Diverse urban lifestyles come from a fusion of professional, abstract principles of design philosophy and the spare-time, more concrete design energy of laymen. This philosophy and energy are themselves a byproduct of the original concept of design.

This exhibit centers on explorative design by independent designers and artists, leaping outside the conventional “design” box and enriching the expressive power of design. The future of design will rely on innovation of thought and an inclusiveness that begins with education. Design should not be trammeled by practical requirements. It must break outside the box and pioneer beyond the bounds of normal thought. When design no longer has a clear goal in mind, designers can perhaps discover brand new possibilities. Nor is design the exclusive property of professional designers: spare-time and non-mainstream creators and those who think outside the box all fall outside the lofty philosophy of design and yet their instinctive, layman creativity may be just the place where design’s potential is tapped.

A special website has been conceived for the exhibition: http://chenfurong.net/web/AbstractAndConcrete/