The NACAA Teaching Team

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering – University of Florence, Italy; Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning – La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Landscape Architect, co-founder of LAAM Landscape Architecture Studio, and design educator working across professional practice and design education in Italy and China.

Lorenzo Acciai is an Italian Landscape Architect, design educator, and co-founder of LAAM Landscape Architecture Studio. After beginning his professional career in Rome, he moved to China in 2011, developing extensive experience in architecture and spatial design across Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai. 

In 2014, he co-founded 5M Architects Shanghai, working across interior design, architectural renovation, and landscape design. In 2018, the practice evolved into LAAM Landscape Architecture Studio, developing projects between Italy and China. His professional practice spans private gardens, residential landscapes, urban design, and master planning. 

Alongside, Lorenzo has been involved in design education in China since 2017, with experience at Donghua University (Shanghai) and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Suzhou).

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Program Lead for the Bachelor-level Retail & Interior Design Track at NACAA

Participating in student training at the China Academy of Art since 2023, Lorenzo is responsible for the development and coordination of the programme, including curriculum design and content definition, alignment with invited consultants and experts, and programme delivery. 

His work with students focuses on spatial and environmental design through design studios, workshops, and mentorship, covering design foundations, project methodology, and prototyping, from academic exercises to real-world project scenarios.

Architect, co-founder of M&H Shanghai, and design educator working across professional practice and design education in China. Visiting Professor at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Yantai University.

Antonio Berton is an Italian architect and co-founder of an architecture and design firm, based in Shanghai.

Before founding his own practice, he gained international experience working with Kengo Kuma and Ole Scheeren/OMA. 

His practice spans interior design for offices, housing, and retail, alongside architecture, landscape, and research-driven design work, following clients from initial concept through to final construction. 

Alongside his professional practice, Antonio has been involved for more than 10 years in design education, at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Yantai University, where he teaches workshops at different scales from Year 1 to End-of-Studies Projects.

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning – IUAV University of Venice, Italy; 
• Master's Degree in Architecture – IUAV University of Venice, Italy.

Consultant for the Bachelor-Level Environmental Design (RID - Retail & Interior Design) Track

Founder of (better)labs, working across sustainable design, circular strategy, and design education to help organisations turn sustainability into practical, implementable innovation.

Tim Binnion is an Australian sustainable design consultant, design educator, and founder of (better)labs. 

With a background in Product Design Engineering and experience across Australia and China, he works at the intersection of circular economy, sustainable materials, and product innovation. 

Tim supports companies and institutions in developing more responsible products and design strategies, delivering workshops and consultancy across manufacturing, design, and sourcing. Alongside his consultancy work, he delivers expertise on product design and sustainable innovation at NACAA, focusing on materials, digital tools, systems thinking, and professional communication to help emerging designers build both creative confidence and environmental awareness.

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• Bachelor of Engineering (Product Design) – Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia;
• Master of Design – L'École de Design Nantes Atlantique, Nantes, France

Program Lead for the Bachelor-level Product Design (Industrial Product) Track at NACAA

Tim is coordinating curriculum delivery and development across the program. Overseeing materials workshops, supporting hands-on learning in prototyping, manufacturing, and sustainable design.

Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Culture – University of Turin, Italy; qualified as Maître de conférences (Associate Professor) in France.

Professor, researcher, and author working across literature, aesthetics, and the cultural dimensions of fashion and design. 

Federico Castigliano is an Italian scholar and author. After working for several years in France, he currently teaches and lectures at universities in China. His research focuses on aesthetics and cultural studies. His work has appeared in international journals including Poétique, Italian Studies, Open Cultural Studies, Fuori Luogo, and the Journal of Consumer Culture. His book “Flâneur: The Art of Wandering the Streets of Paris” has been translated into four languages.

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Thesis Supervisor for the Postgraduate Program 

He supports students throughout the development of their research projects, with a focus on methodology, academic writing, interdisciplinary approaches, and the cultural and social dimensions of design.

Bachelor's degree in History of Art and Architecture, University of York, UK. 

Intercultural Consultant, director of Pearl and Crown, and educator working across corporate advisory and higher education in China.

