PolyU Design announces 2023 Outstanding Alumni Awards winners

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design) is pleased to announce the recipients of the PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Awards 2023.

The awards aim to give recognition to outstanding graduates of PolyU Design for their professional achievements, active support to their alma mater, impactful contributions to the wider community as well as to uphold the highest values and standards in everything they do.  Two award groups are introduced to celebrate alumni from different stages of life: The Distinguished Design Alumni of the Year and The Young Design Alumni of the Year.  

The judging panel for the award was represented by Associate Dean Professor Henry Ma (Chairman), Professor of Practice Mr Benny Leong, Senior Marketing Manager Ms Rennie Kan and PolyU Outstanding alumnus Mr Tommy Li, Creative Director of Tommy Li Design Workshop Ltd.

We are proud to announce the recipients here.

2023 Distinguished Design Alumnus of the Year — Professional Achievement
Mr CHAN Chiu Wang Eric

Accomplished Branding and Graphic Designer, Creative Director
Higher Certificate in Illustration in 1983

Mr Eric CHAN is an accomplished graphic designer and corporate identity consultant with more than 30 years of experience. Mr CHAN has won more than 380 international and Hong Kong awards. In 1991, he founded Eric Chan Design Co. Ltd., a consultancy specialising in corporate and brand identity, visual identity, company brochures, and packaging. Mr CHAN is actively involved in Hong Kong’s design industry and is committed to nurturing the next generation of designers.

Biography:

Eric CHAN is an accomplished graphic designer and corporate identity consultant with more than 30 years of experience. He has won more than 380 international and Hong Kong awards, including the UK D&AD Yellow Pencil Nomination, US ONE Show Design Gold Award, Japan Typography Association Annual Awards Best of the Best, HKDA Awards Gold Award, and International Poster Triennial Gold Award. 

Eric graduated with a Higher Certificate in Illustration from PolyU and the First Institute of Art & Design in 1981 and began his career at Grapho Studio, Leo Burnett, and Bates Hong Kong. In 1991, he founded Eric Chan Design Co. Ltd., a consultancy specialising in corporate and brand identity, visual identity, company brochures, and packaging. 

Eric has served as a committee member (2002–2008) and Vice Chairman (2008–2014) of the Hong Kong Designers Association and is a full and fellow member of the Hong Kong Designers Association, an awarded member of the UK D&AD, an overseas full member of the Japan Typography Association, and a full member of the US Type Directors Club. He is actively involved in Hong Kong’s design industry and is committed to nurturing the next generation of designers.

Proposer: Dr Anthony Kong

2023 Distinguished Design Alumnus of the Year — Professional Achievement
Mr LAW Ling Kit Ajax

Co-Founder & Design Director, Interior Designer
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Interior Design in 1999 

Mr Ajax LAW is a passionate and talented interior designer.  In 2004, Mr LAW founded One Plus Partnership Limited with Virginia Lung. The firm has won over 800 international awards globally since its foundation. Mr LAW was one of the awardees of the “JCI Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) Selection 2014”. In the same year, he was also elected as one of “Ten Outstanding Designers”.

Biography:

Ajax LAW graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Interior Design in 1999 and is a passionate and talented interior designer. His works are theme-driven, full of artistic style, and commercially effective. Cinemas, F&B, retail, and clubhouses are some of the design scenarios he has created. He received several industry awards before graduating from PolyU, including the Grohe Asia Design Award, Hong Kong Designers Association Global Design Award, and two Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards. In 2004, he founded One Plus Partnership Limited with Virginia Lung. The firm has won over 800 international awards globally since its foundation, including two Gold awards from iF Design Awards (Germany) and two Best of the Best awards from the Red Dot Design Award (Germany).
Ajax LAW was one of the awardees of the “JCI Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) Selection 2014”. In the same year, he was also elected as one of “Ten Outstanding Designers”. He was invited to be the judge for the INSIDE World Festival of Interiors in Amsterdam, South Korea’s K-Design Award, the Taiwan Young Pin Award, and the US CODA awards. His work was exhibited at the 2016 Venice Biennale, and some of his works were featured on the covers and inner pages of the Frame (Netherlands) and Interior Design (USA) magazines. Ajax has been a columnist for MRRM Magazine since 2013.

