“More need to find the roots of design as we become more globalized…”
Invited by School of Design, Special Seminar at the Yeungnam University Museum Auditorium on the 8th at 10am
[2008-10-7]
“As we enter an information society, the importance of design is growing every day. In particular, due to the rising importance of contents linked with industries, design has become a key element in national competitiveness and it also acts as an index that shows the society's cultural level. Furthermore, it is at the forefront of globalization. However, the more we become globalized, the more it is important to have designs rooted in history and tradition and design that has a cultural identity to become competitive. Therefore, designers must not forget that they are masters of finding their unique cultures and roots, which are then visualized by the designer.
Wu Guan-ying (吳冠英, 53, photo), who is the designer of the Beijing Olympics mascot and a professor at the Tsinghua University Art School, visited Yeungnam University on the 7th. Wu visited Yeungnam University at the request of the Yeungnam University School of Design (dean Kim Hae-tae) to speak at the University Museum auditorium on the 8th at 10am.
Wu played a central role in upgrading Chinese culture and design through the Olympics. While preparing for the lecture, Wu spoke about the many trial and errors, and what Wu learned while designing the Beijing Olympic mascot.
Wu stated, "I cannot even begin to count how many pictures I drew since April of 2004. I did thousands of rough drawings and thousands of touch-ups. In result, I was able to introduce the official mascot, Fuwa and the mascot of the Paralympics, Funiu, to the world on November 11, 2005, 1,000 days before the olympics. Wu emphasized that the most energy spent while designing the mascots was 'globalization of something Chinese'.
According to Wu, 'Puwa', which means 'five blessings are coming', originated from the old Chinese belief of the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth). This symbolizes the traditional culture of China, while at the same time symbolizing the Olympic spirit through the harmony of the Olympic rings with numbers and colors. Wu explains that Fuwa was a recreation of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization in a modern design. Funiu, the mascot of the Paralympics, also symbolizes the auspicious signs culture of China. To the Chinese, the ox is an animal that symbolizes blessing, happiness and health.
Kim Hae-tae, dean of the Yeungnam University Design Department stated, "It has only been 30 years since China began to make modern designs, but they are developing at a frightening speed. In a time where culture is more important than ever, China is developing their traditions into various contents, which we should pay careful attention to."
Wu is currently preparing an animation work for children. The subject of the animation is a Chinese legend. He again emphasized, "I once again realized how important it is to be a bit stubborn about our own character during the production process," and added "rather than just moving a tradition from one place to another, designers of today must find the meanings inside of unique cultures and fill it with our sentiments and spirit."
