This project features a series of headpieces inspired by the migrant workers in Shenzhen's Sanhe area. These workers, who came with dreams of success, are trapped in harsh realities, symbolizing struggle and disarray. The headpieces combine wire to represent confinement and Shrinky Dinks (heat-shrink plastic) to express their unpredictable, chaotic lives.

The process involved research through documentaries about the workers' emotional struggles, followed by using Shrinky Dinks to create shrinking, unpredictable shapes and epoxy resin for transparency. The wire was used to form cage-like structures, symbolizing their entrapment and resilience. Through this work, I aim to visually represent their life force and struggle.

My creative practice explores the intersection of Chinese design, society, and culture through graphic design and interactive media. I focus on social issues like class disparity and urban struggles, using design to tell stories and provoke reflection. This project inspired by migrant workers in Shenzhen’s Sanhe area, where I used wire and Shrinky Dinks to symbolize their resilience and disorder. By blending traditional elements with modern techniques, I create work that reflects China’s evolving identity and the challenges of urbanization.

Mengxin is an graphic design student based in Edinburgh, Mengxin is a designer specializing in UI design and visual communication, currently studying and practicing in the field of graphic design in the UK. Her work focuses on social issues and cultural identity, and she excels at conveying complex concepts through interactive experiences, information visualization, and experimental design. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design at university of Edinburgh.