAN Chuan, Project Manager for Learning and Design, Ellen McArthur Foundation; FENG Yi’an, Designer of Colour, Material and Perception, IM Motors; Sarah MORIARTY, Design Educator, Member of the Product Design Team, Manchester School of Art; Lucy SIEGLE, Journalist, the Guardian and Chair, the Real Circularity Coalition; and WANG Xi, Founder, VLOOP. The winners were judged based on five key criteria including social impact, communication skill, critical thinking, innovation, as well as achievement and improvement. 

“We received a diverse array of project submissions for this challenge. The students’ passion and commitment are evidenced through the strong insights and detailed thoughts in their circular design projects. They have also made significant progress in refining and developing their projects in the last 10 months. We are excited to see what lies ahead for these students,” commented the judging panel.