Award-winning designer Qihang Zhang merges cultural heritage, sustainable innovation, and a heartfelt homage at one of the world’s most renowned art venues.
In April 2025, acclaimed UX/AI designer Qihang Zhang showcased Radiant Embrace at Art Shopping Paris, a distinguished international contemporary art fair held at the Carrousel du Louvre. Situated directly beneath the iconic Louvre Museum, the Carrousel du Louvre is widely regarded as a globally recognized venue for artistic excellence, hosting high-profile exhibitions that connect tradition, innovation, and creativity. Zhang’s participation in this prestigious event marked a notable milestone, underscoring his expanding influence on the global design stage.
Radiant Embrace was initially conceptualized by product designer Tina Tsung as an homage to mid-20th-century Taiwanese iron window emblem patterns. Building upon the original concept, Qihang Zhang contributed significantly to the project by enhancing its technological features, integrating sustainable materials, refining its emotional narrative, and leading its international exhibition realization. Under Zhang’s guidance, Radiant Embrace evolved into an IoT-connected lighting installation that seeks to blend cultural symbolism, smart functionality, and environmental responsibility.
Photo Courtesy: Qihang Zhang
Beyond its cultural and material innovations, Radiant Embrace carries a deeply personal significance for Zhang. He dedicated the piece as a tribute to the late legendary singer CoCo Lee, who passed away in 2023. CoCo Lee, among the first Chinese pop stars to achieve mainstream success in the American music industry, was celebrated for her positive spirit and trailblazing influence. Her iconic songs, such as “365 Days of Missing You” and “A Love Before Time”, served as emotional inspirations for the lighting design’s user interface and overall mood. Through Radiant Embrace, Zhang aims to honor her legacy of resilience, warmth, and boundless connection, transforming grief into a creation that evokes hope and memory.
The lamp’s versatile design allows it to function either as a statement table piece or as a wall-mounted ambient light, adding warmth to spaces with its inviting, symbolic glow. Crafted through a harmonious integration of modern 3D printing technology and artisanal metalwork, its structure combines recyclable R-PETG (Recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol) and stainless steel, striking a balance between aesthetic elegance and environmental responsibility. The interplay of translucent and reflective surfaces symbolizes the unity of diverse elements, mirroring the emotional and cultural bonds the piece aspires to embody.
Photo Courtesy: Qihang Zhang
Rooted deeply in historical contexts, Radiant Embrace draws inspiration from emblematic patterns that adorned Taiwanese iron windows during the 1950s and 1960s. Central to the design is the Shippou pattern, derived from Japanese family crests often associated with harmonious relationships, alongside the begonia motif, traditionally representing resilience and perseverance in Chinese culture. Zhang’s transformation of these two-dimensional symbols into a dynamic, interactive three-dimensional experience reflects his commitment to bridging tradition, innovation, and emotional resonance.
Exhibiting at the Carrousel du Louvre—a venue synonymous with exceptional artistic achievements—highlights Qihang Zhang’s international stature and the growing recognition of his work. Beyond Radiant Embrace, Zhang has earned over 40 prestigious design awards, including the iF Design Award, A’ Design Award, Vega Awards, and Indigo Design Awards. His broader contributions to AI-powered platforms, product innovation, and user-centered design continue to shape experiences for global leaders such as Chartmetric, Universal Music Group, Warner Music, Sony Music, TikTok, and Live Nation.
Photo Courtesy: Tina (Hua Hsuan) Tsung / Qihang Zhang
Qihang Zhang’s participation in Art Shopping Paris reinforces his role as a visionary at the intersection of design, technology, and cultural storytelling. Through projects like Radiant Embrace, he illustrates how design can preserve memories, honor legacies, and cultivate emotional connections that transcend time and borders.
Published by Jeremy S.
