China furniture show puts emphasis on design

Visitors to the 3F International Famous Furniture Fair in Dongguan, China, March 16-20 will get to see a new initiative called Chinese Original Design Showcase. As planned, it will feature fresh product designs by more than 30 Chinese designers in about 20,000 square feet.

This concept is intriguing for a number of reasons, the first of which is that it promotes new design ideas from creative thinkers. It also helps American and European buyers to see how the Chinese mind works when it comes to product design. Most importantly, it inspires more Chinese to become designers, and potentially can debunk the idea that Chinese are only good at copying.

Asian-designed furniture is not necessarily new. Filipinos, through their creative use of natural materials, continually come up with creative and innovative designs, as seen each year at the CebuX show. The Singapore Furniture Inds. Council also holds an annual student design competition, the results of which can be seen at the International Furniture Fair Singapore each March. Fresh Asian product designs also can be seen at shows at Manila, Thailand and Indonesia to name a few. Each gives buyers new perspective, leaving them to decide what may or may not work in the U.S. market.

The idea has caught on because it increases the value these countries represent for the U.S. market.

The difference with China is that up to this point it has been associated with mass production and related operational efficiencies, not original product design. But a greater emphasis on design appears to be gaining steam, as evidenced by the new showcase in Dongguan.

The question is whether the designs will be more suited for the domestic China market or for the United States, or both. As always, we want to hear your perspectives. If you attend the Dongguan show this year, drop by the Chinese Original Design Showcase exhibit and please share your thoughts with us when you return.