ISD Capstone Research Project 'bridging the gap between academia and industry' with esteemed industrial partners in GBA and propels industrial innovation

Flying cars in-car system design, innovative AI cockpit experience, luxurious ecotourism in remote mountains, AI wearable health management for women in different life stages – these are some of the mind-opening industry-collaborative research themes and proposals presented at this year's Intelligent Systems Design (ISD) Capstone Research Project launch. "Bridging the gap between academia and industry has been a challenge in tertiary education," said Prof. Stephen J. Wang, ISD Specialism Leader and ISD Capstone Subject Leader. "I am thrilled to witness again how the ISD Capstone Research Project is evolving as a unique education endeavour to answer this challenge. The project is meticulously designed to challenge our students with real-world and industrial problems and foster a collaborative environment with our esteemed industrial partners. "In the concluding phase of their ISD journey, our students are poised to embark on a comprehensive exploration that encapsulates a full-fledged design process, culminating in a proof-of-concept demonstration that showcases their innovative design concepts and reflects their academic prowess. They are set to be well-equipped with ISD capabilities and share our commitment to industry relevance and innovation." The three briefs from our returning industry partners given before the launch garnered 14 proposals from 8 teams. Representatives from our partners – the leading manufacturers in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) – take on the role of industry supervisors. Together with our academic supervisors, they guide the students in addressing the briefs using the ISD approach, harnessing advanced technologies and processes to bolster the most cutting-edge industries for achieving transformative industrial innovation. They all came together at the launch, getting acquainted, discussing the way forward, expected outcomes, possible team synergies, and answering questions. Thanks to our industry partners' generosity in nurturing creative minds and supporting the ISD vision. We eagerly anticipate ground-breaking solutions and advancements this year's cohort will bring to propel the industrial innovation of our time.

Brian Kwok’s "CITY OF SCRIPTS 2 - HONG KONG TYPE DESIGNERS” won 2024 ADC Awards Design Merit Award in New York

Congratulations to our academic staff, Mr Brian Kwok, writer of "CITY OF SCRIPTS 2 - HONG KONG TYPE DESIGNERS" on receiving the Merit Award at the 2024 ADC Awards - Publication Design.   The book features a research  on type design in Hong Kong. The author interviewed eight local designers with various kinds of type design, from logotype, text, title and sign design of Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway. It provides valuable information to the study of Chinese type design.   The book cover features minimalistic geometric colour blocks, creating a striking visual representation of "字" (characters) and "Type." Using the hot stamping technique impresses these elements onto a grid that spans across the book and establishes a seamless connection between the cover, the book's title, and the process of typeface design, showcasing the beauty and diverse range of Chinese characters. Award details    

Research | 'Portrayals of Women in Early Twentieth-Century China' by Dr Sandy Ng

How did the modernization of early 20th-century China transform the image and identity of Chinese women?   Our Assistant Professor, Dr Sandy Ng has recently published a monograph, 'Portrayals of Women in Early Twentieth-Century China', which examines how the modernisation of early 20th-century China transformed the image and identity of Chinese women. The book explores how women navigated their changing identities with the proliferation of new designs in Chinese households by studying advertisements, photographs, and films from that era. It focuses on women's role and visual representations in introducing modern design and ways of living to China.   Let's explore together the visual landscape that redefined women's identity and subjectivity in 20th-century China. More about the book

Welcome aboard to The 18th School of Design Student Association - DIONISIO

Welcome aboard to our 18th Student Association ‘DIONISIO’!  We are excited for the wider range of activities they will organise for students. The new board is formed by a group of enthusiastic and devoted PolyU Design students from years 1 and 2. The members are: President – Potter (Design Foundation year 1) External Vice President – Lily (Design Foundation year 1) Internal Vice President – Hei (Design Foundation year 1) Financial Secretary – Kiki (Service Design year 2) External Secretary – Vivian (Product Experience Design year2) Promotion Secretary – Cathy (Communication Design year 2) Amenities Secretary – Kelly (Service Design year 2) DIONISIO Instagram  

