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Lao Jianhua

Lao Jianhua is a product designer currently living and working in Shanghai, China. After working for several major Chinese design companies, Lao opened his own design studio, J Y DESIGN Shanghai, in 2008. He was the V&A's first international Museum Resident and was at the Museum between November 2008 and April 2009, helping the Museum to celebrate the 2008 Year of China.

Artists in Residence at the V&A

Keep learning and practice

It’s been a great experience to be HSBC Designer in Residence at the V&A. I learned a lot from the varied collections in the V&A and other museums in London. It makes me...

null Lao Jianhua
Artists in Residence at the V&A

Concept tube train for London

Every day I have to take the London Underground train (the Tube) from my flat to the Museum. But it’s so crowded in rush hour, especially the Piccadilly line and Central...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Compact products for a simple life

Nowadays we are living in a fast-paced world where speed and convenience are increasingly important. With high-tech developments it’s easy to travel and communicate. Cities are...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Design in China seminar

BackgroundChina is developing very quickly. People in the UK are very familiar with the ‘Made in China’ label on many goods. But what about product design in China?Many...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Public bench

This idea was inspired by bad manners that I saw in a public park. Sometimes people sleep on the benches in parks and I think this is really bad manners! I think that to prevent...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

DesignLab: Product Design Workshop

We ran two very interesting workshops for schools during March. Students from Norwood School and Langdon Park School were given the brief to design a lamp inspired by an object...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

The Barbican Art Gallery

Last Sunday I visited the Barbican Art Gallery and the exhibition ‘The Art of Architecture of Le Corbusier’, about the work of the architect Le Corbusier. The Barbican Centre...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Responses to the “Clever Design Solutions” group

Our flickr group is growing really fast and with fantastic contributions. Here, some of my...

null Lao Jianhua
Artists in Residence at the V&A

DIY Pin clock

This is a re-design project. I like natural materials because their various properties, such as texture, give them their own character. Take for example wood. It needs time to...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Clever Design Solutions V&A Flickr Group

The V&A has setup a new Flickr Group called ‘Clever Design Solutions’ and I’ve been asked to periodically select and review some of the designs here on my blog. It’s...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Ya stool and stool bookshelf and screen

When I first saw these shelves at the British Gallery (level 4), I liked it very much. It has the same sort of feeling that I think Chinese characters have. It’s like a piece of...

null Lao Jianhua
Artists in Residence at the V&A

Design Your Life workshop

My Design Your Life workshop was the first one that I’ve run at the V&A. The DYL programme had three workshops, all attended by same group of kids. My workshop was about...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Fu lantern

Chinese people hang red lanterns in Chinese New Year to celebrate the Spring Festival. When these big red lanterns are hanging up, we feel particularly pleased. It helps to make...

null Lao Jianhua
Artists in Residence at the V&A

Chopsticks

Chopsticks have existed for thousands of years. They have a distinguished design, simple and elegant. However, they are difficult to use at first, even for Chinese people. We need...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Calligraphy jewellery

I designed this calligraphy jewellery almost by chance. Whenever I cut plastic using a heated saw, I get some waste pieces. Because the saw is hot, these waste pieces melt...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Fortune Boat Workshop

Last Friday evening we also had a workshop where we folded fortune boats with New Year’s wishes inside. Around 400 visitors came that night so our staff was quite busy. But it...

null Lao Jianhua
Artists in Residence at the V&A

Crafted in Food Workshop

Last Friday evening we had a workshop about using food to design. When I was young in China, my parents used flour to make toys on New Year as gifts for kids. We were poor at that...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

China in London – The Year of the Ox

I noticed today that there are lots of posters about China in London 2009 up in the tube stations. It’s so exciting. The poster design is very traditional and beautiful - I like...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Canterbury Cathedral

I travelled to Canterbury with some of my Chinese friends from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design during the New Year holiday. Canterbury is a small town but very...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Design in the Street

Ialways believe everybody is a designer. People are very creative. I enjoy looking at the design around us. You can see the picture I took on the street. I think it’s a good...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Boat Lamp

I like the glass work hanging at the main entrance of the V&A. It’s really beautiful and makes the space...

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Take Away Chair

When I walked around the Museum I saw some children sitting on the ground and playing. But the ground is cold in winter so Ithought I woulddesign some simple chairs for kids....

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Artists in Residence at the V&A

Now I have my own space.

I’m so excited that the V&A have provided so big a space for me. Also I need to thank HSBC who sponsored this residency and gave me the chance to be here. Thanks to the nice...

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