International design thinking hub: third Red Dot Design Museum opened in Xiamen
Winning a Red Dot is the well-earned recognition for high design quality. The laureates benefit from exclusive opportunities to communicate their success. Among others, the prize-winning products, communication designs, design concepts and prototypes are presented in exhibitions around the globe, including at the Red Dot Design Museums. Following the venues in Essen, Germany, and Singapore, the third Red Dot Design Museum opened its doors in Xiamen, China, on Saturday, 3 November 2018.
Successful museum opening
The Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen was opened in Terminal 2 of Xiamen Gaoqi Airport. During the opening event, Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and CEO of the Red Dot Award, welcomed the guests with some introductory words. Afterwards, Vito Oražem, Vice President of Red Dot, invited the guests of honour to go on a guided tour of the new museum with him. The around 200 guests celebrated the opening of the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen during a glittering party at night.
Museum meets airport
The new venue is situated in the rebuilt Terminal 2 of Xiamen Gaoqi Airport, covering an area of 10,000 square meters. It is mainly composed of an exhibition space, the co-working space “Space”, a design school and a design library. Spreading two floors, the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen covers 4,500 square meters of exhibition area, featuring Red Dot award-winning designs from across the globe. What makes the latest Red Dot exhibition space so special is the fact that it is the only Red Dot Design Museum that unites prize-winning designs from all three competitions of the Red Dot Award, namely from the Red Dot Award: Product Design, Red Dot Award: Communication Design and Red Dot Award: Design Concept.
“The Form of Success”
The Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen depicts the links between design and society, products and aesthetics, brand and consumer. On 2,000 square meters, the first of the three regular exhibition halls is dedicated to the “Form of Success – Design as a Corporate Strategy”. By using design concepts, products and best practices of successful enterprises, it explains how companies can use the power of design in a simple and effective manner to take advantage for their business. The exhibition brings together nearly 600 works from 400 brands from around the world.
“The Elements of Design”
In the second exhibition hall, “The Elements of Design” focuses on contemporary Chinese design. The presentation explores how to find inspiration from daily life and culture so as to create excellent products. It is built around the four topics of “Commute”, “Dwell”, “Rest and Mindfulness”, and “Zen”, which are illustrated with the help of works and products from China.
“A World View”
The third exhibition hall thematises “A World View”. As aircraft has always extended people’s imagination of the world, China's well-preserved first-generation civil aviation cabin serves as an exhibition space for various pioneering technologies. The first “A World View” exhibition partners with SKYPIXEL to share the compelling photos taken by the manufacturer’s drone.
Three additional special exhibitions
Moreover, each year, the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen present the latest Red Dot award-winning designs in three special exhibitions, for product design, communication design and design concepts. Furthermore, it will also highlight trends from design, material and market, and will also host multi-disciplinary exhibitions.
Design school
On the second floor of the museum building, the design school is located. It brings together members of the Red Dot Jury and successful global brands. Creative workers, city administrators, industry mentors, corporate managers and professional designers can access the “online course – Master’s open class” and “offline course – design workshops”. The design academy aims to boost urban innovation as well as industrial upgrading and to facilitate corporate transformation and talent promotion. It also offers guided tours of the exhibition, public outreach and education courses, global designer exchange programmes and much more, aiming to build an innovative and influential creative design community in China.
Co-working at the “Space”
The “Space” turns 1,000 square meters into a comfortable and creative space for creative workers and tourists. It features a design library that brings together global design materials and a Red Dot winning entries query system. Over 300 award-winning objects can be used by the visitors during work and leisure time, so that they can personally experience the changes they bring to their lives.
Besides the salon with office furniture, a semi-open discussion room, recreation and video conferencing rooms complement the service. Furthermore, a tool kit area and photo studio are also provided for design professionals. The users can complete their tasks independently, or share information, knowledge and ideas with others so that they can build up their contacts in the creative community. Pop-up stores are built for independent designers, serving as an incubator for young designers.
Intensifying design exchange
The Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen presents top-level design and aims to initiate forward-looking discussions and explorations on design trends, and public education projects. It provides professional support as well as a cooperation platform for design practitioners. By blending good design into society, the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen enhances public awareness and participation in design.
Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 a.m. – 18.00 p.m.
Address:
Former Terminal 2
Xiamen Gaoqi Airport
Xiamen, China