Feature image of This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

2 mins read

2 mins read

Feature image of This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness
From self-diagnosis to design workshops, The Uncanny Whiz is championing a new language of diversity that's driving community, conversation, and awareness.

Meet The Uncanny Whiz, a design studio from Shanghai founded by one neurodivergent designer and one so-called “living creature.” While they claim to be “scattered, inconsistent, and unfocused,” their design work—while diverse in a contemporary way—consistently expresses the creative mindset of those within the spectrum of neurodiversity.

The poster design by the uncanny whiz is not a single poster, but also a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.
The poster designed by the uncanny whiz doubles as a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.

The Uncanny Whiz’s brand aesthetic does indeed feel nonlinear—but that’s what they’re going for. They use contemporary shapes and patterns while playing with modular formats, like having a poster double as a foldable zine. Through their work, the founders introduce how they embrace and integrate their neurodivergent identity into their practice.

“Neurodiversity” as a word has actually been increasingly shared online on Chinese social media. It’s a term that suggests that the human brain comes wired in different ways in focus, memory, and perception. More well-known terms, including ASD, ADHD, and dyslexia, are all members of the neurodiversity family. The Uncanny Whiz believes that these differences are natural—not errors to fix or diseases to cure. Instead of asking individuals to adjust to rigid systems, the neurodiversity view asks systems to adjust to people.

The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.
The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.

In the Chinese mainland, this idea is finding its own language. On Xiaohongshu and Douyin, many share their self-diagnoses, not to seek sympathy, but rather recognition. They trade notes on what helps them stay afloat: crocheting for focus, bouldering for grounding, routines that turn chaos into rhythm.

Boulderers with ADHD share their asset, not only bouldering help to focus, these fidgeting tools also help with finger relaxing. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
‘Boulderers with ADHD’ share their creations. Not only does bouldering help with focus, these fidgeting tools also help with relaxation—and why not build your own? Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Others are turning this awareness into public work. NeuroBridge (脑脑空间) translates global research into infographics and plain language, making the “science of difference” accessible. Qingshan Neuro (青杉 Neuro), founded in 2017 by a creator with autism, has grown from a WeChat account into a platform and network that offers both information and professional support.

In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Together with The Uncanny Whiz, they all form a map of what’s changing in the online and offline creative community in the Chinese mainland: design studios, media projects, exhibitions, communities, and events reclaiming the way our brains are wired as a creative medium.

Cover image via The Uncanny Whiz.

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Feature image of This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

2 mins read

From self-diagnosis to design workshops, The Uncanny Whiz is championing a new language of diversity that's driving community, conversation, and awareness.

Meet The Uncanny Whiz, a design studio from Shanghai founded by one neurodivergent designer and one so-called “living creature.” While they claim to be “scattered, inconsistent, and unfocused,” their design work—while diverse in a contemporary way—consistently expresses the creative mindset of those within the spectrum of neurodiversity.

The poster design by the uncanny whiz is not a single poster, but also a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.
The poster designed by the uncanny whiz doubles as a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.

The Uncanny Whiz’s brand aesthetic does indeed feel nonlinear—but that’s what they’re going for. They use contemporary shapes and patterns while playing with modular formats, like having a poster double as a foldable zine. Through their work, the founders introduce how they embrace and integrate their neurodivergent identity into their practice.

“Neurodiversity” as a word has actually been increasingly shared online on Chinese social media. It’s a term that suggests that the human brain comes wired in different ways in focus, memory, and perception. More well-known terms, including ASD, ADHD, and dyslexia, are all members of the neurodiversity family. The Uncanny Whiz believes that these differences are natural—not errors to fix or diseases to cure. Instead of asking individuals to adjust to rigid systems, the neurodiversity view asks systems to adjust to people.

The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.
The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.

In the Chinese mainland, this idea is finding its own language. On Xiaohongshu and Douyin, many share their self-diagnoses, not to seek sympathy, but rather recognition. They trade notes on what helps them stay afloat: crocheting for focus, bouldering for grounding, routines that turn chaos into rhythm.

Boulderers with ADHD share their asset, not only bouldering help to focus, these fidgeting tools also help with finger relaxing. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
‘Boulderers with ADHD’ share their creations. Not only does bouldering help with focus, these fidgeting tools also help with relaxation—and why not build your own? Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Others are turning this awareness into public work. NeuroBridge (脑脑空间) translates global research into infographics and plain language, making the “science of difference” accessible. Qingshan Neuro (青杉 Neuro), founded in 2017 by a creator with autism, has grown from a WeChat account into a platform and network that offers both information and professional support.

In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Together with The Uncanny Whiz, they all form a map of what’s changing in the online and offline creative community in the Chinese mainland: design studios, media projects, exhibitions, communities, and events reclaiming the way our brains are wired as a creative medium.

Cover image via The Uncanny Whiz.

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Feature image of This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

2 mins read

2 mins read

Feature image of This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness
From self-diagnosis to design workshops, The Uncanny Whiz is championing a new language of diversity that's driving community, conversation, and awareness.

