GRADO ON-TOUR: DESIGN SHANGHAI JUNE 2024, Rather Relabel Designer Series

Design Shanghai 2024 points to the decompositions of the core creativity of each masterpiece even further than Design Shenzhen 2024 through refined hall exhibitions: Hall 1 displays Furniture and Lighting, featuring Thomas Heatherwick's designs and high-end brands in a diverse range of innovative furniture and lighting. Hall 2 focuses on Kitchen and Bathroom designs, highlighting top exhibitors and presenting the latest trends in architectural technologies. Hall 3 houses Living & Lifestyle creations, merging Eastern and Western influences with soft furnishings, fragrances, and top-quality products. Hall 4, a newcomer introduced this year, centers around New Materials and Applications explorations, showcasing cutting-edge material solutions.

The event prioritizes nurturing creativity, with new designer creations set to elevate the platform, offering captivating experiences and fostering collaborations. As Design Shanghai has evolved significantly, the upcoming 2024 edition is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors, emphasizing a harmonious blend of global design philosophies and innovative advancements across four dynamic halls. Upon invitation, GRADO will present a strong line-up of innovative creations including the Locus Chair, Fly Lounge Chair, Venerdi Lounge Chair, and Bento Sofa co-crafted with renowned designers worldwide.

GRADO_SAND TABLE_OFFICE SPACE LAYOUT_DESIGN SHANGHAI

— YINGJIE LEUNG X GRADOCONTRACT_LOCUS —

DESIGN SH 2024 EXHIBIT_LOCUS BY YINGJIE LEUNG

Yingjie Leung, a furniture product designer and the founder of YINJIE DESIGN STUDIO, graduated with a master's degree from the School of Design at Aalto University, Finland, and participated in an exchange program at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts.  Having established a personal design studio in Helsinki, Yingjie has exhibited work in Sweden, Finland, and the United States.  The core design principle of Ying's work is influenced by the ancient Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu, focusing on adapting to material characteristics, respecting the physical logic of structure, and allowing the design to manifest within its inherent self.

The LOCUS Chair is a cohesive piece that exemplifies the meticulous approach of Yingjie Leung in co-curating this remarkable furniture.  GRADO recognized a metal leather chair exhibited remotely by Yingjie, which led to a design invitation and a subsequent collaboration.  The naming of the Locus Chair derives from the English word "location," signifying the place that unveils objects or serves as a focal point towards which actions or activities are directed.

The core challenge lay in designing a commercial leisure chair that builds upon the typical prototype of a metal frame chair.  By starting with structural logic, Yingjie sought to find breakthroughs in form.  The initial step was to deviate from the rigid square metal outer frame and introduce an armrest part that forms an identifiable metal frame, serving as a reliable fulcrum for support when a person stands up.  Additionally, specialized D-shaped short tubes at both sides became the connecting parts between the frame and the entity, while the bottom structural plate of the entity protruded in a cantilevered manner beyond the frame outline, creating a sense of lightness and visual interest.

This transition involved meticulous adjustments in design language and metal bending radii, ensuring a seamless shift from being suitable for civil and office use to being solely intended for office use. The craftsmen meticulously scrutinized the details until the product presented reflected its natural state.  GRADO's vision was clear—rather than seeking attention through dominating style designs, the furniture pieces should serve as indispensable elements in creating space, embodying an overall sense of harmony and functionality.

— Designschneider X GRADOCONTRACT_BENTO —

DESIGN SH 2024 EXHIBIT_BENTO SOFA BY Designschneider

The BENTO sofa is a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic Bauhaus design from Germany, featuring a minimalist steel frame, clear geometric shapes, straight lines, and balanced proportions.  Its elegant steel support provides a spacious seating area that appears to float above the ground, while the comfortable seat cushions enhance its timeless and exquisite aesthetic. This versatile sofa series, the first collection designed by Designschneider for GRADO, offers various configurations, including armchairs, and two-seater, or three-seater sofas, suitable for independent use or combination.  The BENTO series is designed for diverse environments, from private homes to public spaces such as corporate lounges and hotel lobbies.

— WENG XINYU X GRADOCONTRACT_VENERDI LOUNGE CHAIR —

DESIGN SH 2024 EXHIBIT_VENERDI LOUNGE CHAIR BY YUUE

The Venerdi Lounge Chair, a product of YUUE, is a seating solution that emphasizes ergonomic design and unique angular lines, showcasing a crisp and distinct appearance. Its design, derived from YUUE's interpretation of contemporary aesthetics, emphasizes the perfect balance between comfort and a lightweight feel. Whether in home relaxation areas, office rest corners, or business meeting spaces, the Venerdi Lounge Chair provides users with a distinct and pleasantly surprising experience. YUUE, established in 2015 and located in Berlin, is a product design studio operated by Weng Xinyu, a German-Chinese designer. YUUE's work has received numerous prestigious awards and nominations, reflecting its commitment to sustainable design, fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics, and exploration of the infinite possibilities of contemporary design and future living.

— HANSON DONG X GRADOCONTRACT_FLY LOUNGE CHAIR —

DESIGN SH 2024 EXHIBIT_FLY LOUNGE CHAIR BY HANSON DONG

The Fly Lounge Chair, designed by Hanson Dong, embodies a vision of a lightweight shell and a soft, comfortable interior, skillfully combining sleek design with functionality.  Characterized by a simple and elegant design, the chair's curved lines cleverly merge form and function, with its outward-flipping armrests resembling graceful, flowing wings.  The chair's construction using integral foaming technology ensures a uniform appearance, and the independent seat cushion can be equipped with a low-density sponge for a soft seating experience.  With its minimal yet elegant design, the FLY chair is highly versatile and adds a touch of grace to both residential and public spaces.

Hanson Dong has led a design team to collaborate with numerous domestic and international brands, creating over 400 outstanding works spanning various fields such as furniture, products, automotive, spatial design, branding, and animation. His works have received multiple prestigious design awards including the Red Dot Design Award and IF Design Award in Germany, the International Design Awards (IDA) in the United States, the Outstanding Property Award in London, the A' Design Award in Italy, the Best of Year Awards in Interior Design in the United States, the Gold Prize at the Asia Design Awards, the Jin Teng Award, the Crystal Kylin Award, the Gold Idea Design Award for Furniture Design in China, and the Red Star Design Award in China, among more than thirty recognized domestic and international design accolades.