studiokurbos: When two visionaries meet

An interview with Han Qiu, General Manager of studiokurbos China, exploring the journey of passion and trust in establishing a design studio in Shanghai together with Andreas Kurbos.

In this captivating conversation, we take a seat with Han to delve into the story behind the formation of the company’s second branch.

How did you and Andreas Kurbos meet and decide to start a company together?

In November 2019, I connected with Andreas through WeChat while managing a thriving car design channel. At that time, Andreas was in China, and he spontaneously suggested meeting up at a bar. We instantly connected and spoke a lot. This meeting was the catalyst for our thrilling journey as entrepreneurs and now we run a company together.

How did your passion for design develop?

I actually loved design and cars since I was five years old. I have been receiving a renowned car magazine for a long time, and it still comes regularly to my post. Before joining studiokurbos, I ran a company for three years, but I missed the creative aspect. Andreas gave me the opportunity to create something new, and now we combine our passions. I'm glad that Andreas trusted me to embark on this journey together.

studioskurbos China was founded in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic. How challenging was this location expansion?

It's all about trust. Andreas trusted me not just 100%, but 1000%. Due to the quarantine regulations during the pandemic in 2021, he couldn't travel to China. So, I organized the office space, the team, and everything required from Shanghai. We only met again in person long after the establishment, which was a strong testament to the trust that defines our business relationship.

What makes our approach unique is the appreciation for the local Chinese culture and practices. Many European companies opening in Asia struggle with that. Andreas always says, "We'll do it the Chinese way." Together, we have a common goal: shaping a promising future for our company. This shared goal and trust are the pillars of our partnership.

How does collaborating on joint projects involving both studios work?

Collaborative projects between both studios work remarkably well. Navigating through diverse wishes and needs can be a real balancing act. It requires constant communication. As designers, we stay open and engage deeply with the "why" behind different requests, no matter where they come from. This allows us to cater specifically to the diverse requests.

Over time, more and larger joint projects have developed, leading to an even more intense and creative exchange between the studios and forming genuine relationships across locations. I also brought some gifts with me, to exchange among colleagues who have never met in person before.

A special facet of our collaboration lies in the international teams within and across the studios. One fantastic example: "When I hear a certain colleague speaking Spanish during a meeting in Shanghai, I know right away that they are communicating with a colleague from Stuttgart who is also fluent in Spanish. Instead of using English, they've found an even better way to communicate and understand each other. It was such a pleasant surprise in the beginning, and I find it truly wonderful.

Thank you for sharing your insights! You'll be flying back to China after about a week here with us. What did you enjoy the most in Stuttgart?

It was exceptionally delightful to finally meet the Stuttgart team in person. After knowing many colleagues through digital meetings for a long time, meeting them face-to-face was enriching and humanizing!

Additional highlights were definitely the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museums. I especially loved the Porsche Museums-Shop (looks happily at the model cars already packed for the return flight). I'm taking so many positive impressions from this trip!