New collaboration kicks off with Wuhan University of Technology

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design announces its collaboration with the School of Art and Design at Wuhan University of Technology at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held on 13 December 2023.  The agreement between the two parties promotes equal exchange and cooperation between students and scholars. The partnership aims to enhance academic development and research facilities, organise conferences, and assist with visa formalities. Areas of cooperation include exchange visits, joint research centres, collaboration with companies, joint degree programmes, and research funding applications. This partnership will promote academic development and research excellence of the institutions. The School of Art and Design at Wuhan University of Technology is one of the leading institutions in Central China with a rich history. It offers a range of programmes and focuses on contemporary art and design, achieving notable research and teaching outcomes. With dedicated faculty and modern facilities, the school values internationalisation and fosters innovative design talents.

Rennie Kan Wins Global Intrapreneurial Award, Boosting Hong Kong's Innovation Profile

We are delighted to share that our very own Rennie Kan has been honored with the Intrapreneurial Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed by the Global Intrapreneurs Institute.  Congratulations!! This pioneering accolade celebrates Rennie's leadership in spearheading strategic initiatives to amplify PolyU Design’s global innovation profile — while also cultivating a forward-thinking culture that empowers talents to drive change from within as intrapreneurs. Designers are trained to address complex challenges with human-centered solutions. When granted organizational support, their inquisitiveness holds promise in initiating strategic innovations amid rapid disruption. What bold, inclusive policies could further cultivate the spirit of imagination and ingenuity across sectors? We welcome your perspectives.   Ms Kan's story is featured by PolyU's website. Click here to read now.

PolyU Design Hatch Awards│發掘設計潛能 提拔本土青年設計人才

The PolyU Design Hatch Awards is a design incubation and award programme open to all secondary school students in Hong Kong. The programme has the theme of "Designing for Happiness and Everyday Life: AI and Future Design". Participants are expected to submit their design proposals addressing the category they chose in the first round. Shortlisted entries will then proceed to the second round, which includes an incubating training programme called the "Hatch Programme". During this stage, participants will receive design lectures and ideation consultations that will help improve their design entries. The final works will be submitted and presented at the grand judging session in July 2024. While the Hatch Awards is entering the judging stage, Dean Prof. Kun-pyo Lee would like to give advice to the participants and encourage them to explore their potentials in design when they are still young, in an interview of HK01 online media. Malou Ko, an alumna of our School of Design from the Cabinet HK, introduced her concept for the design of the Hatch Awards identity. Additionally, Jerry Chan, our Product Design student, shared his thoughts on initiating a design project, using the Hatch Awards trophy design as an illustrative example. The article also features Dr. Yi-Teng Shih and Foster Choi, another trophy designer and alumnus of the School of Design. Click here to read full interview on HK01 (Chinese version available).   Source: HK01

PolyU Design Takes the Spotlight: Unleashing Creative Genius at the Architecture MasterPrize Awards 2023

We are pleased to announce that our BA(Hons) in Environment and Interior Design (EID) students have been recognised for their creativity and innovation in the Architecture MasterPrize (AMP) Awards 2023. They were recognised in various categories including Conceptual Architecture, Cultural Architecture, Educational Buildings and more, with an incredible 16 awards.   Proudly presenting the winners to you:   Illusio Biblitheca – Mak Ho Lam Phoebe (Tutor: Dr Gerhard Bruyns) Best of the Best, Conceptual Architecture  Winner of 4 categories: Small Architecture, Educational Buildings, Other Interior Design, Public Spaces   Library of Surveillance – Wong Wing Hei Vinci (Tutor: Dr. Sky Lo) Winner of Conceptual Architecture category   Transcultural Journey on The Orient Express – Chuk Chi Wai Vincent (Tutor: Dr. Peter Hasdell) Winner of 2 categories: Conceptual Architecture , Cultural Architecture    Dream Delusion – Kam Long Yin Brian (Tutor: Dr Gerhard Bruyns)  Best of Best, Other Interior Design  Winner of 6 categories: Conceptual Architecture, Virtual Architecture, Conceptual Interior, Conceptual Landscape, Large Scale Landscape, Other Landscape    Habitual Vicissitudes – Wong Tak Mei Antonette (Tutor: Dr Gerhard Bruyns)       Winner of Residential Architecture category   The Architecture MasterPrize (AMP) Awards is an esteemed global competition that receives numerous submissions from architects, designers, and firms worldwide. The entries are judged by a panel of renowned architects, prominent designers, esteemed academics and influential figures in the architecture and design industry.   Congratulations to our graduates on their remarkable achievements! Their commitment and passion have made PolyU Design glow brightly in the industry.

