Hands-on at Design Shanghai

Design Shanghai 2013 opens at the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai on Dec. 3, 2013. (Xinhua)

Design Shanghai 2013 opens at the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai on Dec. 3, 2013. (Xinhua)

An international art design exhibition is underway in Shanghai. In addition to displaying all kinds of innovative ideas, Design Shanghai also allows visitors to work with professional designers and students on projects.

Built with just paper and boards, this temporary structure is a joint effort by art students from Shanghai University and the University of Auckland in New Zealand. The instructor, Prof. Derrick Cherrie from University of Auckland, who designed the artwork, says it was inspired by a devastating earthquake in Auckland nearly three years ago.

Cherrie and his students' work is among nearly 100 pieces on display that have been created by both Chinese art students and their foreign counterparts. One visitor says the cooperation is good for everyone.

"I think it's a good education to both sides. So it's cultural exchange, always important for the whole world and for living together and learning from each other," said German visitor Svenja Holst-Runge.

Show organizers say visitors are also welcome to be part of the designing process.

"Because at the end of the day, every design goes into the market. Designers must understand the need from market, life and people," said Jin Jiangbo, organizer of Design Shanghai 2013. "We bring some projects here not only to display but also to collect public opinions. We are asking for the visitors' help to give us suggestions on how to make the design feasible in daily life and meet people's need."

Jin says they've already collected 50,000 ideas from car owners about how to make their cars more comfortable, and the three best ideas are on display at the show. One Czech automobile maker says it may use some of the ideas in its cars.

The exhibition will run until the end of March.