Email: 18611163800@163.com

Position
Chair, Department of Industrial Design

Academic Affiliations
Member, Tsinghua University Teaching Committee
Director, Intelligent Product Innovation Institute, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

Education
Bachelor of Arts, Central Academy of Crafts and Arts (now Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University)
Master of Industrial Design, University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC), France

Professional Appointments
Deputy Director and Secretary-General, Industrial Design Art Committee, China Artists Association

Research Focus
Industrial Design Research and Innovation Practice

Academic Philosophy
Research on industrial design innovation methods and visual representation aims to integrate innovation methods with visual expression more closely. Visual representation is not merely the expression of innovation results but is embedded throughout the design innovation process. This research is grounded in professional course teaching and long-term design practice, focusing on the multidisciplinary nature of industrial design. It explores how to cultivate students’ abilities to identify, define, and solve problems during design innovation activities, enabling them to leverage personal life experiences and delve into areas of interest to develop solutions. It also fosters effective working methods and thinking habits.

Academic Achievements
Professor Zhang Lei has extensive experience in industrial design education, research, and practice. As the lead designer, he has overseen numerous product development and innovation projects for national ministries and large enterprises, including key projects under the National 863 and 985 Programs. Collaborating companies include:

·International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)

·BMW

·Boeing

·Cetis Technology Co., Ltd., USA

·SAINT-CONPIN Glassware, France

·Rongyang Aluminum Industry

·QUICK Soldering Co., Ltd.

·Lingyun Guang Technology Group

·Daimler Northeast Asia Design Center, Germany

·Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan

·Hyundai Motor Company, Korea

·Hitachi, Ltd., Japan

He has been invited to deliver keynote speeches at major international design research conferences, including the Taiwan International Industrial Design Forum and the Tsinghua International Design Management Forum.

His design works have been exhibited and published in prestigious international exhibitions and media, such as:

·Milan Design Week, Italy

·Tokyo Design Week, Japan

·Munich Electronics Show, Germany

·Düsseldorf International Electronics Exhibition, Germany

·New York International Hotel Equipment Exhibition

·Hong Kong International Telecom Expo

·International Art & Science Exhibition

·Beijing International Design Triennial

Design works have been collected and exhibited by prominent cultural institutions, including:

·Museo d’Arte di NABA, Milan, Italy

·Tokyo Art Museum

·Seoul Museum of Modern Art, Korea

·National Museum of China

·China Art Museum

·Shenzhen Art Museum

His works have been selected for the National Fine Arts Exhibition’s Design Exhibition for four consecutive editions.

Major Awards

·First Prize, China Excellent Industrial Design Award

·International Jury Award, International Art & Science Exhibition

·Nomination Award, IMAGINER Product Design Exhibition, France

·First Prize, 2008 Olympic Village Public Facilities Design

·Tsinghua University Annual Teaching Excellence Award

·2020: Named China Designer of the Year by the China Design Power List; his works were also selected for 100 Designs Shaping the Future, making him the only designer with two works featured that year.

Academic Activities

·Judge, National “Thousand Talents Program” (Art and Design), Ministry of Culture

·Expert Committee Member, China Pavilion, 2010 Shanghai World Expo

·Judge, China International University Student Design Biennale

·Judge, China University Student Innovation Competition

Over 50 of his design works have been produced and sold internationally, and he holds more than 100 design patents. He has published 5 academic monographs and over 20 papers.

Teaching
Integrating innovative and interdisciplinary design education philosophies, Professor Zhang combines teaching concepts, structures, content, and methodologies. His undergraduate courses include:

·Design Process and Methodology

·Fundamentals of Form Design

·Graphic Design Expression

·Interdisciplinary Design Practice

·Design Thinking

·Innovative Design and Practice

As the program director for the Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design’s Master of Science Popularization program, he teaches graduate courses such as:

·Design of Science Popularization Products

·Design Case Studies

He has been recognized by Tsinghua students as a Most Beloved Teacher and Course and has twice received the Tsinghua University Annual Teaching Excellence Award. He has supervised 29 master’s students and 3 doctoral students, with 19 master’s students and 1 doctoral student having graduated.