Design Show Addresses Real-World Problems

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: A student tests a virtual reality headset and an interactive flight cockpit installation.

Tongji University's 2026 graduation design exhibition showcases approximately 260 works from the Shanghai International College of Design and Innovation.

The exhibition, "Newline," explores the transition of graduates from campus to society and how design adapts to new challenges.

Organizers divided the exhibition into six industry sectors. These sectors include healthcare, brand innovation, aerospace intelligence, urban renewal, cultural tourism, and digital entertainment.

The show deviates from academic categories. It examines how design affects real industries and societies.

"We hope to push graduation projects into the frontlines of industry and technology," said an exhibition organizer. "The real world should test, deploy, and sustain these projects."

One major highlight is a smart rehabilitation suit designed by student Yue Hongyu. The garment contains embedded fabric stretch sensors that change shape in response to human movement.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Visitors examine a detailed architectural and spatial design display at Tongji University.

It outputs continuous signals and uses a neural network to detect muscle compensation. The suit provides real-time feedback to make home rehabilitation training easier for patients.

An Indonesian student designed a community workshop system using the angklung, a traditional Indonesian bamboo musical instrument.

Each instrument plays only one note, so people have to work together to play a song. She created a modular space and a card system with colors and numbers to help neighbors connect through music.

The exhibition also features works from the university's first group of graduates in the visual communication design and artificial intelligence dual-degree program.

Seven students created an interactive cockpit installation that simulates the seven stages of a commercial flight to study human-machine collaboration.

The college ranked 10th globally in the Art and Design category in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. It has led Asian design institutions for six consecutive years.