Monty is a British Intercultural Consultant, educator, and director of Pearl and Crown. 

In 2023, he moved to China, developing extensive experience in cross-cultural training and consulting across Hangzhou and Shanghai. His work has focused primarily on preparing Chinese professionals and students for academic and working life in Western contexts, covering cultural adaptation, communication styles, and professional integration. 

In 2026, he co-founded Pearl and Crown, a Hangzhou-based consultancy developing projects between China and Europe, serving corporate and higher education clients. 

Alongside, Monty has been involved in intercultural education in China since his arrival, with experience delivering workshops and consultancy at universities and corporate partners across the region.

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Programme Lead for Bachelor and Master’s Intercultural Communication program at NACAA

Since 2024, Monty has been involved in student development overseeing the design and delivery of intercultural communications classes, including syllabus planning, learning outcomes, and collaboration with guest specialists and partners. 

His teaching approach engages students in cultural intelligence and adaptive interaction through studio-based sessions, workshops, and individual tutoring, he covers core concepts, research approaches, and hands-on projects, giving students a chance to work on both academic exercises and real-world client assignments.

 

French urban artist, curator, and creative director based in China, with more than three decades of experience in urban culture. Co-founder of Urban Art United (UAU), working across urban art, public art, creative direction, cultural exchange, and artist management.

Paul “DEZIO” Coquerel is a French urban artist, curator, and creative director whose practice has been shaped by more than three decades of engagement with urban culture. 

Active since 1994 and based in China since 2006, he is also co-founder of Urban Art United (UAU), an organisation dedicated to promoting and developing urban art internationally.

DEZIO has played a significant role in the development of China’s contemporary urban art scene, initiating and contributing to pioneering projects including China’s first large-scale 4,000-square-metre mural project in Shanghai, alongside numerous public art interventions and collaborations. His work has been exhibited and collected by cultural institutions across China, including the Red Dot Museum in Xiamen, Chengdu Art Museum, and Xi’an Art Museum.

Combining a background in art, typography, business management, and retail design, DEZIO brings expertise in visual communication, branding, and spatial experiences to his artistic and curatorial practice. He regularly delivers lectures, workshops, and talks throughout China on urban art, design, creative development, and cultural exchange. He is also the author of the first bilingual English Chinese publication dedicated to graffiti styles titled Book of Style, contributing to the documentation and international recognition of graffiti art culture.

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Expert & Workshop Leader for the Fresca Project; panel member for examination juries

Diploma in Media Management – Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, Hanover, Germany

Strategy consultant and coach with nearly 30 years of experience in brand, business, and organisational strategy

Falk Fuhrmann is a German strategy consultant and coach with nearly 30 years of experience in brand, business, and organisational strategy. 

He was trained in Germany, specializing in in media science, communication psychology, communication research, marketing, and management. His career includes senior strategy roles at international agency networks including TBWA, DDB, and Saatchi & Saatchi. 

Since 2021, he has been Founder and Executive Director of Huí//Lüè, a business, brand, and innovation consultancy. Through Huí//Lüè, he helps organisations remove friction from today’s business and create momentum towards what comes next by connecting culture, insight, strategy, and activation. 

Alongside his consultancy work, he has coached students in media and marketing at Steinbeis School of Management and Innovation in Berlin and at Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in Krefeld. Since 2020, he has contributed to higher marketing and design education in China, bringing professional practice, business strategy, and organisational thinking into design education.

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Expert in strategy, branding, and professional development, as well as Project Lead for the NACAATHON. 

Supports students in developing strategic thinking, professional positioning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and future-oriented design practice, helping emerging designers articulate the value of their work and engage confidently with clients, organisations, and future career opportunities.

Master of Architecture – University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Architect, design leader, and educator with 17 years of international experience across architecture, urban design, sustainability, and emerging design technologies. His work explores how environmental thinking and technology can contribute to more adaptive and sustainable built environments.

Eduardo Hidalgo is a Spanish architect, design leader, and educator whose career spans Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Based in China for more than 15 years, he has held senior positions with international practices including AECOM and Woods Bagot, where he served as Regional Design Leader for Asia and contributed to the firm’s global design leadership. 

