PolyU Design Hatch Awards 2025 Winners Announced

The PolyU Design Hatch Awards 2025 concluded with the Final Presentation and Award Ceremony on 24 May 2025. 28 teams showcased their creative solutions across various media on this year's theme - Hong Kong's Rural Culture.  Hosted by the School of Design of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hatch Awards is a 3-month unique design incubation programme tailored for secondary school students in Hong Kong. Following the First Round, where 28 teams were selected out of nearly 160 students, finalists engaged in a two-day Hatch Programme on 12 and 19 April 2025, with design lectures, exercises, and ideation consultations to refine their project entries before pitching their final design solutions at the Final Presentation.    DESIGN LECTURE   Ms Kate Wong, a Landscape Architect of 2 Square Metres, was invited to host a lecture covering the fundamentals of design thinking. Her lecture, titled “The Process – Multiple Approaches to Design,” has presented five major methodologies for students to explore and address their design queries at the initial stages of their iterations. IDEATION CONSULTATIONS   A team of mentors (Mr Roberto Vilchis, Mr Ben To, and Ms Chen Xing-Tong) and 10 senior student ambassadors facilitated these consultations. The consultation served as a bilateral dialogue where mentors from PolyU Design shared bespoke advice to refine students' design iterations. These design clinics provided tailored discussions to help participants enhance their design projects before the final presentation.     PITCHING WORKSHOP   Continuing their design solution development, students engaged in a pitching workshop led by distinguished alumnus of Communication Design, Thomas Wong from Studiotx Design, specialising in graphic presentation and pitching skills. Through a series of pitching exercises, students learned key strategies for delivering successful and engaging presentations.  The Hatch Programme is not merely a series of design lectures and workshops, but also a tailored design day camp that provides students with a unique opportunity to experience design education firsthand, guided by esteemed faculty members and student mentors. Engaging in this dynamic setting fosters a learning experience that goes beyond traditional competitions.    WINNERS ANNOUNCED  6 teams were honoured with different awards in recognition of their achievements in the projects. The award-winning teams captivated the audience not only with their innovative approaches but also with their creativity. Awardees are entitled to a public exhibition at the Hong Kong Central Library in September.  CHAMPION  Team: 山蠔Paciral  Member(s): CHAN Cheuk Lam, CHEN Yin Tung and CHAN Chun Kit   School: Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Secondary School  Project: Book Design of the Lau Fau Shan Rural Culture    FIRST RUNNERS-UP   Team: Village Echoes  Member(s): CHAN Hei Yui Adna, Amelia BAY & CHEN Delphia Xinnan  School: Malvern College Hong Kong  Project: Villagescape    *Village Echoes is also the winner of “THE MOST INNOVATIVE” prize.  Team: 紫田文化棋跡  Member(s): CHUN Hei Tung and LIU Wai Yin   School: Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery  Project: The Adventure of Tze Tin Culture    SECOND RUNNERS-UP  Team: Wendie  Member(s): LAM Wing Yee Wendie   School: Youth College (International)  Project: Music from Hong Kong Rural Culture  Team: 客氣之人  Member(s): TSANG Wing Tung Angel, YEE Ka Yung & LEE Tsz Yiu   School: Po On Commercial Association Wong Siu Ching Secondary School  Project: Hakka Candle   THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE  Team: Kaylee  Member(s): CHOI Cheuk Tung   School: Youth College (International)  Project: Rural Plant in Hong Kong   Congratulations to all the awardees! Winners’ exceptional performance not only showcases their competence in design thinking, innovation, and creativity but also reflects their dedication and passion in design. The school wishes them the best of luck in all their future endeavours!   

