The 2025 World Design Capital Conference will be grandly held in Shanghai from September 25 to 28. This conference coincides with the 15th anniversary of Shanghai’s designation as a UNESCO “City of Design” in 2010. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the conference is jointly hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and UNESCO. The main venue is located at 689 Jumen Road in Huangpu District, with concurrent events held across Shanghai and multiple overseas locations. The theme is “Design Without Borders, Endless Vitality.”
Diverse Structure
The conference unfolds through a rich “12255+X” content framework. “1” represents the opening ceremony. “2 Major Exhibition Layouts” encompass the main venue and overseas exhibitions. The Shanghai main venue spans approximately 15,000 square meters, featuring nearly 500 brands and over 3,000 exhibits. International brands account for about 20%, while emerging brands constitute roughly 60%. Eco-design themed exhibition zones will be constructed using green and low-carbon methods. “2 thematic forums” comprise the International Design Forum of 100 and the Global Creative Cities Design Forum. “5 specialized forums across design domains” cover industrial, architectural, fashion, digital, and service design. “5 industrial ecosystem sessions” will host over 20 events focused on supply-demand matching and investment promotion. Additionally, X citywide and overseas collaborative events will be held. Presidents of international design organizations, deans of top design institutions, design masters, and representatives from Creative Cities will gather to share cutting-edge design trends and exchange experiences in building “Design Capitals.”
Highlights
The Shanghai main exhibition comprises the main pavilion, the Shanghai Design 100+ Global Competition Special Exhibition, and an outdoor creative market. The Shanghai Design 100+ Global Competition Special Exhibition has unveiled its TOP300 exhibits, organized into sections such as Design Empowering Industry, Enriching Life (Fashion/Culture, Smart/Health), Serving Cities, and Envisioning the Future. It showcases achievements across multiple fields including new energy vehicles, fashion apparel, smart home appliances, architectural design, and AI design software, while creating a “Design Fantasy Realm.” The conference also features multiple signature events, including the inaugural “Design Night”; the newly launched U35 Young Design Talent Program; and the 2025 “Shanghai Design 100+” Global Competition, which presents four annual awards including the AI Innovation Design Award. The public can participate in voting and have the chance to win a new energy vehicle.
The 2025 World Design Capital Conference integrates global resources through a multi-faceted framework, building a platform for exchange and collaboration with diverse exhibits and signature events. It showcases the achievements of Shanghai’s design industry while injecting new vitality into the global design sphere. This initiative will further advance the deep integration of design with industry, daily life, and urban development, helping to realize the vision of “Design Without Borders, Endless Vitality” and providing practical insights for the development of “Creative Cities” worldwide.
