On September 5th of 2013, under the theme of “Design Inspires Dream”, Shanghai Design Week 2013 was opened in the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. More than 30 activities will be organized to show the energy and diversity of Shanghai design eco system in the main venue, as well as more creative parks in the city.

As one of the highlights, each year, the event awards “People of the Year”, “Product of the year”, and “Brand of the Year”, as the reflection of Shanghai’s design development of that year. Prof.Yrjö Sotamaa, the Executive Vice Director of Sino Finnish Centre of Tongji University and Professor of Aalto University was awarded as one of the three “People of the Year” in 2013, and he was also the only person from the academic society who got this award.

Since 2010, Shanghai joined the UNESCO “Creative City network”. As one of the cities of design, “Shanghai Design Week” has gone through three years of history. Tongji University is one of the main partners of the event. Prof. LOU Yongqi, Dean of the College of Design & Innovation and Executive Vice Director of Sino Finnish Centre of Tongji University was the Academic Director of event and Chief Curator of the Exhibition this year.