Charlotte Ling Zhang Graduate

Technical Expertise & Design Execution: Furniture Design

I am well trained bilingually (English/Chinese) in Furniture Design, Interior Architecture, and Creative Innovation. I engineer cultural and technical objects in design execution – from sawing Ming-inspired wooden joinery to launching modular office systems at Novah Shanghai, adhering to ergonomic principles and sustainable material sciences. Academically, I am particularly passionate about wood material research, having published a study on repurposing Rosewood waste into high-value craft products. This research was part of the theoretical foundation of my CMF and FF&E practices at Novah and Dickson Design Studio, where I successfully contributed to developing 4+ furniture products and spatial solutions during the 6-month on-site collaboration. During the furniture design research journey, I admired Hans Wegner, Charlotte Perriand, Naoto Fukasawa and Kenya Hara, was truly inspired by the harmony they’ve created between product and users, furniture and spaces, which lead me to the further exploration towards spatial design. While doing the practical research through the upcycling project of 1950s presidential chairs at Nanjing Forestry University, I conducted further research in accessibility and industrial innovation within the interior lighting systems, resulting in my Utility Model Patent: Multifunctional Deformable Lamp.

Human-Centred Spatial Philosophy: Interior Architecture

My approach to interior design was rooted in this furniture-centred background, evolving into a human-centred spatial philosophy. I firmly believe that architectural environments directly shape cognitive function and emotional well- being. I have developed this concept in my award-winning Montana Home project – a spatial narrative integrating iterative material experiments and generative pattern design to evoke end-use resonance, which secured my admission to the MA program in Interior Architecture at the University of Westminster. In daily life, I see things from diverse perspectives, traveling and observing makes my mind wander and explore new, connected ideas, my design is deeply informed by global ethnographic research, spanning hospitality projects in Montana national park lodges, Chinese urban and rural contexts, and bespoke furniture chains across the UK and Europe. My design ethos is deeply inspired by the pioneering modernism of Le Corbusier, the cultural synthesis in Carlo Alberto Scarpa’s architectural narratives, and the contemporary elegance of Kelly Hoppen’s interiors. Part of my personal design language is the Brutalism but with adequate wood accents, and technology, focusing on the materials and function to make the style liveable. During my postgraduate studies, I embarked on a global research journey with two teammates, visiting iconic institutions such as MoMA and The Met in New York, Casa Vicens and La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Design Museum and V&A in London, and M+ in Hong Kong. This immersive experience showed me a spectrum of design philosophies, from Gaudí’s organic forms to the classic and minimalist aesthetics of Bristol’s The Sofa Library and BoConcept from Denmark. My experiences are complemented by a deep understanding of both Eastern and Western design industries and business landscapes. This orbit further inspired my master’s dissertation: the venture plan for BammBoo Interactive Parlor – an AR-enabled furniture museum prototype that bridges ancestral craftsmanship with immersive spatial storytelling.

Leadership & Strategic Innovation: University of Bristol, Entrepreneurial Business Practice

My technical expertise in design and spatial solutions is paralleled by strategic leadership capabilities practiced through the MA certification courses of Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Bristol (2024), where I implemented Agile frameworks and orchestrated design workflows with iterative sprints and Kanban structure in complex design ventures. I ran interdisciplinary teams (with backgrounds in Industrial Design, Accounting, Finance, User Research, Law, Engineering, etc.) in lean startup principles for both consultancy cases with Friends of the Earth Limited and the dissertation business plan. I headed up team formation in multiple academic initiatives, excelling at role allocation, iterative planning, and conflict resolution. I ensure the projects progress on time, meet quality standards and maximize the potential of every team member. My network within Bristol’s creative ecosystem and UoB’s research networks, including connections at the Runway incubator and local design studios, further enrich my ability to bridge commercial viability with the design project development. The dynamic process of aligning multidisciplinary perspectives toward shared objectives remains one of my greatest prides and fulfilment.

Additional Context and Potential Challenges

While English is not my first language, my multilingual fluency (Chinese/English/Japanese) and cultural adaptability have been radical in leading diverse teams across continents. From coordinating transatlantic design sprints to managing multicultural collaborations during my academic and professional practice in Bristol and Montana, I thrive in environments where language serves as a bridge rather than a barrier. My passion for design discourse, fuelled by BBC shows Interior Design Masters, Dragon’s Den, and interviews with icons like I.M.Pei, has honed my ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and coherence. This global mindset has been rooted since my high school and undergraduate years, where I built lasting connections with peers from 10+ countries since the 3-month exchange program at Montana and further solidified through our professional and academic experiences in the US and UK. Whether leading our Bristol-based dissertation team through agile workflows or mediating between Chinese craftsmen and British manufacturers, I bring a unique ability to harmonize diverse perspectives into cohesive design solutions. I have a proven track record of successful cross-cultural collaborations, as evidenced by my leadership of teams at courses of MA journey in Bristol, I am confident that my creative problem-solving skills and cultural fluency will enable me to navigate challenges with resilience and innovation as they unfold.

As an interdisciplinary and multicultural designer, I bring a unique blend of aesthetic sensitivity and entrepreneurial rigor. Whether crafting bespoke FF&E solutions or developing brand-aligned spatial narratives, I thrive on transforming client briefs into impactful design outcomes. As someone proficient and conversant in a range of creative industries from the East to the West, I am confident that I have the capacity and a wider scope to assist the expertise, with faith and passion to help build the architecture.

I eagerly welcome the opportunity to discuss ways we can collaborate. Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing your ideas.

Best,
Charlotte Ling Zhang
MA in Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Bristol
BEng in Industrial Design – Furniture Design and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University