An interview with Outstanding Student Award 2023 winner KWOK Hoi Yan Zoe

It is our greatest pleasure to announce that Miss KWOK Hoi Yan Zoe from our BA(Hons) in Communication Design programme has been selected as a PolyU Outstanding Student for 2023. She is one of 28 winners from different departments, faculties and schools at PolyU. We had an opportunity to interview Zoe to learn about her personal growth story. Let’s dive into her extraordinary journey and discover the secrets behind her exceptional achievements. Q1: How has PolyU Design influenced your approach to design?   PolyU Design has played a significant role in shaping my approach to design. The programme has equipped me with crucial design-thinking skills, enabling me to tackle various situations with fresh perspectives. Collaborating with peers and engaging in meaningful conversations has sharpened my communication abilities. Furthermore, PolyU's extensive facilities, such as the Photography Studio, Print Shop and Production Workshops, have provided me invaluable opportunities to experiment with and explore diverse design production methods. Q2: How do you see design playing an important role in our society? Can you discuss any projects you've been involved in that inspire you on Inclusiveness design? Through my involvement in documenting my neighbourhood and creating prototypes that capture the daily experiences of its citizens, I have witnessed the significant role that design plays in addressing societal challenges and bringing about positive change. One project that particularly stands out is the Integrated Designpreneurship project, which allows students from various disciplines to come together as a group to tackle various social topics as their final-year capstone project. Engaging in discussions with my groupmates has enabled me to learn about design thinking from different perspectives and understand how design shapes our environments, influences our interactions, and even drives social change. This experience has truly inspired me in terms of inclusiveness design. Q3: What characteristics you think an outstanding design student should have? I believe an outstanding design student should possess curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, a questioning mindset, and a genuine concern for society. Driven by curiosity and a desire to learn, I sought diverse design opportunities throughout my studies. This allowed me to experience the transformative power of design and its potential to impact society positively. Q4: Any reflections throughout your years in PolyU Design you could share with us?   Receiving the Outstanding Student Award is a true recognition of my dedication to design studies and a moment of reflection on my university journey. It means a lot to me, particularly as I am in my final year of study.   As I look back on my time at PolyU, I am grateful for the memories and lessons learned that will continue to guide me in the future. The foundation of skills, collaborative spirit, and passion for social impact that I developed during my studies will shape my path and inspire me to effectively utilise design to address pressing social issues in the future. I am excited about the opportunities and the positive impact I can make through design.  

Celebrating Growth & Success with High School Students at the Hatch Programme 2024

As one of the highlights of the PolyU Design Hatch Awards 2024, the Hatch Programme, joined by 60 shortlisted participants has finally come to a finale! Happened from 16 March to 6 April 2024, it is a 4-day incubation training programme that aims to support the budding design interest of the high school students, who have already shown a keen eye on identifying interesting design problems to tackle and their potentials through initial proposals. A series of design lectures, workshops and ideation consultations were conducted to help further unlock the possibilities in their design entries. IDEATION CONSULTATION A team of tutors (Mr Chi-Wing Lee of Milk Design and Mr Kennif Li of Kennifstudio) and senior student ambassadors spent time understanding the works and goals of the participants, thus giving them bespoke advice that best fits their needs. These design clinics were carried out regularly where the team was able to keep track of the progress of each project — a real personalised session. What comes to our surprise is the participants’ enthusiasms to explore further into other areas instead of staying in their own lane, constantly seeking out advice from ambassadors and lecturers of different expertise; the essence of design being applicable in multi-disciplinary! DESIGN LECTURE In order to equip participants with design fundamentals that would serve as a solid base for conducting design strategy in the future, lectures with various focus have been organised. Mr Albert Tsang of J.C.DISI introduced the basics of design thinking through his lecture “From and With: Design and Innovation for Social Impact”, enlightening participants with case studies of radical and inclusive design. In “Generative AI is for Everyone to Solve Problems?”, Mr Eddy Hui of Hong Kong Designers Association gave an extensive introduction on Gen AI, its application tips and reminders. PITCHING EXERCISE To better prepare for the final judging session in July, the students participated at a two-parts pitching exercise where Mr Westley Wong of Wholly Wholly shared an overview on branding and keys to nailing a persuasive pitch, while Mr Thomas Wong, an outstanding alumnus graduated from Communication Design led an intensive hands-on workshop, pushing attendees to build a compact thus intriguing presentation in a short period of time. Hopefully, students will make good use of the presentation skills acquired and apply it in their final presentation and beyond!