移動的社區研究場景：從街頭巷尾、中學走廊，到學術會議

(Chinese version available only)   作者：陳錦輝、潘雋希、孔維樂--樂地文化   社區係乜？關於自己身處的社區，每個人總會知少少，又弔詭地有少少無知，而知道自己對社區無知，也可以是改變的起點。就因為知啲唔知啲，我們（錦輝＋雋希＋阿樂）在12月15日下午於理工大學設計學院搞了一場名為「Socially Yours Conference 2023」的學術會議，由一眾社群設計單位分享洞見和學習。過百人出席，有學生、教授、NGO和合作伙伴，都是不同意義下的社區工作者。不過呢，這個聲稱學術會議，其實流流地，就只是我們用兩個星期堆砌出來的把戲。玩笑一場，要由一年前說起…… 閱讀全文   文章來源：明報—星期日現場(2024年1月14日)

Gamified interactive design empowers offline relationships

We are glad to announce that our Interactive Media fresh graduate Miss Mandy Man Man Tong, who was supervised by Associate Professor Dr Huaxin Wei, has won the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2023 for her Capstone project, “R:connect”.   “R:connect” is a mobile app that fosters stronger offline relationships by promoting team-building and socializing. This intuitive and user-friendly app offers exciting gamified features that allow users to design bespoke events and establish intriguing regulations to encourage positive relations between online and offline social lives. The platform is based on photo and video challenges and enables users to invite friends to take part in face-to-face activities.   The Red Dot Award: Brand & Communication Design is a highly esteemed prize that garners thousands of submissions each year. It acknowledges exceptional creativity and design in the field of communication design, honouring brand visibility and noteworthy projects.   Congratulations to Mandy for her great work and achievement!   Learn more about “R:connect”

Award-winning “Illusio Biblioteca” redefines new knowledge experience

First good news in 2024! We are pleased to announce that “Illusio Biblioteca” designed by our Environment and Interior Design fresh graduate Phoebe Ho Lam MAK has received international recognitions from various awards and competitions. It is: Best of Best in the Conceptual Architecture category, Architecture MasterPrize;  Winner of the Other Interior Design, Public Spaces, Small Architecture and Educational Buildings category, Architecture MasterPrize; and Shortlisted for Buildner Architectural Visualization Award’s Top 40 (international)   This project, supervised by Associate Professor Gerhard Bruyns, was inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' “Library of Babel” and Maurits Cornelis Escher's “Relativity”. Using layers, segmentation, and perspective the project rearticulates various iterations to mirror Borge’s library, “Illusio Biblioteca” allows viewers to experience new knowledge through ‘optical lines of sight’. Six knowledge domains are chosen as areas of focus: Heavens/Time/Calendrics, In Situ, Man/Society, Nature, Philosophy and Economy. The design method mechanises optical illusions to understand legibility, visibility, and deep perspectives. First, the addition of Chinese and Hong Kong cultural elements links the perspectives to the Asian context. Second, each space is manipulated through simple geometric shapes and mirrors to amplify spatial manipulation. Third, the association of specific symbols and allegories to specific sights renders the spaces as three-dimensional narratives, referencing hyperbole and paradox notions as part of spatial design.   These prestigious contests draw a broad audience from all over the world, which provides a platform for hosting diverse design competitions catering to architects and designers worldwide. The achievement may have laid a solid foundation for Phoebe’s career. Taking this opportunity, she would like to thank her supervisor Dr Bruyns for his encouragement and guidance that led her to the right direction. “Through this project, I have learned not to underestimate myself and not to limit myself with the same perspective,” she said.   We would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to Phoebe and Dr Bruyns!   Learn more about the Project 

PolyU Design: Impact Report 2023

Dear friend,   As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the past and eagerly anticipating the future. May 2024 be a year filled with meaningful collaborations for you. In the spirit of new beginnings and continuous learning, we are excited to share our latest impact report, themed "Curiosity Designers." This edition is designed to ignite inquiry and exploration, with each achievement guided by thought-provoking questions. Our aim is to inspire our readers and open doors to new collaborative ventures. We invite you to delve into these stories and consider the possibilities they may unlock in your educational and research endeavors. Let's join forces to foster a culture of curiosity and design a future that's as promising as the potential within us. We look forward to the opportunities to innovate together.   READ NOW | PDF version   Warmest regards and happy reading,   k.p.   Prof. Kun-Pyo LEE, PhD, HonFDRS  Dean of School of Design  Swire Chair Professor of Design  Alex Wong Siu Wah Gigi Wong Fook Chi Professor in Product Design Engineering  The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Empowering Innovation: Introducing the Idea Spark Action Funding Scheme for PolyU Designers and Innovators!

Idea SparkAction Funding Scheme - a new funding of max. HK$300,000 for PolyU designers and innovators!   This funding scheme open to PolyU students, staff, or alumni, was launched by Li Ka Shing Design and Innovation Centre (LKSD&I) under PolyU Design to unlock immense potential and opportunities. Qualified fund winners may receive a maximum of HK$300,000 per project, not to mention the all-around support from us including training sessions, professional advice and networking.   If you and your team have innovative, design-driven ideas, seize this opportunity! Don't miss the chance to turn your ideas into reality and ensure success!   Idea SparkAction Scheme Registration Link Application Deadline: 15 Feb 2024 (11:59PM, HKT)

Celebrating Architectural Excellence: Jockey Club Innovation Tower Takes the Spotlight in Avontuura's Latest Guide

Exciting news as we close out 2023! Our Jockey Club Innovation Tower is gracing the cover of Avontuura’s latest architecture guide. This feature is a celebration of the architectural excellence and innovation that our building brings to the vibrant city of Hong Kong. It's a symbol of our city's dynamic spirit and a source of pride for our community.   As we look forward to 2024, we're not just stepping into a new year, but also into a milestone celebration of our 60th anniversary. While the official celebrations don't kick off until March, this feature feels like an early start to the festivities.   Here's to a future where we keep elevating our collective creative potential!   Learn more about the architecture guide.