PolyU Design Show 2025 highlights students’ technology-driven innovations

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Design (PolyU Design) is hosting the PolyU Design Show 2025 from 6 June to 8 August. The Show features over 250 innovative solutions developed by undergraduate and master’s students, many of which integrate technology to address challenges arising from the evolving global landscape. The projects focus on a diverse range of topics, including those related to community, environment, culture and business solutions. The opening ceremony was held on 6 June, bringing together government and corporate representatives, industry partners, alumni, academics and innovators. Prof. Kun-pyo LEE, Dean of PolyU Design, remarked, “This year’s Show highlights how a new generation of young designers is breaking traditional boundaries—integrating product design with healthcare, industrial design with urban planning, and exploring AI ethical issues through communication design. These works not only highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration but also strike a balance between commercial pragmatism and social responsibility, offering compelling creative solutions to address some of the most pressing global challenges and social issues.” Mr Steve LEUNG, Chairman of the School’s Advisory Committee and world-renowned architect, interior and product designer, added, “Design shapes how we live, work, and connect, driving innovation and solving humanity’s greatest challenges. More than ever, we need visionary designers who can foresee and solve complex problems, creating impactful, human-centred solutions.” He believed that young designers are the pioneers shaping our future. The Show’s visual theme, “Zero Anew - Journey Unfolds”, has been crafted by a cross-disciplinary group of graduating students. The vibrant spring embodies design as a cycle of renewal — a dynamic process where experiences are distilled, visions refined, and new creative territories explored, with each exhibit reflecting this journey. The showcased projects include graduating bachelor students’ capstone projects, master students’ advanced research and foundation-year students’ design exploration projects. They demonstrate how PolyU Design students adopt core future skills, such as AI and technological literacy, creative thinking and environmental stewardship in their solutions to contribute to society. Highlighted projects include an AI-driven human-robot system to explore the possibility of further enhancing safety of traditional bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong; a drone-based medical delivery system integrated with public health networks for deployment in remote areas; a comprehensive CPR-AED system with dual training and emergency modes; a one-stop social enterprise app offering AI-assisted live-streaming for novice users; cat boxes and houses for stray cats in the Yau Ma Tei community as safe spaces to gather and temporary stay, while offering greater convenience for caretakers and volunteers to provide regular care; and a zero-waste solution that extracts natural food colouring and freeze-dried pulp from “ugly” fruits and vegetables waste to make healthy biscuits.   Ranked 22nd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject - Art and Design in 2025, PolyU Design has organised its annual design show of student works for over 60 years. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge. Online registration is required. A virtual show is also available on website. For more details, please visit: 2025.polyudesignshow.com.   RePulse, a dual-mode CPR-AED training and emergency kit was designed by CHAN Yi Chun Joyce, a graduating student from BA(Hons) in Product Design programme. This comprehensive system with dual training and emergency modes combines muscle-memory training with foolproof emergency tools to empower more bystanders to deliver lifesaving first-aid effectively. Voices of the Voiceless is a project initiated by CHAU Ching Ngai Harry, a graduating student from the BA(Hons) in Social Design programme. Through in-depth research into the Yau Ma Tei community, the student gained valuable insights into the situation of stray cats. As a result, he developed the “Transitional Housing for Stray Cats” initiative, which provides innovative cat boxes and houses as safe spaces for stray cats to gather and temporary stay. The design also offers greater convenience for caretakers and volunteers to provide regular care.   VEGO is a project led by a group of students from the Master of Design (Innovative Business Design) programme. They extract natural food colouring and freeze-dried pulp from “ugly” fruits and vegetables to make healthy biscuits, while the remaining inedible materials are turned into painting pigments. The project aims to help create a zero-waste economy.   ***END***  

Social Design Students' Findings on Subdivided Flats in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's condensed living spaces pose unique challenges for designers. A group of Social Design (BA) students explored this topic by interviewing Tsuen Wan's subdivided flat residents. They discovered how residents overcome challenges through building networks, sharing resources, and participating in community activities. By utilising second-hand goods, repair practices, and mutual support, these residents demonstrate resilience and creativity, transforming limited spaces into opportunities for connection, adaptability, and growth. In Sunday’s Ming Pao, the students shared their insights on improving the lives of those living in these small flats, offering valuable ideas for better living. Click to read full story now.     

Vertical Studios #VS Montage

READ ONLINE

PolyU Design Unveils Creative Technology Centre in Beijing, Signs MOUs to Boost HK-Beijing Innovation and Talent Exchange

PolyU held the unveiling ceremony for two key centres in Chaoyang District, Beijing on 30 April 2025 — The PolyU Creative Technology Centre (Beijing) and the PolyU PReCIT (Beijing). These centres mark a major step forward in HK-Beijing collaboration across various aspects of creative technology with a focus on AI, the metaverse, professional support, industry-academic partnerships, talent exchange, bringing together top I&T talent to conduct in-depth studies on frontier technology development trends and policymaking in I&T etc. On the same occasion, two MOUs were signed between the School of Design (SD) and the Industrial Culture Development Centre of MIIT (ICDC), as well as the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA). These collaborations will drive innovation by integrating advanced technologies with design and culture, empower SMEs, fostering talent exchange across regions, and strengthening collaborations in research, education, and cultural initiatives. This milestone will advance innovation, talent development, and technology commercialisation between Beijing and Hong Kong, fostering a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration and growth!   Learn more: China News Service - https://polyu.me/4iDKncI Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3ERQpbW ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/3Sdflhb BJ News - https://polyu.me/4d5ltBN China.com - https://polyu.me/438x6V9 Sina HK - https://polyu.me/44hNfsr NetEase - https://polyu.me/4cRkKUy Eastday - https://polyu.me/4cSxo5L Sina - https://polyu.me/3SdOGkk Sohu - https://polyu.me/4362QKy qq - https://polyu.me/4d7bcoH

