Geely just hosted its “China Design, Global Aesthetics: 2025 International Automotive Design Forum” in Shanghai on December 5, a gathering that brought together top-tier scholars, industry leaders, and design mavens from China, Europe, and beyond. They were all there to dive deep into the future of Chinese automotive design and its expanding presence on the global stage.
Three Years of Design Evolution
This forum marks a significant three-year milestone in Geely’s ambitious decade-long “Chinese Automotive Design Discourse System” research, which kicked off in 2023. Collaborating with academic institutions and various industry partners, Geely has been on a relentless quest to pinpoint the core elements that define Chinese car design. At the event, they dropped the third edition of their White Paper on this ongoing research. It shows a clear progression from simply exploring design ideas to building a fully structured framework everyone can use.
Geely’s Nine Design Principles Revealed
One of the coolest things to come out of this research has to be Geely’s “Nine Design Principles.” These aren’t just vague suggestions; they are solid guidelines to bring diverse design philosophies under a unified umbrella. They are essentially a go-to reference for designers aiming to infuse Chinese design standards into their work. While we’re all eager to see the full list, for now, the specifics of these nine principles are still under wraps.
A Splash of Chinese Culture in Color and Aesthetics
The forum also put a spotlight on the fascinating research into color and cultural aesthetics. Geely officially dubbed “Geely Blue” as a key part of their Chinese color system, a bold statement perhaps. They also unveiled the “Chinese User Aesthetic Map,” giving us a fascinating peek into how Chinese consumers prefer their designs, broken down by geography and culture. Think of it as a guide to understanding what truly resonates with local tastes, influencing everything from paint choices to overall vehicle aesthetics. It’s something many brands, like Xiaomi and its Mi Yu7, are definitely paying attention to.
Interior Design Gets a Chinese Touch
Inside the cabin, things are also heating up. Geely highlighted some serious advancements in interior design, particularly a cockpit system crafted specifically for Chinese users. This isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about creating a space that feels right, literally. This system takes into account anthropometric differences compared to Western standards, providing measurable criteria for vehicle design that truly fits the local demographic. We also saw some neat integrations of traditional Chinese patterns and symbols into automotive interiors. Plus, Geely introduced “Galaxy Beautiful Script,” a Latin-based typeface with a Chinese aesthetic, perfect for their brand identity applications. This level of detail shows the thoughtfulness going into every part of the design process.
A Look to the Future: Roundtable Insights
The event wrapped up with a dynamic roundtable discussion, exploring the cultural and industrial impacts of these design shifts. The experts dug into how Chinese automotive design is shaping and being shaped by global market dynamics. Discussions revolved around collaborative research and applied design approaches, all aimed at benefiting the broader industry. It’s clear that this isn’t just about Geely, but about setting new benchmarks for everyone, including brands like BYD with its innovative designs and Zeekr with its powerful SUVs.
Charting the Course for Chinese Automotive Design
The 2025 forum really hammered home Geely’s dedication to defining and documenting Chinese automotive design principles. This work will undoubtedly serve as a crucial reference, not just for domestic automakers but for the international design community. It’s exciting to see China stepping up to define its own aesthetic, rather than simply following global trends, paving the way for truly unique and culturally resonant vehicles.