His work spans mixed-use, high-rise, hospitality, research and innovation campuses, and large-scale master planning. He has led international multidisciplinary teams through competitions, concept design, and project development, with a particular interest in sustainability, computational and AI-assisted design, and emerging technologies. 

His work has received international recognition, including A&D’s 40 Under 40 Asia, MUSE Design Awards, and the International Property Awards. Eduardo is also the founder of The Living Cities, an independent platform exploring the convergence of architecture, nature, sustainability, and technology, and how concepts of adaptation and living systems can inform the future of the built environment.

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Consultant in architecture and design, including international design and competition projects, sustainability, materials and construction techniques, and intensive design workshops. 

His expertise connects conceptual exploration with contemporary international practice, guiding students from research and concept development through design iteration and final presentation.

Bachelor of Arts, University of Oxford, UK.

Senior Consultant at a corporate law firm, specializing in China market entry, international business strategy, investment, and cross-border transactions.

Anna Lukina is a Senior Consultant at a corporate law firm, specializing in China market entry, international business strategy, investment, and cross-border transactions. 

Based in China since 2016, she has extensive experience advising international companies on market expansion in China. She has an international and cross-cultural professional background. 

Alongside her professional practice, Anna has several years of experience in higher and executive education, delivering courses and workshops on business strategy, entrepreneurship, corporate law and the Chinese business environment. Anna is also a Visiting Lecturer at EM Lyon Business School and ESSCA.

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Anna delivers her expertise in business administration and corporate law to NACAA students. 

She is also the Project Lead for the NACAATHON, bringing her professional experience in international business and the Chinese environment to interdisciplinary student projects.

Master of Science in Industrial Design and Engineering Technology - Ghent University, Belgium

Founder of LineNine, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Shanghai, dedicated to creating interactive products that embody a strong sense of personality and purpose. 

Before establishing his own design studio, Arne spent five years working alongside Dirk Wynants, founder of Extremis. During this time, he contributed to the development of innovative outdoor solutions, several of which received more than 20 international design awards. 

In 2020, he opened his own studio located in the formal French concession at the heart of Shanghai. Here, Arne collaborates and operates his studio with the focus on hands-on experimentation. The studio works across a variety of product types, such as furniture, lighting, smart devices and accessories, bringing together creative problem-solving, technical know-how, and a rigorous commitment to sustainability. Arne often opens the studio’s garden space for design related events, connecting creatives from all fields. 

In 2022, he taught as a guest professor at the Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou. Further educational interests have also led him to the Shanghai Institute of Visual art where he frequently participates in the graduation jury.

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End-of-Study Project Supervisor (Postgraduate Programme), examiner

Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg — Institute of Animation, Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Founder of RedRabbit Animation, working across interactive design, real-time 3D, and immersive experiences to help premium automotive and industrial brands turn creative concepts into physical-digital installations. 

Egmont Mayer is a German creative director, animator, and entrepreneur based in Shanghai. With a background in 3D animation and film direction, and experience across Germany and China, he works at the intersection of interactive design, spatial computing, and brand experience. Growing up in Beijing and Munich and fluent in Mandarin, he founded RedRabbit Animation in 2012 — a studio that has designed and built interactive installations for Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Siemens. From concept design through software, hardware, manufacturing, and onsite deployment, Egmont loves multidisciplinary hands-on projects that blend digital and physical.

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Consultant and workshop leader for the DN MADE Year 1 and 2 (Art & Technology), delivering hands-on learning in 3D/VR and interactive design, and serving as a jury member for examinations

• Professional education in photography and printmaking; Studies in Sinology, Chinese Language and Literature, University of Latvia and Shanghai Normal University; 
• Studies in Theatre and Film Direction, Shanghai Theatre Academy; 
• Master of Arts (MA), University of the Arts London; 
• PhD in Arts, Latvian Academy of Culture

Zane Mellupe is a Shanghai-based creative practitioner, artist, curator, and sinologist working across contemporary art, cultural exchange, inclusive design, and art-science collaboration. Her practice focuses on fostering sustainable, multidisciplinary connections between Europe and China.

Zane Mellupe is a Shanghai-based creative practitioner, artist, curator, and sinologist from Europe who has lived and worked in China for two decades. 