Proposer: Professor Kun-Pyo Lee

2023 Distinguished Design Alumna of the Year — Community Service Achievement
Prof. Yanki C. LEE

Professor in Design, International Speaker, Design Research Scholar, and Social Innovator
PhD in 2007, Bachelor of Arts (Hon) in Interior Design in 1996, Diploma of Design in 1993

Prof. Yanki C. LEE is an international speaker, a design research scholar, a social innovator and founded two collectives: Exhibit at Golden Lane Estate CIC in London in 2005, and Enable Foundation, a registered charity, in Hong Kong in 2016.  Prof. LEE has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and articles and is a visiting professor at Design School Kolding in Denmark.  Since 2017, Prof. LEE has conducted social design projects funded by the HKSAR government to tackle social issues through design research and actions.  

Biography:

Prof. Yanki C. LEE graduated with a PhD in Design in 2007, a Bachelor of Arts (Hon) in Interior Design in 1996, a Diploma of Design in 1993 at the School of Design, PolyU, and MA in Architecture at the Royal College of Art (RCA, London) in 2000. Prof. LEE is an international speaker, a design research scholar, a social innovator and founded two collectives: Exhibit at Golden Lane Estate CIC in London in 2005, and Enable Foundation, a registered charity, in Hong Kong in 2016. Since 2017, she has conducted social design projects funded by the HKSAR government’s Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to tackle social issues through design research and actions. Prof. LEE has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and articles and is a visiting professor at Design School Kolding, which works with the BEVICA Foundation, Denmark, and the Design+Change Programme at Linnaeus University, Sweden.

Proposer: Professor Kun-Pyo Lee

2023 Young Design Alumnus of the Year — Professional Achievement
Mr KONG Ming

Chief Executive Officer 
Bachelor of Arts in Design (Industrial and Product) in 2013

Ming KONG is the CEO of TG0, a London-based technology company specialising in creating human–machine interaction products. Mr KONG developed his expertise in electronic products and mass production during a few years of leading TG0 projects that involved working with some of the most prolific brands in the automotive, gaming, and consumer electronics fields.  

Biography:

Ming KONG is the CEO of TG0, a London-based technology company specialising in creating human–machine interaction products. Ming is a product designer by education. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Design (Industrial and Product) at the School of Design, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in 2013 and obtained dual Master’s degrees in design and engineering from Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art. 

Following his passion, Ming travelled and worked in central Europe for companies such as Nestlé, Takram London, and Anythingby Studio during the early stage of his career. Ming developed his expertise in electronic products and mass production during a few years of leading TG0 projects that involved working with some of the most prolific brands in the automotive, gaming, and consumer electronics fields. After growing his company through Series A, his role transitioned to business development and team building. TG0 is backed by venture capitalists, including Amadeus Capital Partners, and has also received grants and awards from the Royal Academy of Engineering and Innovate UK. TG0 is now a team of 35, based in London. In 2021, TG0 was recognised as a Deloitte UK Fast 50 fast-growing tech company, ranking at No. 35 overall and No. 1 in hardware.

Proposer: Mr Benny Leong

2023 Young Design Alumnus of the Year — Entrepreneurial Achievement
Mr WONG Tsz Ho Thomas 

Business Consultant, Entrepreneur, and Future Educator 
Bachelor of Arts in Design (Industrial and Product) in 2013

Thomas WONG is a highly experienced and accomplished business consultant, entrepreneur, and educator with a strong passion for innovation and technology. With more than 10 years of industry experience. Mr WONG has consistently achieved success in various business ventures, ranging from traditional enterprises to AI tech start-ups and innovation education.  His dedication lies in assisting businesses and young entrepreneurs to thrive amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of today.

Biography:

Thomas WONG graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Design (Industrial and Product) in 2013 and is a highly experienced and accomplished business consultant, entrepreneur, and educator with a strong passion for innovation and technology. With more than 10 years of industry experience, Thomas has consistently achieved success in various business ventures, ranging from traditional enterprises to AI tech start-ups and innovation education.

Being a seasoned entrepreneur, Thomas possesses a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with design and entrepreneurship. This knowledge, combined with his expertise in professional training and technology, enables Thomas to offer astute guidance and education to future generations in the space economy, a field he refers to as “astropreneurship”.