Celebrate remarkable achievements of PolyU Design’s alumni in Hong Kong film industry

Pieces of good news are brought from the 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards! We are excited to announce that our alumni, Dr Terry Lam (Master of Design - Design Strategies) and Mr Man Lim Chung (BA(Hons) in Design (Graphic Design)) have received awards in the ceremony on 14 April 2024 with their outstanding creative works and contributions to the Hong Kong film industry. Dr Terry Lam The Best Film winner "A Guilty Conscience" " (毒舌大狀) is an acclaimed Hong Kong movie achieved huge box office success, grossing over one billion dollars. Dr Lam is the co-scriptwriter along with Jack Ng and Jay Cheung. The amazing team has also earned a nomination for Best Screenplay in the Awards, and Best Writing at the Golden Rooster Awards. They are winners of Recommended Screenplay Award and the Best Movie Character Award, conferred by the Hong Kong Screenwriter’s Guild in 2023.   Over the years, Dr Lam has been involved in numerous renowned films, including ‘Infernal Affairs 1, 2, 3’ (無間道1, 2, 3), 'Fearless' (霍元甲). He is highly passionate about sharing his extensive knowledge and experiences with aspiring filmmakers and creative young people. He is currently Senior Lecturer (Digital Screen Design) at School of Film and Television in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Prior to this role, he taught students in our Bachelor's and Master's programmes. Under his mentorship, many amazing film works were created. Mr Man Lim Chung   Mr Man Lim Chung, our 2022 Distinguished Design Alumnus of the Year - Professional Achievement, was awarded Best Costume & Make-Up Design at the 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards with the blockbuster ‘The Goldfinger’(金手指) starred by Tony Leung. He is also the winner of Best Costume Design at The 17th Asian Film Awards. Mr Man is an outstanding film production designer, costume director, film director, and filmmaker. During his career in the film industry, he has been the driving force behind numerous award-winning works with his diverse talents, including ‘The Goldfinger’(金手指),  ‘Overheard 3’ (竊聽風雲3). His dedication to filmmaking and various other artistic pursuits across Greater China demonstrate his creative talent and ongoing drive to learn in order to support the success of his passions. Congratulations to Mr. Terry Lam and Ms. Man Nim Chung. We applaud their remarkable success and look forward to witnessing their amazing contribution in the industry.

PolyU Design collaborates with travel essentials and lifestyle brand LOJEL on sustainable design challenge

A travel essentials and lifestyle brand founded in Japan has approached our Master of Design (Innovative Business Design) (IBD) programme and invited our master's students to be strategic design consultants in a sustainable design challenge. At LOJEL, sustainability is a guiding principle that informs the company's daily decisions. They believe waste or something no longer in use is a secondary material and can be given a new purpose in new products, product-services, experiences, and even art. In IBD's Innovative Lifestyle and Culture subject led by Professor of Practice Benny Leong, the project teams were guided to research into the customer base whose lifestyle has been built around travel and sustainability, and based on the research insights, to develop a product/ artefact using secondary materials and including a service/ system that improves the customer experience at LOJEL stores. Project teams also entered a competition if their design used at least 70% defective materials provided by LOJEL and other recyclable or recycled materials. The LOJEL team and judges Jose Munoz, Nataly Hau, Hilda Fung and Dipti Paryani joined the final review held at LOJEL's Hong Kong headquarters. Congratulations to the "Gaia Travelers" project team for winning the Sustainable Design Award and the "Emotive Voyage" for the Green Innovation Award. Looking forward to the possibility to realise our project teams' design concepts!