She co-founded the LiuDao art collective (Island6 Collective), founded YongkangLuArt and WhyWhyArt, and serves as Vice President of the European Arts and Science Association (EASA). 

Her practice is deeply committed to inclusive design and multidimensional anti-violence initiatives. She actively fosters art-science collaboration, bringing together academics and practitioners from diverse disciplines to develop new and sustainable synergies. 

Throughout her two decades in China, Zane has been engaged in cultural diplomacy, working with European and Chinese governments, people-to-people organizations, and artists from both regions. Her work advances China-Europe cultural exchange, multidisciplinary contemporary art, and sustainable models for urban and rural contexts.

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Zane serves as an Arts & Humanities consultant and postgraduate supervisor

She supports students throughout the development of their research projects, with a focus on methodology, academic writing, interdisciplinary approaches, and the artistic, intercultural, and social dimensions of design.

Master's Degree in Civil and Structural Engineering – University of Brescia, Italy

Claudio Milanesi is an Italian designer, artist, and founder of milanesi | paiusco, with a background in engineering and architectural experience spanning Italy and China. 

His early practice developed at the intersection of art, design, and architecture, shaping a multidisciplinary perspective that continues to inform his work. 

His international academic career began with research at the Department of Design and Material Innovation at the University of Toronto, further expanding the intellectual and research-driven foundations of his practice.

Grounded in critical thinking and extensive professional expertise, Milanesi pursues a design-led approach that seeks to create enduring value through aesthetic clarity, strategic intelligence, and a rigorous understanding of context. 

The work of his studio has received international recognition, including a shortlist at the World Architecture Festival (WAF), a Silver Award at the 2025 IDA International Design Awards, the 2024 Architecture MasterPrize, and the 2024 Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards.

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Workshop leader, student mentor

• Master of Product Design – LUCA School of Arts, Genk, Belgium;
• Architectural Light Advisor – Lighting Design Academy, Zwolle, The Netherlands

Designer & founder of JRS (Joeri Reynaert Studio), Shanghai

Joeri Reynaert runs an award-winning design agency in Shanghai, China. He entered the industry as in-house product developer for European brands such as Extremis in Belgium and Foscarini in Italy. 

2013 introduced a new chapter in China, where Joeri set up a design studio for Dirk Wynants (founder of Extremis). Within this role, he established a 4-year undergraduate programme at DeTao Master Academy, raising the bar for Chinese product design education. 

In 2018, Joeri designed his first products for start-ups as well as established brands within China. His work draws inspiration from socially shifting environments in various cultures, and aims to adapt to those, rather than to market trends. Projects focus on technical innovation through curiosity for and experiment with materials. The final outcomes aim to leave a long-lasting impression, rather than an environmental footprint.

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Industry expert, consulting both Master and Bachelor-level Product Design students, focusing on the technical development needed to elevate student projects to a market-ready level

• B.A., M.A., Ph.D. in French Literature – Sorbonne University, Paris, France; 
• B.A. in Modern Greek Language and Literature – INALCO, Paris, France.

Scholar of French literature and the humanities and higher education leader. His work brings together academic leadership, research, curriculum development, and international collaboration, with a particular focus on strengthening academic and cultural ties between France and China.

Gaultier Roux is a French academic specialising in nineteenth- and twentieth-century French literature, narrative theory, travel writing, and cultural exchanges between Europe and China. 

After eight years teaching in the French secondary education system, he joined Fudan University in Shanghai in 2016, where he successively served as Lecturer, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor. 

Since 2025, he has been Vice Dean and French Director of the French Chinese Institute of Design (NACAA). He is also a qualified Maître de conférences (French National Council of Universities, Section 9) and a chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes académiques.

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Vice Dean and French Director of the French Chinese Institute of Design (NACAA)

Gaultier is responsible for the academic leadership of the French component, the Humanities division, curriculum development, faculty coordination, and institutional relations between L'École de design Nantes Atlantique and the China Academy of Art. 

Teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in art history, literary studies, social sciences, and research methodology, while supervising bachelor's and master's dissertations.

BA – PCA/Olivier Gerval Fashion & Design Institute, Paris, France

Creative Director with over 25 years of experience in the field

Théophile Signard is a French multidisciplinary designer and creative director with 37 years of experience in Paris and Shanghai. 

