Guizhou Industrial Design City raises bar as province scales up ambitions

Industrial design in Guizhou province was almost non-existent two years ago, and most design talents left the province for opportunities elsewhere.

More than 20 design enterprises have now settled in Yunyan district, with hundreds of designers choosing to base themselves in Guiyang. Guizhou's design industry is now stepping onto the international stage.

Industrial designer Jie Tun speaks during a public training session. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

As Guangdong-Guizhou collaboration advanced in 2024, a Guiyang investment promotion team paid an inspection visit to Guangdong and witnessed how industrial design has been strongly driving industrial upgrading.

Since then, this has been identified as a key measure for Guiyang to shore up weaknesses in its manufacturing sector and advance industrial transformation.

It was at this time that Jie Tun, who had long been engaged in industrial design in Guangdong, took on the important task and headed to Guiyang to lead the development and operation of the Guizhou Industrial Design City. 

"Before setting off, I looked up a wide range of materials about Guiyang, and gained an in-depth understanding of the city's cultural heritage and industrial development," said Jie.

Jie traveled across all of the province's 88 counties. "I realized that what Guizhou truly lacks is not quality products, but outstanding design that makes good products seen and loved."

Jie introduces international designers to local players and their works. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

Drawing on the industrial resources accumulated in Guangdong, Jie led his team to introduce several top domestic design institutions, including Eastreme and Milon Design to Guizhou.

They organized public welfare training sessions to spread design concepts and arranged for designers to visit over 40 industrial parks across the province, delivering tailored services for each enterprise.

To date, 34 works from Guizhou Industrial Design City have been showcased in Milan, Italy, and over 50 design projects have been implemented locally.