{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1768508,
        "msgid": "young-designers-breathe-new-life-into-tradition-through-cultural-products-1779884591",
        "date": "2026-05-27 16:32:46",
        "title": "Young designers breathe new life into tradition through cultural products",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Trade",
        "summary": "Young Chinese designers are revitalising traditional culture into modern creative products, gaining international attention including in Indonesia. These designs blend historical elements with contemporary aesthetics, serving as cultural ambassadors that bridge heritage and modernity. The trend highlights how traditional heritage can be adapted to appeal globally while preserving authenticity.",
        "content": "<p>In a design studio in Wudi, Shandong Province, eastern China,\n22-year-old designer Li Zeyi is working on a new line of cultural and\ncreative products inspired by ancient Chinese astronomy. On her computer\nscreen, the 28 constellations of China\u2019s traditional astronomical system\nare transformed into simple modern symbols with distinctive Chinese\naesthetic patterns. Li studied and worked in Shanghai, the metropolis\nwhere she developed her artistic vision and expanded her perspective as\na young designer. \u2018Young designers must act as bridges,\u2019 Li said. \u2018We\nneed to bring old traditions into new forms of expression while helping\ncontemporary society rediscover their cultural roots.\u2019 However, she\neventually chose to return to her hometown of Wudi to start her own\nbusiness. Wudi is not just a small region with a long history known for\nsalt production and fishing, but also boasts a rich cultural heritage.\nAfter repeated field studies, Li found that Wudi\u2019s ancient city, coastal\nculture, and folk traditions offered abundant inspiration. Seizing the\nopportunity, she began using local cultural richness to design youthful\ncultural and creative products that appeal to modern consumers. \u2018I\nincorporate local landmarks such as Lotus Bay, the ancient city, and\nHaifeng Tower into my designs,\u2019 Li said. \u2018The small boat on the magnet\ncan be slid from one side to the other, allowing visitors to reminisce\nabout their travel experiences while playing with it.\u2019 Li is not alone.\nAcross China, more young designers are turning to traditional and local\nculture for creative inspiration. In Anqing, Anhui Province, eastern\nChina, designer Huang Shen has developed dozens of products inspired by\nHuangmei opera, a traditional Chinese opera form. Meanwhile, in Luoyang,\nHenan Province, central China, young entrepreneurs blend the city\u2019s\nfamed peony culture with Tang Dynasty tri-colour glazed pottery elements\ninto coffee, pastries, and other food items. \u2018Cultural products are not\njust about printing traditional patterns onto merchandise,\u2019 Li said.\n\u2018The key is finding a natural connection between tradition and modern\nlife.\u2019 Earlier this year, a new Chinese-style \u2018tiger head bag\u2019 carried\nby Elon Musk\u2019s son during his visit to China went viral online. Inspired\nby traditional northwestern Chinese tiger head hats and shoes, the bag\nwas designed by young designer Liu Siwei, showcasing the appeal of\ninnovative Chinese cultural products to international audiences.\n\u2018Foreign audiences may not fully grasp Chinese history or cultural\nmeanings, but they can appreciate the artistic quality of the imagery\nand the beauty of Eastern aesthetics,\u2019 Li said. With this in mind, Li\naims to transform traditional Chinese culture into graphics, patterns,\nand colours, which she believes can serve as a universal language for\ncross-cultural communication. As 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the\nChinese lunar calendar, Li created a cheerful horse-themed design\nfeaturing three horse characters depicting galloping horses. In recent\nyears, as Chinese culture has gained more visibility abroad and foreign\ntourism to China has increased, cultural and creative products have\nbecome a vivid window for people to better understand Chinese culture.\n\u2018The three horses\u2019 colours come from traditional Chinese palettes,\nincluding deep red, emerald green, and indigo,\u2019 Li said. \u2018Their bodies\nfeature classic patterns from woodblock New Year paintings, preserving\nthe simple charm of folk art.\u2019 The design has been applied to various\ncultural products. The work was also selected for a global design\nexhibition touring countries and regions including Turkey, Canada, and\nIndonesia. \u2018Elegant Chinese traditional patterns and delicate gold lines\nperfectly blend timeless Oriental charm with trendy modern aesthetics,\u2019\nsaid Karen, an Indonesian visitor. As more young designers turn their\ngaze towards hometowns, traditions, and the wider world, Chinese\ncultural and creative products have emerged as a vibrant medium\nconveying Chinese stories, Eastern aesthetics, and intercivilisational\ndialogue\u2014not mere souvenirs. \u2018Traditional Chinese culture can be seen by\nthe world,\u2019 Li said, \u2018as long as we find the right way to express\nit.\u2019<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/young-designers-breathe-new-life-into-tradition-through-cultural-products-1779884591",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}