His career spans creative agencies, event studios, and fashion brands, where he has developed a strong expertise in interactive installation design. He has worked with automotive clients including Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover, Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën on car shows, in-store installations, and events. 

His portfolio also includes collaborations with Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Rolex, Montblanc, L’Oréal, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder, Air France, Microsoft, IKEA, Disney, Activision, Ubisoft, and Huawei. Alongside his commercial work, he maintains an artistic practice as an illustrator, jewellery designer, and art toy creator, with exhibitions in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Seattle, and Paris.

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Théophile Signard joined NACAA in Hangzhou in 2022 and holds the position of Art & Technology (Digital Media Design) Undergraduate Program Lead since 2024.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Arts – Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico; 
• MFA in Visual Communication – Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM); 
• Certificate in Innovation of Products and Services – MIT Sloan School of Management, USA.

Design strategist and educator focused on business and social innovation, creativity, and experience design

Erik Yáñez is a Mexican design strategist and educator specializing in experience design, design methodologies, qualitative research, and human behaviour. 

He is the founder and director of Rubico, a Mexico City-based design studio that develops experience-driven projects and business strategies across industries including education, technology, retail, social impact, and finance. His work has taken him across the United States, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. 

Over the past seven years, Erik has taught at some of the top universities in Mexico, where he has received recognition for his teaching excellence. He has also contributed to the design of graduate-level academic programs and educational materials focused on design, creativity, and research methodologies.

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Program Lead for the Master’s Program

He is responsible for guiding and coordinating postgraduate training, curriculum development, and final-year projects, ensuring academic quality, coherence, and alignment across the program while collaborating closely with institutional partners.

• Bachelor of Arts (3D Animation) – Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico; 
• Master's in Interaction Design – National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan (China).

UX Designer working across information design, website and mobile design, graphic design, motion design, and visual design education

Mar Zavala is a UX designer, graphic designer, and illustrator whose practice operates at the intersection of information design, motion design, and user experience, with over 13 years in visual design and professional experience across Mexico and Taipei. 

Mar currently works as a Motion Designer supporting a company in the renewable energy industry with a presence in Denmark, Taipei, and Seoul, where she develops visual and information design, as well as animations, for offshore wind training programs focused on making technical information clear, structured, and accessible to learners. 

Her responsibilities include contributing to the user experience and interface design of the organization's digital learning platform, designing and maintaining custom course product pages, and supporting the broader company design system to ensure a consistent and coherent visual language across the platform. 

Mar's foundation in animation, graphic design, and UX allows her to move fluidly between structure, visual clarity, and motion, translating complex, technical content into interfaces and experiences that are both functional and engaging. 

Alongside her professional practice, Mar taught figure drawing to undergraduate students for more than two years in Mexico. She recently joined the Art & Technology Track at NACAA as a workshop leader in UX/UI Design. In this role, she brings her professional and interdisciplinary experience into an educational context, introducing students to real-world case scenarios and market-relevant applications, while supporting them in developing practical design methodologies and applying UX/UI principles.

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UX/UI Design Consultant and Workshop Leader

• Bachelor of Arts – ESA Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium; 
• Master of Arts – China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China.

Award-winning animation director, graphic novel author, and visual storytelling specialist with extensive experience in animation production, creative direction, and AI-assisted visual creation

Tian-You Zheng is a Belgian award-winning director, graphic novel author, and visual storytelling specialist. A graduate of ESA Saint-Luc in Brussels and the China Academy of Art, he has over ten years of professional experience in the animation industry, collaborating with leading studios including Oriental DreamWorks, Huayi Brothers, and Tencent. 

He currently serves as Creative Director at Pangmao Animation Studio in Shanghai, where he develops animated productions and visual narratives. Alongside his professional practice, he is actively engaged in design education, mentoring students in visual storytelling, illustration, animation, and the creative integration of artificial intelligence into design processes.

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Design Consultant and Mentor

Consults on visual storytelling, animation, and AI-assisted creative practices through workshops, lectures, and studio-based projects, helping students integrate traditional narrative techniques with emerging digital technologies.