Lao Jianhua
Lao Jianhua, HSBC Designer in Residence 2008-9
Lao Jianhua (1978–) 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.
Visit Lao Jianhua' s residency blog (archived)
Lao Jianhua was born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, China in 1978. He graduated from Zhejiang University of Technology in 2001, majoring in industrial design. Lao then joined leading Chinese design firm Haier, where he designed mobile phone and other technological products. By 2002 Lao was Haier's youngest project manager, responsible for design in the TV Department and the Mobile Phone Department. His 'Cartoon TV' was a big hit at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show, and that year he moved to Haier Shanghai as Head Designer.
In 2004 Lao joined the GK Design Shanghai branch where he designed the Beijing subway car and Mazda 3 Chinese version. Italian designer Luca Trazzi contracted GK Design with Lao as Design Team Leader to design furniture, tableware, glass, sanitary ware, lighting and interior design for Otto restaurant, and Illy coffee bar. Further projects while in this role include mobile phones, cameras, MP4, TVs, microwave ovens, air conditioning systems, refrigerators and icemakers. At the beginning of 2008, Lao opened his own design studio, J Y DESIGN Shanghai, designing items such as electric fans, purifiers, wine coolers, restaurants and Bosch showrooms.
Chronology
- 1978
Born Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, China
- 2001
Graduates from Zhejiang University of Technology, majoring in industrial design
- 2002
Starts working for leading Chinese design firm Haier
- 2003
Becomes Haier's youngest ever project manager, responsible for TV and mobile phones design departments
- 2003
Moves to Haier Shanghai as Head Designer
- 2004
Joins GK Design Shanghai
- 2008
Opens his own design studio, JY Design Shanghai
- 2008
Comes to the V&A Museum, London, to begin his 6-month Residency at the Sackler Centre as HSBC Designer in Residence
