I am a multi-disciplinary designer with a robust background in both speculative and conventional design. Prior to my undergrad, I gained experience in various design fields, which have allowed me to bring a unique perspective as one of the most experienced students from my cohort. My approach integrates cultural and brand contexts to create effective designs that resonate with my target audience.My academic pursuits, including studies of Tony Fry’s redirective design principles and Cameron Tonkinwise’s transition design, have equipped me with a sustainable perspective into everyday practice. Additionally, my years engaged in speculative design, introduced by Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, have infused my practice with a critical and conceptual perspective. This resulted in projects in the early stage of my career, one of those being [“v-0001.”](https://glendonxu.cargo.site/v0001) This can be seen in my portfolio.All of these theoretical studies allowed me to explore how design intersects with future. Nowadays, with ecological degradation, social inequality, ongoing conflicts in developing countries, and the potential for geopolitical tensions loom large, the golden age seems to have passed. Therefore, it is crucial for brands to adopt a speculative perspective in their identity. Speculative design, as discussed by Dunne and Raby, thrives on imagination and aims to open up new perspectives on complex problems, creating spaces for discussion and debate about alternative ways of being. While it is commonly assumed that speculative design primarily fosters debates about the future rather than marketing products, I believe it is possible to achieve both.
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Operations ManagerCrazy PeachLondon, Gb -
Graphic DesignerArts Students' Union Oct 2021 - PresentWhile working in the Visual Communication Group at UAL CSSA, I effectively designed multiple visuals for WeChat blogs and assisted in the visual design of exhibitions. -
Operations Manager | Art DirectorCrazy Peach Mar 2021 - PresentLondon Area, United KingdomI founded Crazy Peach to reshape how we engage with art and design, turning theoretical and speculative concepts into engaging narratives for a youthful audience. Initially launched as a blog and forum in China, I've steered its evolution into a global community platform that amplifies the voices of modern artists.Creating Crazy Peach involved more than crafting its visual identity; it required building a business structure attuned to our audience's unique needs. Leveraging my extensive network and a deep understanding of business dynamics, I've developed a brand that stands out for its innovative approach to art and design.Managing Crazy Peach underscores my comprehensive skills in planning, coordination, research, and marketing, essential for growing a brand from concept to community cornerstone. Adapting to different cultural contexts has been crucial, especially as we expanded into the UK market. Recognizing the need to shift from app-based engagement in China to establishing a website in the West, I've navigated these changes by integrating cultural nuances into our brand identity.This role has not only deepened my operational and strategic management skills but also enhanced my ability to forge meaningful connections across diverse cultural landscapes, driven by a design philosophy that emphasizes cultural context. -
Brand DesignerChill Improv Dec 2020 - PresentNanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaDesigned the brand visual identity for Chill Improv and maintained an ongoing collaboration.This collaboration marked the start of an incredible transformation, propelling Chill Improv to become a nationally recognized improv label, now affiliated with Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media Co., Ltd., renowned for its influential variety shows in China.The brand’s identity is highlighted by two distinctive graphical symbols: an image of an innocent child with a subtly mischievous laugh, and a bespoke hand gesture blending eights and tens, signifying "chill" in the Sichuan dialect. These elements, which I introduced, have become iconic within the brand's visual language and are a testament to its unique identity.The visual identity I developed for Chill Improv is not only youthful and lively but also a major contributor to the group's significant growth and national recognition. Four years on, this identity continues to underpin Chill Improv's success and appeal across China.This project underscores my design philosophy: effective design requires in-depth research into the brand’s core values and an intimate understanding of its cultural context. I focus on creating a visual narrative that connects the brand with its audience, acting as a catalyst for engagement and understanding.
