From designboom

From the DAFF website

DAFF is Shanghai’s biggest biannual lifestyle community event. Aimed at giving China’s creative leaders and rising talent a platform to interact, share ideas, and promote new projects, the event gives an unprecedented opportunity to connect with and inspire the public at large.

At the previous DAFF in September 2012, more than 80 brands and artists came together with over 5,000 fairgoers for a full day and night of sharing, selling, watching, eating, drinking, and dancing.

This year, DAFF will be extended to a two-day format starting Saturday, May 25^th from 2:00pm to 12:00am and ending on Sunday, May 26^th from 2:00pm to 9:00pm.

Returning to the Wharf 1846 South Bund promenade, this spring’s DAFF will include some major changes as well as regular fixtures such as

-       Fashion shows running both days from local and international designers

-       Live art performances

-       DJs and live bands

-       Interactive installations

-       Workshops

-       A revamped new layout with pop up shops and exhibition booths from hot design, art and fashion brands

-       Delicious food and drinks from artisan chefs

-       Chill out area for eating, socializing, and dancing

As the sun goes down and the Pudong skyline lights up, so does DAFF.  Participants’ pop-up shops, bars, music and live art installations shine on for two full nights in a festive atmosphere.

Hello, My name is Lei Lei A.K.A Ray. I am an independent animation director from China.

When I was 5 or 6 years old, I watched a lot of animation films from Shanghai animation studio on the television.
I have warm memories from watching them. This is where it all started for me.

As an independent animation director, I do not draw a storyboard, write a script, or design animated backgrounds.
My animation style is free. Once I have an idea about the story, I just start drawing, or scan old magazines, or take pictures…
I do some hand drawing work first, and then finish the animation by computer.

When I’m eating noodles, often the ideas begin flowing!

I am doing my new film about my family history. My father and I will make an animated documentary based on my grandfather’s narration.

(I personally have worked on the Xixi project, working with Xu Tiantian on another clubhouse in the same development)

More information on Dezeen.

The multi-use space has a permeable facade which frames views over the river. The fragmented volumes interplay with the forest surroundings whilst also incorporating a sunken garden below.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself, and how you ended up on the road to design.

My name is Wang Sijia and I’m from Heilongjiang Province. After graduating from college in 2009, I moved to Beijing. When I was younger, around 8 years old, I loved to draw and it all stemmed from there. I never thought about design as a career and I just did it at home because I enjoyed it – thats how I learnt and got better. I love to paint and this has followed me throughout my life so far.

How do you like to work?

I like to design what I am doing on a single page, with some small editing, before committing myself to a large mural for instance. In my spare time I often sketch out ideas, and if I like any of them I will carry it on in the evening before starting afresh the next day.

Could you explain your process when painting?

I improvise a lot of my work – less paper planning. I like the feeling of freedom you get from working like this – there are no constraints.

Who or what inspires you?

Its quite simple really, daily life and the internet. The internet has opened my world and allowed me to learn a lot of new things.

You have done a lot of projects for large companies, which are you most proud of?

A while ago I did work for Li Ning (large sportswear company in China) and also I have designed skins for the Audi R8.

What do you think of Chinese design? Do you think Beijing/Shanghai/Shenzhen will ever become well known for design as for example London or New York are?

It is still in the developmental stage. It still needs time. At the current time the system is not perfect (with regards to design education) and their is a lot of disparity in China with a lot of wider ranging issues. At the moment we are still imitating most of the time. Many designers do not have their own style and their work is very similar to those of the West.

All we can do is do a good job ourselves, and work hard to improves ones own style.

Do you think you will remain living in Beijing – is the design scene good for your creativity?

For now, Beijing is great. Theres a lot of opportunity, and if you seek work and collaborations, then you can achieve anything. Beijing is very diversified – you can see a lot of contrasts – and a lot of invisible things. Perhaps I will leave one day though – house prices are too high!

More information on the event here.

RUN! (2012) from Shen Jie on Vimeo.