This book is the first volume of A History of Chinese Art and Design. It systematically examines the evolution of design art from the preQin period through the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties, focusing on design history across a wide range of traditional fields, including bronze ware, textiles, apparel, ceramics, jade carving, sculpture, vehicles and vessels, bridges, architecture, gardens, furniture, and printing and communication. Drawing on extensive historical materials, the book critically analyzes the stylistic characteristics and design concepts reflected in archaeological artifacts and historical documents from different dynasties. It not only presents rich content that enables readers to grasp the overall landscape of Chinese design history during this period, but also explores the unique cultural forms and ideas underlying Chinese design, offering readers a panoramic perspective on China's design tradition. To date, this remains the most systematic and comprehensive work on the history of Chinese art and design. It has been widely cited by scholars in art and design history and adopted as a core textbook by numerous universities throughout China. Yanjing Xia is a distinguished professor of Art Studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. His research focuses on Chinese art history and art theory.

He has published more than 100 journal articles and authored 15 books, including Chinese Classical Art Theory System (2017), Form and New Horizons in Art History Theory (2018), Academic Standards and Methodology in Art Studies (2021), and A History of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art Studies (2011). He has held several significant academic appointments and serves on major national committees, including the Academic Committee of Art Studies of the State Council, the standing committee of the Chinese Literature and Art Critics' Association, and the standing committee of the China Artists Association.