Meet The Uncanny Whiz, a design studio from Shanghai founded by one neurodivergent designer and one so-called “living creature.” While they claim to be “scattered, inconsistent, and unfocused,” their design work—while diverse in a contemporary way—consistently expresses the creative mindset of those within the spectrum of neurodiversity.

The poster design by the uncanny whiz is not a single poster, but also a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.
The poster designed by the uncanny whiz doubles as a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.

The Uncanny Whiz’s brand aesthetic does indeed feel nonlinear—but that’s what they’re going for. They use contemporary shapes and patterns while playing with modular formats, like having a poster double as a foldable zine. Through their work, the founders introduce how they embrace and integrate their neurodivergent identity into their practice.

“Neurodiversity” as a word has actually been increasingly shared online on Chinese social media. It’s a term that suggests that the human brain comes wired in different ways in focus, memory, and perception. More well-known terms, including ASD, ADHD, and dyslexia, are all members of the neurodiversity family. The Uncanny Whiz believes that these differences are natural—not errors to fix or diseases to cure. Instead of asking individuals to adjust to rigid systems, the neurodiversity view asks systems to adjust to people.

The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.
The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.

In the Chinese mainland, this idea is finding its own language. On Xiaohongshu and Douyin, many share their self-diagnoses, not to seek sympathy, but rather recognition. They trade notes on what helps them stay afloat: crocheting for focus, bouldering for grounding, routines that turn chaos into rhythm.

Boulderers with ADHD share their asset, not only bouldering help to focus, these fidgeting tools also help with finger relaxing. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
‘Boulderers with ADHD’ share their creations. Not only does bouldering help with focus, these fidgeting tools also help with relaxation—and why not build your own? Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Others are turning this awareness into public work. NeuroBridge (脑脑空间) translates global research into infographics and plain language, making the “science of difference” accessible. Qingshan Neuro (青杉 Neuro), founded in 2017 by a creator with autism, has grown from a WeChat account into a platform and network that offers both information and professional support.

In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Together with The Uncanny Whiz, they all form a map of what’s changing in the online and offline creative community in the Chinese mainland: design studios, media projects, exhibitions, communities, and events reclaiming the way our brains are wired as a creative medium.

Cover image via The Uncanny Whiz.

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Feature image of This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

2 mins read

From self-diagnosis to design workshops, The Uncanny Whiz is championing a new language of diversity that's driving community, conversation, and awareness.

Meet The Uncanny Whiz, a design studio from Shanghai founded by one neurodivergent designer and one so-called “living creature.” While they claim to be “scattered, inconsistent, and unfocused,” their design work—while diverse in a contemporary way—consistently expresses the creative mindset of those within the spectrum of neurodiversity.

The poster design by the uncanny whiz is not a single poster, but also a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.
The poster designed by the uncanny whiz doubles as a foldable zine. Photo by the uncanny whiz.

The Uncanny Whiz’s brand aesthetic does indeed feel nonlinear—but that’s what they’re going for. They use contemporary shapes and patterns while playing with modular formats, like having a poster double as a foldable zine. Through their work, the founders introduce how they embrace and integrate their neurodivergent identity into their practice.

“Neurodiversity” as a word has actually been increasingly shared online on Chinese social media. It’s a term that suggests that the human brain comes wired in different ways in focus, memory, and perception. More well-known terms, including ASD, ADHD, and dyslexia, are all members of the neurodiversity family. The Uncanny Whiz believes that these differences are natural—not errors to fix or diseases to cure. Instead of asking individuals to adjust to rigid systems, the neurodiversity view asks systems to adjust to people.

The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.
The definition of neurodiversity. Image via Cortica.

In the Chinese mainland, this idea is finding its own language. On Xiaohongshu and Douyin, many share their self-diagnoses, not to seek sympathy, but rather recognition. They trade notes on what helps them stay afloat: crocheting for focus, bouldering for grounding, routines that turn chaos into rhythm.

Boulderers with ADHD share their asset, not only bouldering help to focus, these fidgeting tools also help with finger relaxing. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
‘Boulderers with ADHD’ share their creations. Not only does bouldering help with focus, these fidgeting tools also help with relaxation—and why not build your own? Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Others are turning this awareness into public work. NeuroBridge (脑脑空间) translates global research into infographics and plain language, making the “science of difference” accessible. Qingshan Neuro (青杉 Neuro), founded in 2017 by a creator with autism, has grown from a WeChat account into a platform and network that offers both information and professional support.

In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.
In in-person activities, people share their experience growing up with neurodivergence. Photo via Xiaohongshu.

Together with The Uncanny Whiz, they all form a map of what’s changing in the online and offline creative community in the Chinese mainland: design studios, media projects, exhibitions, communities, and events reclaiming the way our brains are wired as a creative medium.

Cover image via The Uncanny Whiz.

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Feature image of This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

This Neurodiverse Design Studio From Shanghai is Sparking Positive Awareness

From self-diagnosis to design workshops, The Uncanny Whiz is championing a new language of diversity that's driving community, conversation, and awareness.

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