ADW in UM | Asia Design Week Debuts at University of Malaya with Two Major Exhibitions
From October 8 to 15, 2025, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of the University of Malaya, Asia Design Week presented two core exhibitions at the Universiti Malaya Art Gallery. The exhibitions showcased the outstanding results of The 2nd International Poster Exhibition of Asian Urban Culture & The "Belt and Road" China-ASEAN Digital Art Exhibition, the Asian Vanguard Art and Design Award (AVADA) , and highlights from the 1st International Poster Exhibition of Asian Urban Culture & Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations , featuring the creative forces of young designers from various Asian countries. Visiting delegations from multiple primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities in Malaysia and Indonesia came to参观, fostering lively on-site exchanges and deepening the interaction of regional art education and design culture.
1️⃣ The 2nd International Poster Exhibition of Asian Urban Culture and the "Belt and Road" Digital Art Exhibition of China-ASEAN Integration
This main exhibition centers on the visual expression of Asian urban culture and the integration of China-ASEAN digital art, bringing together works from outstanding designers, artists, and university teams from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and other Asian countries. It showcases the latest achievements in urban culture, digital art, and regional creative collaboration.
Organizational Structure
Organizer
• Asia Design Week
Co-organizers
• Malaysian Graphic Design Association
• Macau Poster Design Association
• Design Asia Collective
Host / Venue
• Universiti Malaya Art Gallery
2️⃣ Vanguard Rising | Asian Vanguard Art and Design Award (AVADA) – Exhibition of Award-winning Works
This exhibition zone presents outstanding award-winning works from young designers and artists across Asia, spanning various directions including Visual Communication, Illustration, Digital Art, and Mixed Media, showcasing the power of the new generation of creative talent in Asia.
Organizational Structure
Organizer
• Asia Design Week
Co-organizers
• International Public Association "Union of Designers", Russia
• Macao International Design Alliance
• Industrial Design Development Association of Taipei
• The Korean Society of Illustration Research
• Korea Society of Color Studies
• Malaysian Graphic Design Association
• Mongolian National Designer's Association
Host / Venue
• Universiti Malaya Art Gallery
During this event, under the guidance of the two curators—Mr. Li Sheng, Founder of Asia Design Week and Chief Planner and Curator of the two exhibitions, and Mr. Mohammad Umair Abd Rahim, Director of the Universiti Malaya Art Gallery and Asia Art Museum and Co-curator—visiting groups toured the exhibition zones along the curatorial pathway. In the exhibition halls, groups of students and teachers listened to professional讲解 covering multiple dimensions, including the cultural context behind the works, the visual characteristics of Asian cities, the trends in "Belt and Road" digital art integration, and the power of young design.
The curators provided in-depth analysis from perspectives such as the themes of the works, regional cultural differences, and methods of visual language expression, enabling the visiting groups to more systematically understand the visual composition of Asian urban culture and the cross-cultural development path of digital art.
Through on-site interactions, Q&A sessions, and exchanges, students were able to directly engage with the international design context, gaining valuable learning experiences.
Through this exhibition, the two curators further promoted the deep connection between China and ASEAN countries in visual culture, art education, and design innovation.
Visiting Delegations
Teams that visited during the exhibition period included:
Art program visiting groups from multiple primary and secondary schools in Malaysia
Student teams from art and design faculties at universities such as UM, UTM, UiTM, and UPM
Cultural and art exchange delegations from Indonesian universities
Visiting groups from design associations and visual arts interest clubs
Through curator explanations, discussions, and on-site observations, students and teachers deepened their understanding of Asian visual culture and digital art.
International Poster Exhibition of Asian Urban Culture – University of Malaya Edition
Chief Curators: Li Sheng, Miao Ping, Zhang Jianshe, Liu Ting
Co-Curator: Mohammad Umair Abd Rahim
Exhibition Execution: Zhu Meng, Diana Mohd Jalaludin, Guo Sijing, Yu Chuncheng, Zhou Tianyu
Video: Wang Jinxu, Zheng Yuqing, Guo Leyan
Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul
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official@asia-design-week.com
