new member | school of design at the southern university of science and technology (SUSTech) (china)

07.02.2025 Announcements

ICoD is pleased to announce New Member School of Design at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) (China) a multi-disciplinary school with international faculty whose unique vision is to foster interdisciplinary integration and the development of co-learning with design enterprises to: "break down the 'walls' between classrooms, labs, industry and society."

ABOUT

Established in April 2020, the School of Design at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is known for its innovative education and draws on the strengths of this vibrant university, namely its depth in research, its vigor for innovation and entrepreneurship, and its disciplinary diversity. Enhanced by the resources in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area, the School engages closely with the industry to establish a robust and structured collaboration that fosters and realises design for the greater common good.  The founding dean is Prof. Thomas KVAN, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne.

Students in discussion with industry experts at the DS224 Client Product Design midterm review  

Poster for end of year course DS204

FACULTY AND PROGRAMMES

Currently, the School of Design has built up a multi-disciplinary and international faculty of 17 people. They are from different countries, such as China, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy and South Korea, and from diverse academic backgrounds, such as industrial design, interaction design, architectural design, mathematics, structure and material, sound, philosophy, and sociology. The School delivers research achievements that include patents, publications, commercial designs, cultural works and exhibitions, in contribution to the future of industry and society by transferring cutting-edge science and technology through design research and practice.

Students with Aija from TU-Delft at an AI workshop as part of the AI Design Summer School at SUSTech 

DS313 Sound and Senses Installation

Offering degree programs at the bachelor, master and PhD levels, the School holds high standards in education by engaging frontier research and industrial exploration. The faculty members develop co-learning with design enterprises to break down the “walls” between classrooms, labs, industry and society. Taking full advantage of the resources of the research university, the city and the Greater Bay region, the School equips the students with capabilities to study in China and across the world, to be prepared for future work environment, and be competent to build our futures.

Virtual Reality Research Group led by JE Seungwoo

Assistant Professor Mirna Zordan wearing a smart helmet prototype designed by a student 

Global Collaborative Design Programme with Sungshin University

The School features “studio teaching”, committed to enhancing students’ creative thinking, critical thinking and innovative abilities. Working with the students’ own ideas and initiatives, the teaching at the School cultivates the capacities to propose, test and discuss ideas, engage in interdisciplinary cross-boundary design, enhance mind/hand integration, enrich systematic thinking and construct individual knowledge to design for the real world.

International graduate students attending the Scalable HCI Symposium

End of year Exhibition 2023

SUSTech student Masters Research on Domestic Ecology

VISION

The School of Design distinguishes itself with a focus on design-driven innovation with command of science and technology. It strives to propel industrial upgrading through research and meet the market demand of high-caliber designers through innovative education. The School features disciplinary integration; equally values excellent output in education, research, exhibition and technology transfer. It aims to become the cradle of innovative and creative talents, a base of knowledge transfer and a high-level think tank for the Greater Bay Area. The School is committed to the country’s advocacy for the great power of quality by making efforts to enhance the internationalisation and global impact of Shenzhen being “a City for innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity.”, and better serve the goals of China to advance from made in China to designed in China, from China speed to China quality, and from Chinese product to Chinese brand.

LINKS

ICoD New Member Profile page

School of Design at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Official Website