Lecture Review | Design Thinking Beyond Form

On April 2, 2024, Professor Fang Xiaofeng, Vice Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Decoration, was invited to visit our university. He delivered a special lecture titled "Design Thinking Beyond Form" at the 420 Spark Lecture Hall of the School of Design and Innovation. The lecture was hosted by Professor Huo Yuda, Dean of the School of Design and Innovation at Shenzhen Technology University, and the venue was packed with an enthusiastic audience.

At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Huo Yuda warmly welcomed Professor Fang Xiaofeng on behalf of the college and provided a brief introduction to Professor Fang and his academic achievements.

Subsequently, Professor Fang Xiaofeng delved into numerous design cases, analyzing the existing issues in the current development of the discipline and introducing the evaluation standards for contemporary domestic design. Professor Fang emphasized that while form is an endpoint in design, it is not the entirety. The values behind the form and the methods of realizing them are what designers should focus on more. Life itself should always be the primary concern of design. The rapid development of the real world continuously reshapes the definition of design, requiring us to redefine design thinking. In design research and practice, it is more advisable to replace formal aesthetics with environmental aesthetics and to innovate relationships rather than merely elements.

Professor Fang's lecture sparked deep reflections among the faculty and students on the essence of design and the cultivation of design thinking, as well as stimulating extensive discussions on the value and pathways of design. The interactive session was lively, and Professor Fang patiently and meticulously addressed the questions and confusions raised by the audience.

On the morning of April 3, Dean Huo Yuda led Professor Fang Xiaofeng on a tour of the college's laboratories, where they exchanged ideas on laboratory development. Later, a "Design Thinking and Design Education Seminar" was held in the college's Room 636. The seminar featured in-depth discussions on topics such as the construction and development of the design discipline, the relationship between research and education, and the methods and pathways of design studies.

This lecture and exchange with Professor Fang Xiaofeng not only provided a rare learning opportunity for the faculty and students but also deepened their understanding and insights into the field of design. In the future, our college will continue to focus on academic frontiers, strengthen design education, innovate design thinking, and cultivate more design talents with innovative awareness and practical capabilities, while carrying forward the legacy of design culture.