劏房雖小：今天煮什麼菜？ 食好一點的想像

Our Service Design Cluster year 2 students collaborated with Caritas Community Centre in Tsuen Wan to address the issue of subdivided flats, aiming to design a comprehensive and interscalar intervention strategy from a systemic viewpoint. During the research process, our students inquire into the everyday lives of residents in subdivided flats, working together to explore opportunities for innovative design responses. Read the full article to explore the design story shared by Leung Yuen Tung Constance, who is one of the Service Design cluster year 2 students. Read the full article here(Chinese version available only, Mingpao, 20 April 2025)

PolyU becomes Hong Kong’s first tertiary institution supported by China National Arts Fund to nurture digital art curation talents

（中文版在本頁底部） (24 April 2025) The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has become Hong Kong’s first tertiary institution to receive funding from the prestigious China National Arts Fund 2025 under the art talents training category. The funded Digital Art Curation Talents Training Programme will be launched by the PolyU Research Centre for Cultural and Art Technology (CAT) under the School of Design, with support from the PolyU-NVIDIA Joint Research Centre. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of talent in digital art curation across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and fostering Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.   The Nation’s strategy of prioritising cultural digitalisation, along with the HKSAR Government’s commitment to integrating art and technology into the creative industries, underscore the strong demand for professionals who can navigate both cultural heritage and innovation. Led by Prof. Henry Been-Lirn DUH, Associate Dean (Global and Industry Engagement) of the PolyU School of Design, Director of the Research Centre for Cultural and Art Technology and Director of the PolyU-NVIDIA Joint Research Centre, the Programme is set to launch in the summer of 2025, targeting experienced curators, art management professionals and researchers from Hong Kong and the GBA.   Scholars from PolyU, and universities in Macao and mainland China, as well as experts from art institutions, will provide advanced training in digital art management. This will include lectures on theory, case studies, curatorial practice workshops, field trips, presentations, exhibitions and seminars, which will be held in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The topics will cover the applications of generative artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, immersive technology, and digital spatial design in the field of art and curation, highlighting the revitalisation of traditional art and promotion of digital transformation of cultural industry.   Prof. Henry Duh said, “We are honoured to receive this National funding, which not only sustains our commitment to nurturing digital art curation talents but also acknowledges our team’s contribution to advancing art technology. This Programme will empower the next generation of innovative curators who will inherit and innovate Chinese culture, and integrate creativity and technology to promote cultural exchange between east and west, helping shape the future of the art world. It will also help strengthen art and technology collaboration among GBA cities, which will, in turn, enhance the region’s cultural soft power.”   CAT, housed within the PolyU School of Design, serves as a collaborative platform for academia-industry research, advocating interdisciplinary studies in culture, art and technology. By leveraging Hong Kong’s connection with the GBA, CAT aspires to foster partnerships among researchers, designers, artists and other creative practitioners, cultivating a vibrant environment for artistic activities to expand market opportunities.   ***END*** 理大成首間香港高校獲國家藝術基金資助 培訓數字藝術展覽管理人才 (理大設計學院副院長（環球與企業事務）杜本麟教授帶領的「數字藝術展覽管理人才培訓計劃」旨在為粵港澳大灣區培養新一代數字藝術展覽管理人才。圖為杜教授擔任今年二月舉行的「PolyVerse 文化與藝術科技展覽」策展人，並於開幕儀式致辭。)   2025年4月24日）香港理工大學（理大）成為首間入選2025年國家藝術基金「藝術人才培訓」類別的本地高等院校。獲資助項目「數字藝術展覽管理人才培訓計劃」由設計學院轄下的理大文化與藝術科技研究中心主辦，理大英偉達聯合研究中心支持，旨在為粵港澳大灣區培養新一代數字藝術展覽管理人才，以鞏固香港作為中外文化藝術交流中心的地位。   國家正致力推動文化數字化戰略，香港特區政府亦積極將藝術與科技融入創意產業，反映香港對能兼顧文化保育與創新融合的專業人才需求殷切。由理大設計學院副院長（環球與企業事務）、文化與藝術科技研究中心兼理大英偉達聯合研究中心主任杜本麟教授帶領的「數字藝術展覽管理人才培訓計劃」將於2025年夏季啟動，為香港及大灣區的資深策展人、藝術管理和研究人員提供多元培訓。   來自理大、澳門及內地高校的學者和藝術機構專家，將為學員提供數字藝術展覽管理的進階培訓，包括理論與案例研討講座、策展實踐工作坊、實地考察、成果匯報、展覽及研討會等。培訓活動於香港及深圳兩地舉行，主題涵蓋生成式人工智能、虛擬實境與擴增實境、沉浸式科技、數碼空間等在藝術及策展領域的應用，更強調活化傳統藝術，同時推動文化產業的數碼轉型。   杜本麟教授表示：「很榮幸獲此國家資助，這不僅支持我們實踐培養數字藝術展覽管理人才的目標，也肯定了團隊在推動藝術科技的貢獻。此計劃將培養更多傳承與創新中國文化，結合創意與科技，推動中外文化交流，塑造藝術世界未來的新一代創新策展人。同時，透過兩地導師和學員的互動交流、創新精神分享，亦有助加強大灣區城市之間的藝術科技合作和區域的文化軟實力。」   理大設計學院轄下的文化與藝術科技研究中心，一直致力為學界和業界提供合作平台，促進文化、藝術與科技的跨學科研究。研究中心基於香港與大灣區的密切聯繫，致力推動研究人員、設計師、藝術家和創意工作者的合作，共同創造充滿活力的藝術活動環境，擴展市場機遇。   ***完*** 傳媒查詢 羅珮珊女士 設計學院助理市場經理 電話﹕+852 2766 4925 電郵﹕anita.law@polyu.edu.hk 馮秀芳女士 公共事務經理 電話﹕+852 2766 5197 電郵﹕sf-jess.fung@polyu.edu.hk

