Press Conference of Future Design Center Successfully Held in Beijing with Future Design Seed Fund and MFA Program Recruitment Launched

On October 15, 2020, the press conference of Beijing Normal University Future Design Center was held at Yingdong Conference Hall of Beijing Normal University.

Photo of the Press Conference

At the press conference, Wang Shoujun, Vice President of Beijing Normal University (BNU) introduced the Future Design Center (FDC) and Future Design School (FDS) (in preparation) at Zhuhai Campus, and officially launched the Future Design Seed Fund. Gao Peng, Director of FDC and FDS, then introduced the discipline framework of FDC and its MFA program. Leading professionals including Tan Ping, Wang Min, Xu Ping, Tony Brown, Li Qi, Tim Yip attended the press conference and were appointed with positions of the FDC academic committee. Chinese renowned enterprises, Haier and Lenovo, were granted as BNU Enterprise Tutorial Base with the witness of enterprise representatives. A cooperative agreement of building global database for designers with Domus China was also signed at the press conference. Gao Peng signed a cooperative agreement with Xu Hao, Secretary-General of 2020 Dubai Expo China Pavilion Global Promotion Committee of Chinese Tea Culture (Tea Industry), launching the project of “Future Living Space” of 2020 Dubai Expo China Pavilion. Sun Hongpei, BNU Vice Chairperson of the University Council awarded the Certificate of Appointment to enterprise representatives.

Photo of Vice President Wang Shoujun

Photo of Vice President Wang Shoujun

Photo of Chair of FDC Academic Committee Tan Ping

Photo of Vice Chairperson of the University Council Sun Hongpei awarding the Certificate of Appointment
 

The "Future Design Seed Fund" launched at the press conference is designed to support 10-15 design projects, with funding ranging from RMB 500,000-2,000,000 yuan for each project. By fostering innovative design talents with a strong sense of responsibility as well as scientific and professional knowledge, the seed fund aims to promote the participation of teachers and students in experimental cooperation of innovative design, incubating future-oriented teaching teams.

In September, 2020, BNU Zhuhai officially announced the admission of MFA Program (Part-time) for the Year 2021 Master of Arts, with the estimated enrollment of 30 students. This Program is jointly conducted by BNU School of Arts & Communication and Future Design School (in preparation) with a 3-year cultivation term. Courses will be instructed at both Beijing and Zhuhai campuses, combining teaching resources within a mobile classroom mode. The scholarship and overseas exchange grant of the MFA program will also cover 50% program students.

Group Photo

Future Design Center is a research-based center established in November, 2019, and it carries out the preparation for the establishment of Future Design School estimated in early 2021.