A place where design comes naturally

In the eremitic Artinno Town in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, a group of talented designers have emerged as a result of the recent Asian Games. The designers, all influenced by the same art academy, were the masterminds behind the Games' emblem, known as "Surging Tides" and the medals, as well as the torch, mascots, and hostesses' uniforms.

All of those in charge of the designs are alumni or professors of the China Academy of Art, which has its Xiangshan Central Campus nearby Artinno Town.

"People used to say in China, that 'real hermits live in bustling places'," says Fang Hongzhang, the designer of the emblem.

"I think every designer hopes to remain an independent individual, but they also need to have a very strong connection with society."