Thomas is known for his innovative and forward-thinking approach. His dedication lies in assisting businesses and young entrepreneurs to thrive amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of today.

Proposer: Professor Leung Tim Chiu Richard

理大設計公佈2023年度傑出校友獎得獎者

香港理工大學設計學院（下稱「理大設計」或「學院」）公佈2023年度理大設計傑出校友獎得獎者。

大會共選出五位理大設計畢業生為今年得獎者，以表揚及肯定各人的專業成就，對設計行業和社會的重大貢獻。大會設有兩個年齡組別獎項來表彰來自不同階段的佳績，分別是「年度傑出設計校友」及「年度傑出年輕設計校友」。

評審委員由理大設計副院長馬志輝教授領導，成員包括實務教授梁清河先生、高級市務經理簡頴兒小姐，及傑出理大校友Tommy Li Design Workshop Ltd創作總監李永銓先生代表。

以下隆重介紹本屆得獎者：

2023年度傑出設計校友—專業成就
陳超宏先生

資深平面設計師、設計總監
1983年香港理工大學插畫課程

陳超宏(Eric)是資深而多元化的平面設計師，過去三十多年先後獲得超過380項國際及香港榮譽，於1991年創辦了Eric Chan Design Co. Ltd.，為客戶提供企業及品牌形象設計、商標設計、企業書刊及包裝設計等。時至今日，陳氏仍積極推廣本土平面設計及藝術文化，並致力培育新一代的平面設計師，對推動業界發展不遺餘力。

個人簡介:
陳超宏(Eric)是資深而多元化的平面設計師，過去三十多年先後獲得超過380項國際及香港榮譽，包括：英國D&AD黃鉛筆提名、美國ONE SHOW Design Award金獎、日本字體設計協會年獎Best of The Best、香港設計師協會雙年展金獎及國際海報三年展金獎等。

陳氏分別於1981年及1983年畢業於香港大一設計學院及香港理工大學插畫課程，曾效力Grapho Studio、李奧貝立 (Leo Burnett) 及達彼思 (Bates Hong Kong) 等國際知名公司。陳氏於1991年創辦了Eric Chan Design Co. Ltd.，為客戶提供企業及品牌形象設計、商標設計、企業書刊及包裝設計等。

陳氏曾任香港設計師協會執行委員(2002 - 2008)及副主席(2008 - 2014)，是香港設計師協會的專業、榮譽及資深會員，也是英國D&AD獲獎會員、日本字體設計協會會員，以及美國字體指導協會會員等。時至今日，陳氏仍積極推廣本土平面設計及藝術文化，並致力培育新一代的平面設計師，對推動業界發展不遺餘力。

提名人：江培強博士

2023年度傑出設計校友—專業成就
羅靈傑先生

聯合創辦人及設計總監、室內設計師
1999年室內設計學文學士

羅靈傑(Ajax) 致力以天賦貢獻行業，其設計作品常見於電影院、餐廳、零售店等，集主題性、藝術性和商業效益於一身。於2004年與龍慧祺成立壹正企劃有限公司，至今已獲800多個國際獎項。羅氏於2014年獲選「香港十大傑出青年」、「十大傑出設計師」，曾為多項比賽任評審。

個人簡介:
羅靈傑(Ajax) 1999年獲香港理工大學室內設計學文學士，現任室內設計師，致力以天賦貢獻行業。其設計作品常見於電影院、餐廳、零售店等，集主題性、藝術性和商業效益於一身。羅氏早於大學畢業前已獲Grohe亞洲設計獎、設計師協會獎、亞太區室內設計獎等殊榮。2004年與龍慧祺成立壹正企劃有限公司，至今已獲800多個國際獎項。
羅氏於2014年獲選「香港十大傑出青年」、「十大傑出設計師」，曾為多項比賽任評審，包括：INSIDE Festival of Interiors、Young Pin Award、K-Design Award。作品曾參展2016年威尼斯雙年展，還多次刊登於荷蘭《Frame》、美國《Interior Design》雜誌的封面及內頁。自2013年起應MRRM雜誌邀請成為該刊其中一位專欄作家。