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Associate Art DirectorReiwatakiya Jun 2022 - Aug 2023London Area, United Kingdom• Transformed the brand’s visual identity by creating striking marketing materials, store layouts, and visual merchandising displays that captivated customers and elevated the brand’s market presence.• Revolutionized store design with innovative layouts that optimized customer flow and enhanced the shopping experience, resulting in increased foot traffic and sales.• Launched visually compelling promotional campaigns and in-store displays that garnered significant attention and boosted brand recognition.• Championed new design initiatives by collaborating closely with the Operations Manager and marketing manager, leading to the successful implementation of fresh and impactful visual concepts. -
Art Exhibition: Planet V-0001Toku Gallery Jul 2021 - Oct 2021Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaOrganized and showcased my work in the solo exhibition "Planet V-0001" at Toku Gallery. It showcased my years engaged in speculative design, introduced by Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, have infused my practice with a critical and conceptual perspective.In this project, I proposed a question, "Could humans, propelled by their desires, eventually modify entire planets just for amusement?"This project imagines a future where outer planets are transformed into luxurious tourist destinations. It critiques modern masculinity, technological progress, and the ongoing hedonistic impulses in human nature. The planet is depicted as colorful but barren and lifeless, The spaceship designed to resemble male genital. They form a narrative of human ongoing pursuit of pleasure, neglect the barreness surrounding, cruising on what can be seen as a metaphorical patriarchal 'spaceship’In this project, I managed all visual elements of the exhibition, including posters, wallpapers, 3D animations, and promotional videos. This experience enhanced my organizational skills, allowing me to effectively manage time and multitask under pressure. -
Exhibition DesignerJiangsu Broadcasting Corporation Mar 2021 - Jun 2021Nanjing, Jiangsu, China"Lychee Culture and Creativity," a brand under Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation, spearheaded an ambitious project involving the complete design and planning of a Craft Bazaar to enhance local cultural visibility and market local artistic talents. Inspired by the steampunk aesthetic, the design concept symbolized the local culture's progressive ascent and forward momentum, embodying aspirations for a brighter future.As the Project Lead, I directed a team of three through all phases, from initial design concepts to coordination with upstream factories and suppliers, and finally to on-ground execution with construction teams. Despite the conservative design mandated by the government, the project showcased our team's exceptional ability to adapt creatively within strict guidelines. My role involved intricate project management, negotiating with multiple stakeholders, and ensuring seamless integration of all elements under pressing deadlines.The art fair successfully brought together local cultural and creative sellers, providing them a platform to showcase and sell their works, thereby stimulating the local cultural economy. The project, though not overtly visually striking due to its conservative approach, was a testament to our team's excellent coordination and management skills, demonstrating our capability to deliver complex projects efficiently. -
Brand DesignerTohsi Industrial Design Aug 2020 - Feb 2021Nanjing, Jiangsu, China- At Tohsi Industrial Design, I further enhanced my skills in branding and graphic design, gaining expertise in selecting appropriate printing, packaging materials, and broadening my expertise in 3D animation and UI design.Key Responsibilities: - Created comprehensive brand identities, including logos, color palettes, and supportinggraphics.- Ensured brand identities are aligned with core values and effectively connected with targetaudiences.- Utilized grid systems to design logos, maintaining consistency and rigour. Different grid formsrepresented different brand cores, ensuring each brand had a unique yet cohesive identity.- Connected with multiple factories to ensure the quality and consistency of branded products.- A notable project was brand identity of [D9 Block](http://www.to-hsi.com/index/index/case_detail/id/65), the former Nanjing Cigarette Factory, which we transformed it into a cultural and creative commercial district. Extensive research and brainstorming led to my proposal of using line angles to represent the area's age where I conducted extensive research and brainstorming sessions. We incorporated cultural elements like smoke (reflecting the site's history) and Yin-Yang (symbolizing multicultural exchange), to create a brand identity that balanced historical and contemporary elements.
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Graphic DesignerToku Gallery Aug 2019 - Aug 2020Nanjing, Jiangsu, ChinaIn my role as a Graphic Designer at Toku Gallery, I significantly contributed to the gallery's visibility and visitor engagement during a pivotal growth phase. My achievements include:- Organizational Skills: Developed strong organizational skills, learning to juggle multiple projects simultaneously.- Poster Design: Mastered the grid, significantly improving the efficiency and quality of poster designs. Tailored designs to event characteristics (e.g., fun and creative for ["Toku Gallery x Hangzhou Art Book Fair"](https://www.instagram.com/p/CAZo2OPHELY/?igsh=MXU0bTNsdDlndG15NA==) rigorous for [Forum Event "Blank Leaving"](https://glendonxu.cargo.site/forum-event-blank-leaving)). Collaborating with artists on poster designs often involves numerous restrictions. It's crucial to convey the artist's questions and ideas through the design without altering them. This constraint has honed my ability to work within limitations and communicate messages visually, even when traditional design techniques that typically enhance a poster's appeal may not be applicable.- Enhanced Visitor Experience: Designed engaging visuals for art fair displays, forum and other events, which notably increased visitor interaction and enriched the overall aesthetic experience.- Video Production: Advanced my video editing skills, producing high-quality videos using an iPhone due to budget constraints. Learned to utilize various editing transitions to create engaging content.- Support during Covid-19: When the pandemic halted physical exhibitions, I pivoted to enhance our digital presence, initiating the sale of cultural peripherals to sustain the gallery financially and maintain engagement. All the videos we produced were shot on my iPhone, demonstrating my ability to create quality content with a minimal budget.- Continued Collaboration: Continued freelance work for Toku Gallery after moving on, reflecting ongoing trust in my design capabilities.
Glendon Xu Education Details
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General A -
International Introduction To The Study Of Design, Media And Screen
Frequently Asked Questions about Glendon Xu
What company does Glendon Xu work for?
Glendon Xu works for Crazy Peach
What is Glendon Xu's role at the current company?
Glendon Xu's current role is Operations Manager.
What schools did Glendon Xu attend?
Glendon Xu attended University Of The Arts London, University Of The Arts London.
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