Alfonso conducts its second Roots of Design in China

Alfonso talks to youth about the importance of hard work during visit to Shanghai

On June 14, 2019, Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., visited Tongji-Huangpu School of Design and Innovation*1 in Shanghai, China. It was his fifth “Roots of Design” visit and the second in China. The school focuses on the future rather than tradition and offers a unique curriculum built around new educational philosophies to foster “innovative thinking.” Thirty-five second- and third-year high school students attended the program as well as about ten guardians. Albaisa talked passionately about the disposition and mindset required to become art or design professionals, placing particular emphasis on the importance of staying curious and how putting in more effort than others would bring richness to your life as a creator.

Most of the participating students were undecided about what kind of creative fields to pursue. Albaisa pointed out the need for design professionals are growing and will continue to do so in the future. He also said that designers are rare, important people who can visualize an unseen future and the designs it will require; then, express them in shapes others can see no matter what field designers work in. Albaisa offered some advice to the students, “During your student days, in addition to acquiring new skills and techniques, also place importance on how you can continuously produce new, cutting-edge ideas as you look for the things you’d like to do in the future.”

“Design is a job that requires teamwork, and diligence is one of the most basic requirements for a design team,” Albaisa added and said, “But a good designer should have something more than diligence. Having a unique perspective is also important.”

Following the talk, Albaisa had an informal discussion with the faculty and guardians about how to create an environment to foster and maximize the potential of the future creators. The participants asked questions like, “How can we help develop children’s creativity?” and “As educators, what should we value?”

After the program, many students came up to ask Albaisa for his autograph and more words of encouragement.

  1. Tongji-Huangpu School of Design and Innovation is equivalent to a senior high school in Japan.

Further Information