Shenzhen
深圳

From Manufacturing Hub to Innovation Powerhouse
从制造到创造的崛起之路

Abstract

Shenzhen, as the first Chinese city designated a UNESCO Creative City of Design, has transformed from the ‘the factory of world’ into a leading hub of innovation and creativity. Its design industry has grown from scratch, evolving into a key force in the city’s economic and industrial landscape.

Shenzhen’s design sector traces its roots to China’s reform and opening-up. With strategic location and strong policy support, the city quickly became a global manufacturing powerhouse. As industrial upgrading became necessary, Shenzhen recognized design’s pivotal role in enhancing product value and transformation. A major milestone was the 1992 ‘Graphic Design in China’ exhibition, marking Shenzhen’s emergence in the design field. Since then, the industry has expanded from graphic design to industrial, architectural, fashion, and jewelry design, forming a diverse creative ecosystem.

By 2023, Shenzhen housed over 33,000 creative design frms, with 220,000 designers and 30+ listed companies, leading in graphic, industrial, and fashion design nationwide. Initiatives such as China’s frst statutory ‘Creative Design Day’ and Shenzhen Design Week have further propelled industry growth, while projects like ‘Shan Hai Lian Cheng’ drive sustainable design and urban innovation.

The government’s strong support has been instrumental in Shenzhen’s success, implementing policies that foster design-driven growth. Shenzhen’s design sector is deeply integrated with technological innovation and advanced manufacturing, shaping a ‘Technology + Design’ and ‘Industry + Design’ model that enhances global competitiveness and offers new paradigms for the international design industry.

Shenzhen’s collaboration with Hong Kong strengthens its global positioning, leveraging Hong Kong’s financial, legal, and talent resources with Shenzhen’s innovation and manufacturing strengths. This partnership fosters deeper integration in creative and tech-driven industries, supporting Shenzhen’s internationalization and embedding it in the global innovation network.

More than a symbol of China’s design strength, Shenzhen is a key player in the global design network. From ‘Shenzhen Speed’ to ‘Shenzhen Quality’, and now to ‘Shenzhen Design’, the city continues to drive global innovation with its creativity, forward-thinking strategies, and pioneering practices, offering the world ‘Shenzhen Wisdom’ in design.

摘要

深圳，作为中国首个被联合国教科文组织授予“设计之都”称号的城市，深圳的设计产业从无到有、从小到大，经历了从“世界工厂”到创新创意之都的华丽转身。

深圳的设计产业发展历程可以追溯到改革开放初期。凭借优越的地理位置和政策支持，深圳迅速崛起为全球制造业中心。然而，随着产业升级的需求，深圳逐渐意识到设计在提升产品附加值和推动产业转型中的关键作用。1992年，“平面设计在中国”展览的成功举办，成为深圳设计产业的标志性起点。此后，深圳的设计生态不断完善，从平面设计逐渐拓展到工业设计、建筑设计、服装设计、珠宝设计等多元领域。

近年来，深圳设计产业呈现出蓬勃发展的态势。截止2023年，深圳拥有超过3.3万家创意设计服务法人单位，设计师人数超过22万人，设计相关上市企业超过30家。在平面设计、工业设计、服装设计等领域，深圳已处于全国领先地位。深圳通过设立国内首个法定“创意设计日”、举办深圳设计周等举措，进一步推动设计产业的发展。同时，深圳也通过“山海连城”计划，探索在可持续发展方面的新机遇。

深圳设计产业的成功离不开政府的大力支持。多年来，深圳市政府出台了一系列政策措施，为设计产业的发展提供了良好的政策环境。同时，深圳的设计产业也与城市的科技创新、制造业升级紧密结合，形成了独特的“科技+设计”“产业+设计”模式。这种模式不仅提升了深圳产品的国际竞争力，也为全球设计产业提供了新的思路和范例。

如今，深圳的设计产业正朝着更高层次的目标迈进。深圳与香港在经济、文化及产业协作上的紧密联系，为深圳设计产业注入了跨境资源与机遇。香港的国际化金融、法律和人才优势，与深圳的创新能力和制造业基础相结合，推动了两地在创意设计、科技金融等领域的深度融合。这种区域合作不仅促进了深圳设计产业的国际化发展，还助力其以全球化视角融入国际创新网络，提升了深圳在全球创意产业中的影响力和竞争力。

深圳的设计产业不仅是中国设计力量的代表，更是全球设计网络中的重要一环。从“深圳速度”到“深圳质量”，再到“深圳设计”，深圳正以独特的创新精神和实践能力，为世界设计产业贡献着“深圳智慧”。