Cumulus International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media, founded in 1990 and being the only global association representing the education and research in those fields, goes to China in September 2010.

Members from 165 Cumulus institutions from 43 countries will gather together first on 3-4 September 2010 for the pre-conference hosted by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Central Academy of Arts in Beijing. The main themes of the event are "Diversification and creation-The context of art & design China" and ”Future Perspective: Living Principles for Design”

The Tsinghua Beijng conference is an important chance to catch the exciting moment of design in Beijing and to meet most influential Chinese design educators, design policy makers, artists and designers. The development of design education from Bauhaus to China in last century created national arts and design movement under contemporary circumstance that brought a great transformation. The diversification and creation in contemporary context of art & design China will bring different views from scholars, architects and designers.
 Participants will then transfer to Shanghai on 7-10 September 2010 for the main conference “Young Creators for Better City & Better Life” hosted by Tongji University to celebrate the Shanghai World Expo and the Cumulus 20-year Anniversary of existence. On the eve of 8 September 2010 Cumulus will be by awarding Cumulus Green and a number of other Cumulus awards. The celebrations will be accompanied with the prominent student work exhibition of Cumulus members that will be officially opened on September 8 and lasting until 8 October 2010 at the premises of Tongji University.

The Cumulus Shanghai conference will explore the possibilities of young generation of designers to improve our environment and life in a creative way through their talents and responsibility. Missions and visions of design education, design research and practice for young creators, together with the economic, political and social impacts will also be discussed during the conference.

Prominent key-notes have been invited to take part in conference’s working groups and sessions. Among them CEO Tim Brown IDEO, Director John Thackara, Doors of Perception, Dean Zhiqiang Wu, College of Design and Innovation of Tongji University and Chief Planner of World Expo, Professor Ezio Manzini, Politecnico di Milano, Dean Lorraine Justice, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Director Professor Jeremy Myerson, Royal College of Art London and Vice-Dean Pekka Korvenmaa, Aalto University School of Art and Design.

More information:
Prof. Cai Jun, Beijing Conference Secretary General, caijun@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn
Prof. Lou Yongqi, Shanghai Conference Secretary General, lou.yongqi@gmail.com
Eija Salmi, Cumulus Secretary General, +358-9-47030534, eija.salmi@aalto.fi
Justyna Maciak, Cumulus Coordinator, +358-9-47030570, justyna.maciak@aalto.fi