IDA 2026 IS NOW OPEN - FINAL DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15
We are surrounded by designed objects that make us do a sequence of actions everyday. Obj-activty is an homage to the world of things and design objects, things are “firmed points of existence” according to the philosopher Byung-chul Han. In a world based on “info-spheres” the existence of design continues to have relevance and importance against the immateriality of information. The project is a collection of hybrid objects that play with a name both in Italian and English. Each picture seems to be balanced on a half circle that expresses the idea of "equilibrium".
Chiara Zhu (Venice, 1993) is a Senior Brand Designer and Art Director with an international background spanning MetaDesign in Berlin, Snøhetta in Innsbruck and Oslo, Goldsmiths, University of London, and Bata Group in Padua. Her multidisciplinary practice moves between graphic design, branding, photography and visual storytelling, extending into objects, patterns and space. Through vivid colour and visual metaphor, she transforms everyday observations and contemporary contradictions into abstract yet tangible narratives.
Upcoming exhibition at BIG Biennale Internazionale Grafica, ADI Design Museum, Milan
October 2025 – Florence Biennale XV, project “Impersonae”
October 2025 – IDA International Design Awards, Gold in Graphic Design with “Impersonae”
July 2025 – Workshop “Impersonae”, PAZ – PNNR project
January 2024 – IDA International Design Awards, Bronze in Graphic Design with “Obj-activity”
June 2023 – Ca’ Select Art, shortlisted for Montenegro Group competition (brand Select)
January 2023 – National competition Visioni Altre & G’art, project “Heart on sale”
March 2022 – Milano Graphic Festival – AIAP Community, Impersonae – kaleidoscopic identities
Sept.–Oct. 2021 – Arte Laguna Prize 14th edition, Arsenale Nord Venice, Digital Graphics section with “Opportunilands”
Sept. 2021 – Milan Design Week, Park Associati Call 2, solo exhibition “THE LUST – designeedesire”
Jun.–Aug. 2020 – IDA International Design Awards, finalist Covid19 Innovation Design Grant, project “Instantanea”
Jun.–Aug. 2020 – AIAP, exhibition Mantieni le Distance, poster “I Love You” selected, Spazio Illisso
Nov. 2019 – Collective exhibition Independent Artists – Water, Villa Brentano, Milan (“Distract”, “Tribute to Monet”)
July 2019 – Solo exhibition “THE LUST”, Deptford Does Art, London
December 2016 – Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa, 100th Young Artists collective, Venice (“On Stepchild Adoption”)