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Trip Background
I met Alex Liu while visiting the 2023 International Housewares Association Trade Show in Chicago. After connecting Liu with my professors at Western Michigan University, I returned the following semester to a sponsored studio. We were challenged to bring the product to the commercial market and expand on opportunities for the brand. At the end of the semester, two projects would be selected and the designers to be taken on a trip to China in order to expand our understanding of how product ideas are realized.
View the full story + experience as captured by Erin Flynn at Western Michigan University here:
The Trip
May 16 2024 - May 17 2024
DETROIT to HONG KONG
Arriving in Hong Kong, we acclimated to the 12 hour time change, visiting the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ Museum.
May 18 2024 - May 20 2024
BEIJING
Beijing was our first stop in mainland China where we visited the Olympic Park, Forbidden City, and more.
May 21 2024 - May 24 2024
CHANGZHOU
In Changzhou, we visited almost every type of manufacturing facility; from plastic injection molding, to metal stamping, precision ceramic manufacturing, and packaging.
May 25 2024
SHANGHAI
During our day trip to Shanghai, we visited the Steelcase design studio, the Museum of Art Pudong, Yu Gardens, and caught a view of the city from Shanghai tower.
May 26 2024 - May 28 2024
GUANGZHOU / SHENZHEN
After a trip on the high-speed rail, we settled into our hotel in Guangzhou. Spending time at the FinaMill office with their engineers, we gained valuable experience going back and forth working out fresh concepts.
May 29 2024 - May 31 2024
HONG KONG
More photos to come!
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