I am so excited about this!

This May in collaboration with Package and Design Magazine of China and AIGA XCD, I will be traveling deep into the heart of China’s flourishing design scene. China’s creative spirit is transforming it from the world’s manufacturer to an economy of national brand development and ideation. It is a must-see for any globally savvy designer.

My arrival will be announced on the shelves in China by the magazine in March 2008. Package and Design Magazine will publish a profile and design samples in a feature article.

I will enjoy two weeks of design-focused activities, visiting great design firms and schools. There will be time for tourism too: from the Great Wall of China to the Qin Terra-cotta Warriors. In short, this expedition promises to be not only an exploration of culture and design, but also an expedition to remember.

Scheduled cities: Beijing, Tianjing, Xi’an, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Join us for the AIGA XCD China 2008 Expedition; experience the creative power behind China’s exponential growth.

more details soon, but for now hit me with any recommendations in china.

I am planning to hit tokyo on the way home also.

–update

ITINERARY
As of 22 April 2008
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Tuesday, 5 May 2008
TOKYO – trend tour

Wednesday, 8 May 2008
TOKYO – social networking conference

Saturday, 10 May
Day spent enroute to Beijing
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Sunday, 11 May :: BEIJING
Arrive in Beijing. — Take taxi to hotel
(it is possible that China Travel Service will arrange pick-up at airport. Will confirm)

Beijing Hotel: Sariz International Hotel
19 Zhong Guang Cun Avenue
Haidian,Beijing,China
Tel: 86 10 82488866

Afternoon: Free Time/Visit local markets

Evening: None

___________________________________________
Monday, 12 May :: BEIJING

Morning: Bus to Tianjin (1.5 hrs)

Visit Century and Creation
Multidisciplinary design /
advertising firm

Afternoon: Bus back to Beijing

Evening: 789 Art Area

___________________________________________
Tuesday, 13 May :: BEIJING

Morning: Tsinghua University (9:00 am)
Ma Quan
Director, Design Department
No. 1 Haidan District, Beijing

Afternoon: Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA)
Wang Min, Dean
School of Design
8 Huajiadi Nan Jie
Chaoyang District, Beijing

5 of our group to present at CAFA

AIGA China (at CAFA)
Amy Gendler, Director

Evening: Free Time or possible CAFA social

Overnight in Beijing

___________________________________________
Wednesday, 14 May :: BEIJING

Early Morning: Bus to Great Wall

Morning: Great Wall
Tomb of Ming

Afternoon/Evening: Return by bus to Beijing

___________________________________________
Thursday, 15 May :: BEIJING

Morning: Design visit TBA (Designer of Olymic Logo)

Afternoon: Summer Palace
Lama Temple

Evening: Free Time

___________________________________________
Friday, 16 May :: BEIJING

Morning: Visit small firms

Afternoon: Forbidden City
Beihai Park
TianAn Men Sq

Evening: Free time

___________________________________________
Saturday, 17 May :: XIAN

Morning: Fly to Xian

Xian Hotel: Aurum International Hotel
30 Nan Xin Street
Xian, China
Tel: 86 29 87672774

Afternoon: Bell Tower
Forest of Steles Caligraphy

Evening: Ancient City Wall

___________________________________________
Sunday, 18 May :: XIAN

Morning: Terra-Cotta Warriors

Afternoon: HuaQing Pool

Evening: Free time

___________________________________________

Monday, 19 May :: XIAN

Morning: Art Academy of Xian

Afternoon: Workshop with teachers at
Art Academy of Xian

Evening: Free time

___________________________________________
Tuesday, 20 May :: GUANGZHOU

Morning: Fly to Guangzhou

Guangzhou Hotel: Hotel Landmark
8 qiao Guang Road
Guangzhou,China
Tel: 86 20 83355988

Afternoon: Chen Temple

Evening: Pearl River Boat Tour

___________________________________________
Wednesday, 21 May :: GUANGZHOU

Morning: Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (GAFA) College of Design
Tong Huiming, Vice President

Afternoon: Small firms/Publishing Cos

Evening: Free time

___________________________________________
Thursday, 22 May :: HONG KONG

Early Morning: Train to Hong Kong

Hong Kong Hotel: Harbour Plaza North Point
665 King’s Road
North Point, Hong Kong
Tel:(00852)21878888

Morning: Henry Steiner at Polytechnic
University (includes tour of design school there)

Afternoon: Design Visits TBA (Kan & Lau?)

Evening: TBA

___________________________________________
Friday, 23 May :: HONG KONG

Morning: idN Magazine

Afternoon: Half-Day City Tour

___________________________________________
Saturday, 24 May :: HONG KONG

Depart for Los Angeles

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Sunday, 25 May :: Los Angeles

hang out with bridget and justin

Wednesday, 28 May :: Los Angeles

Tags: aiga, china