Exhibition Explores Cultural Empowerment in Cruise Design Through Dunhuang-Inspired Aesthetics by PolyU-WUT Joint Laboratory on Ship and Marine Aesthetic Design Technology
（中文版在本頁底部）
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design) and the School of Art and Design at Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) announced the opening of the first showcase of their Joint Laboratory on Ship and Marine Aesthetic Design Technology at the Jockey Club Innovation Tower on the PolyU campus on 16 January 2026.
This initiative comes at a moment when the global cruise industry is moving beyond purely functional design toward cultural enrichment. As designers across China reinterpret the Maritime Silk Road through Dunhuang‑inspired aesthetics, cultural exchange and mutual understanding have become increasingly central to contemporary cruise design. Against this backdrop, the two institutions proudly present a landmark exhibition, “Maritime Silk Road: Cruise Ship Aesthetic Design Exhibition with Cross-Cultural Narrative,” showcasing recent advancements in cruise aesthetic design.
Bringing together cruise ship models, renderings, and digital visualisations, the exhibition demonstrates how narrative design strategies are being applied to cruise exteriors and how cross‑cultural communication informs design practices. By illustrating how lines, colours, materials and motifs echo the histories of diverse civilisations, the exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience of cultural reinterpretation in maritime innovation
A Collaboration Bridging Technology, Culture and Design
PolyU Design and WUT bring together complementary strengths that position them at the forefront of ship and marine aesthetic design. The School of Art and Design at WUT is internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary excellence in ship and marine engineering and aesthetic design, while the PolyU Design serves as an important bridge connecting East Asia with Europe and America, distinguished by its strong international cultural perspective.
This exhibition marks the first major public presentation of the Joint Laboratory on Ship and Marine Aesthetic Design Technology, led by Professor Kin Wai Michael Siu of PolyU Design and Professor Changxue Pan of WUT. By integrating academic resources from both universities, it advances fundamental research and technological innovation, fully leveraging and amplifying the respective strengths of each institution.
The opening ceremony on 16 January brought together leaders from both universities and key contributors to the project. Guests were given a guided tour of the exhibits, followed by speeches from Prof. Kun‑Pyo Lee, Dean of PolyU Design, Prof. Jiefeng Lyu, Dean of WUT’s School of Art and Design, and Prof. Eric Yim, Professor of Practice of PolyU Design. They highlighted the project’s significant contributions to disciplinary convergence, educational exchange, research innovation, industry–academia collaboration and talent cultivation in the emerging field of ship and marine aesthetic design technology.
Other project leads and distinguished guests attending the ceremony included Prof. Kin Wai Michael Siu, Chair Professor of Public Design at PolyU Design and Director of the Joint Laboratory; Prof. Henry Duh, Associate Dean (Global & Industry Engagement) of PolyU Design; Dr Paul Lo, Teaching Fellow of PolyU Design and Prof. Jiangyan Lu, Associate Professor at WUT.
About “Maritime Silk Road: Cruise Ship Aesthetic Design Exhibition with Cross-Cultural Narrative”
Date: From now to 25 February 2026
Venue: Gallery, Podium, Jockey Club Innovation Tower (Block B), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon
Enquiry: sdpaullo@polyu.edu.hk
URL: Click here
敦煌美學融入郵輪設計——船海美學設計技術聯合實驗室首展探討文化賦能
香港理工大學設計學院（下稱「理大設計」）與武漢理工大學藝術與設計學院於 2026 年 1 月 16 日在理大賽馬會創新樓正式開幕 「香港理工大學—武漢理工大學船海美學設計技術聯合實驗室」首個成果展，重點呈現雙方在船海美學設計技術領域的最新研究與創作成果。
全球郵輪產業正從單純的功能導向，走向以文化敘事與美學價值為核心的轉型。近年來，中國設計師以敦煌美學詮釋「海上絲路」，文化交流互鑒成為當代郵輪美學設計的重要趨勢。在此背景下，兩校攜手推出大型展覽 《海上絲路：跨文化敘事的郵輪美學設計展 Maritime Silk Road: Cruise Ship Aesthetic Design Exhibition with Cross‑Cultural Narrative》，展示郵輪外觀美學、文化敘事設計與跨文化設計實踐的最新進展。
展覽集合郵輪模型、設計效果圖與數字可視化作品，展示敘事性設計如何融入郵輪外觀造型，以及跨文化語境如何影響設計方法。透過線條、色彩、材質與文化符號的視覺化轉譯，展覽讓觀眾沉浸於以設計重塑文明交會的海洋創新旅程。
科技 × 文化 × 設計的跨學科合作
是次展覽乃兩校共同成立的 「香港理工大學—武漢理工大學船海美學設計技術聯合實驗室」首個重頭戲。該聯合實驗室由理大設計邵健偉教授及武漢理工大學藝術與設計學院潘長學教授領導，整合學術資源推動基礎研究與技術創新，充分結合並發揮兩校優勢。武漢理工大學藝術與設計學院在船舶與海洋工程、美學設計領域聞名於世，具有強大的跨學科優勢；而香港理工大學設計學院作為連接東亞與歐美的重要橋樑，具備突出的國際文化視野。
展覽開幕典禮獲兩所大學的領導及多位項目參與者出席。除了安排嘉賓參觀展覽，活動亦邀得理大設計院長李健杓教授、武漢理工大學藝術與設計學院院長呂傑鋒教授，以及理大設計實務教授嚴志明教授致辭，指出是次合作項目在跨學科融合、學術交流、科研創新、產學合作及船海美學相關人才培育各方面具備重要意義，並將推動該領域的持續發展。
其他出席典禮的項目主理人及重要嘉賓包括：
邵健偉教授，香港理工大學公共設計講座教授、聯合實驗室主任
杜本麟教授，香港理工大學設計學院副院長（環球與企業事務）
盧智恒博士，香港理工大學設計學院專任導師
陸江豔教授，武漢理工大學藝術與設計學院副教授
展覽資訊
海上絲路：跨文化敘事的郵輪美學設計展（Maritime Silk Road: Cruise Ship Aesthetic Design Exhibition with Cross‑Cultural Narrative）
日期： 即日起至 2026 年 2 月 25 日
地點： 紅磡香港理工大學賽馬會創新樓（V座）平台創新展廊
查詢： sdpaullo@polyu.edu.hk
網址： 按此
PolyU Design Knowledge Transfer
School of Design