Call for Nomination: PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Awards 2024

The PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Awards aim to give recognition to outstanding graduates of PolyU Design for their professional achievements, active support to their alma mater, as well as impactful contributions to the wider community. Nominations for the PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Awards 2024 are now invited your submission.   Tentative Nomination and Selection Schedule  Nomination Period: from 12 April 2024 to 5 May 2024 (Deadline: 5 May 2024, 11:59pm HKT) Judging: late May 2024 (Tentative) Result Announcement: June 2024 (Tentative) Award Presentation: June / July 2024 (Tentative) Eligibility  The nominated candidate must be a graduate who has successfully completed full-time or part-time programme offered by PolyU (or its forerunners: Hong Kong Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College, and Hong Kong Polytechnic) which led to academic award accredited by the respective Institution.   The proposer can be a PolyU graduate, Honorary Graduate, University Fellow, PolyU staff, current PolyU Council and Court member and current Advisory Committee member.  There is no limit to the number of nominations to be submitted by each proposer.  However, the proposer cannot be the candidate himself/ herself or a direct relative of the candidate.   Award Categories and Selection Criteria  In addition to honouring distinguished graduates for their distinction in their chosen fields, the Award recognises the active support of the alumni towards their alma mater. Support and Contribution to PolyU is one of the key selection criteria at all levels.   Selection is based on the nominee’s accomplishments in his/her personal achievements in the field, contributions to the community, and support and contributions to PolyU. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is introduced for alumni at/under the age of 40 by the end of the award year.   Award Category Description Professional Achievement This category recognises alumni who have attained distinguished achievements, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and made a strong impact on their profession/ industry/ society. Entrepreneurial  Achievement This category recognises alumni who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as founded or advanced business or technology ventures with impact. Scholarly Achievement This category recognises alumni scholars who have made notable scholarly or research contributions in their disciplines, with proven track record and excellent reputation in the field. Community Service Achievement This category recognises alumni who have made impactful contributions to the communities, or demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment, volunteerism and/or philanthropy for promoting the wellbeing of the communities.     Notes: The bestowal of the award shall subject to individual merits of the candidates.  No award shall be given out in a certain category if no suitable candidate is identified.   Panel of Judges  The Panel of Judges, comprising both internal and external members, will be formed to examine the nominations and assess candidates’ qualifications and performance for the awards.   Confidentiality  All information submitted on this nomination form will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used by the Panel of Judges for the purpose of the selection process.  The candidate will not be contacted by the School of Design until he/she is selected as the awardee of the PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Awards 2024.   Submission of Nomination  Online nomination form or Word version form   List of the items to prepares  Completed Nomination Form for PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Awards 2024 (Part I to Part VII) Proposer’s Recommendation, Particulars and Signature (p.10 - 11 of the nomination form) Recent portrait(s) of the candidate with high resolution Candidate’s Portfolio via downloadable drive link (p.10 of the nomination form) Photocopy of certificate(s), award(s) with high resolution Supplementary documents (if any) Enquiries School of Design Email sd.aln@polyu.edu.hk Phone +852 3400 8260

Faculty and School Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023

Congratulations to our academic staff, who were awarded the Faculty/School Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023. The award recognises and celebrates the remarkable contributions of staff members in Teaching, Research and Scholarly Activities, Knowledge Transfer, and Services. We are proud to acknowledge their outstanding efforts.   Categories Awardees Teaching Category: Teaching (Outstanding Teacher) Prof. StephenWANG Research and Scholarly Activities Category: Outstanding Researcher Dr Gerhard BRUYNS Knowledge Transfer Category: Knowledge Transfer (Society) Dr Markus WERNLI