提名人：李健杓教授

2023年度傑出設計校友—社會服務成就
李欣琪教授  

設計學教授、國際演講者、設計研究學者及社會創新者
2007年哲學博士、1996年室內設計學文學士及1993年設計學文憑

李欣琪教授(Yanki) 是國際演講者、設計研究學者和社會創新者，創辦了兩個社會設計團體，包括始於2005 年的Exhibit at Golden Lane Estate CIC（倫敦）及始於 2016 年的香港註冊慈善教育機構「啟民創社」。李教授已發表 50 多篇論文、書籍章節和文章，並於丹麥設計學院及BEVICA 基金會，以及瑞典林奈大學擔任客座教授。自2017年起，在香港特別行政區的「社會創新及創業發展基金」和賽馬會慈善信託基金資助下，發起了多個社會設計項目，運用設計研究和行動方式介入不同社會議題。

個人簡介:
李欣琪 (Yanki) 於2007年、1996年及1993年分別取得香港理工大學的哲學博士、室內設計學文學士及設計學文憑，並在2000年畢業於英國皇家藝術學院建築系。李教授是國際演講者、設計研究學者和社會創新者，創辦了兩個社會設計團體，包括始於2005 年的Exhibit at Golden Lane Estate CIC（倫敦）及始於 2016 年的香港註冊慈善教育機構「啟民創社」。自2017年起，在香港特別行政區的「社會創新及創業發展基金」和賽馬會慈善信託基金資助下，發起了多個社會設計項目，運用設計研究和行動方式介入不同社會議題。李教授已發表 50 多篇論文、書籍章節和文章，並於丹麥設計學院及BEVICA 基金會，以及瑞典林奈大學擔任客座教授。

提名人：李健杓教授

2023年度傑出年輕設計校友—專業成就
孔明先生

行政總裁
2013年設計學文學士（工業及產品設計）

孔明是倫敦科技公司 TG0的創辦人兼行政總裁，專職研發人機交互產品。TG0成立於2015年，在融資中獲Amadeus Capital Partners 等風險投資者支持，並獲英國皇家工程院和 Innovate UK 的資助和獎項。其團隊亦於2021年入選德勤英國 Fast50 快速成長科技公司的第 35 名，在硬件領域排名第一。

個人簡介:
孔明是倫敦科技公司 TG0的創辦人兼行政總裁，專職研發人機交互產品。TG0成立於2015年，在融資中獲Amadeus Capital Partners 等風險投資者支持，並獲英國皇家工程院和 Innovate UK 的資助和獎項。TG0團隊約有40人，於2021年入選德勤英國 Fast50 快速成長科技公司的第 35 名，在硬件領域排名第一。

孔氏於2013年在港完成學業後，在英國皇家藝術學院及倫敦帝國理工學院取得雙碩士學位。他早於在學時期已參與學院項目，其後曾效力雀巢和 Takram，在電子產品規模生產工藝累積了豐富知識和經驗。

提名人：梁清河先生

2023年度傑出年輕設計校友—企業成就
黃梓豪先生

商業顧問、企業家及未來教育家
2013年設計學文學士（工業及產品設計）

黃梓豪(Thomas)是經驗豐富、成就卓著的商業顧問、企業家和未來教育家，熱衷創新和科技。黃氏自理大畢業後已累積了超過 10 年行業經驗，在投資傳統企業、 AI 科技初創公司以至創新教育方面均屢有建樹。黃氏致力運用創新和前瞻性的方法，幫助企業和年輕創業家在當今瞬息萬變的環境中茁莊成長。

個人簡介:
黃梓豪(Thomas)是經驗豐富、成就卓著的商業顧問、企業家和未來教育家，熱衷創新和科技。黃氏自理大畢業後已累積了超過 10 年行業經驗，在投資傳統企業、 AI 科技初創公司以至創新教育方面均屢有建樹。

黃氏深入了解設計和創業的挑戰與機遇，能以相關知識結合其專業培訓和科技的專長，在太空經濟領域為新生代提供精辟指導和教學，他以「星際創業」來形容這方面的工作。黃氏致力運用創新和前瞻性的方法，幫助企業和年輕創業家在當今瞬息萬變的環境中茁莊成長。

提名人：梁甜昭教授