In recent years, the School of Design at Hunan University has actively advanced its educational internationalization strategy. Through high-level overseas exchanges and collaborative programs, the school is steadily building a platform for global dialogue, spreading the "Voice of HNU" worldwide.
Sharing HNU's Design Insights at World-Class Institutions
Supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), Professor Hu Ying from the School of Design embarked on a six-month academic visit in May 2025, hosted successively by the Royal College of Art and the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory.
At Cambridge, Professor Hu delivered a lecture titled "How can we enhance human-technology wellness through design?", sharing her team's research on data-driven experience design. She engaged in vibrant discussions with Professor Hatice Gunes' team at the Emotion Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory on topics like EEG feature extraction for design thinking.
Invited by Professor Cecilia Mascolo, Director of the Cambridge Mobile Systems Research Laboratory, Professor Hu also presented her team's work on creativity cognition, perceptual experience, and product-service system design on June 25, introducing HNU's design heritage and innovative spirit to a global academic audience.
Professor Hu Ying at academic exchange session
Professor Hu Ying and doctoral student Bai Yiming participated in the CHIA 2025 Annual Academic Summit at Jesus College, Cambridge, focusing on "Shaping a Human-Centered AI Future." Additionally, doctoral student Bai Yiming was also invited to the RCA Summer Doctoral Academic Exchange on June 23, presenting her research on "Rethinking AI-Participated Creative Collaboration."
CHIA2025 Annual Academic Summit
Co-Creating Design Education with International Partners
The school maintains a long-term partnership with Pforzheim University School of Design in Germany. In June 2025, led by Vice Dean Professor Yuan Xiang, 16 undergraduate students and faculty traveled to Germany for a joint workshop, "Ling Form 2025."
Centered on the theme "Intelligent Forms and Interactive Experiences for Future Kitchens," the workshop integrated HNU's Creative Programming and Design course with Pforzheim's Form Design curriculum. Chinese and German students formed mixed teams, collaborating on projects using sensors and computer vision, culminating in a digital-twin interactive exhibition.
Faculty and students from Hunan University visit Germany for academic exchanges
At the exhibition
The delegation also visited leading German institutions such as the Red Dot Design Museum, ZKM Center for Art and Media, and the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Museums.
In July, faculty including Associate Professor Meng Han visited the University of Tokyo and Chiba University Design Research Institute in Japan, discussing "Cultural and Technological Integration Innovation" and "Urban-Rural Integration and New Agricultural Design Entrepreneurship," while touring Yanmar Agricultural Machinery and KURKKU FIELDS ecological farm.
In September, Associate Professor Zhang Jun conducted a week of joint teaching at Brazil’s Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), conducting a week-long joint teaching session at the Design School and delivering a course on "Sustainable Product-Service Systems" and exploring future academic cooperation.
A Continuous Flow of Cross-Border Dialogue
The exchange is bidirectional. From September 14–21, a delegation of 26 faculty and students from Pforzheim University paid a return visit to HNU. Both sides co-hosted the "Future Scaping" International Creative Workshop, where German participants experienced HNU's classroom teaching and cultural ambiance firsthand.
Group Photo of Chinese and German Faculty and Students at the "Future Scaping" International Creative Workshop
Furthermore, from June 8–15, a team led by Professor Zhang Duoduo collaborated with Professor Nick Bryan-Kinns from the University of the Arts London's Creative Computing Institute to conduct an 8-day international workshop in Huxingshan Yao Township, Hunan. Focused on "Future Making: GenAI and Vernacular Creativity in ICH Communities," the workshop also welcomed Professor Roger Ball from the Georgia Institute of Technology, who contributed insights from human factors engineering.
Through these sustained and deep engagements, the School of Design at Hunan University is not only sharing its perspectives but also weaving a stronger network of global design education and innovation.