PolyU’s study on Hong Kong neon signs culture receives Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award

KWOK BrianThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting research in the transmission of humanities and cultural conservation. A scholar from the PolyU School of Design (PolyU Design) has made outstanding contributions to the study of urban visual culture by photo-documenting neon signs across Hong Kong. His project has been recognised with a prize in popular science publication category of the 9th Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Humanities and Social Sciences) by the Ministry of Education (MoE). Led by Prof. Brian KWOK Sze Hang, Associate Professor of PolyU Design, the project “Fading Neon Lights: An Archive of Hong Kong’s Visual Culture” has meticulously documented the visual culture of Hong Kong’s neon signs. The findings have been published in a book that captures the unique visual allure of neon signs through text and images, while also including details of the collection process. The team has preserved the visual aesthetics and craftsmanship of neon signs through photographic documentation, interviews with veteran neon masters and visits to neon light manufactories. In organising and analysing the data, the team has investigated their development and transformation, as well as the role of these signs in Hong Kong’s socio-cultural landscape, particularly the evolving relationship between streetscapes and consumer culture. The resulting archive, spanning over 60 years of history, showcases the originality, scale and completeness of this unique art form, providing a valuable reference for the history of Hong Kong’s design and arts, as well as its social, economic and cultural development. Prof. Kwok said, “I am honoured to receive this prestigious award, which highlights the impact of our research on the preservation of neon tube making and styling techniques — an intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong, and its contribution to fostering deeper understanding and inspiration in urban visual culture.” Prof. Kwok is a prominent figure in the field of design, with his work receiving widespread recognition. His research interests focus on user-centred design and visual culture, encompassing a broad range of areas, including health communication design, Chinese typography, wayfinding design, spatial representation in Hong Kong, and the visual culture of neon signs. Established by the MoE in 1995, the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Humanities and Social Sciences) are the most prestigious in the fields of philosophy and social sciences in China. They are awarded every three years to higher education institutions nationwide and aim to recognise researchers who have made outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.   Media contact  

Welcome aboard to The 19th School of Design Student Association - Diorama

Welcome aboard to our 19th Student Association, 'Diorama'! We are excited to have you work towards enriching student life at SD!The new board is formed by a group of PolyU Design students from Design Foundation years 1. The members are: President – Leung Pik Sheuk, Althea External Vice President – Tang Chloe, Chloe Internal Vice President – Chan Yin Hei, Bao Financial Secretary – Lau Sze Hon, Toby External Secretary – Wong Yan Yuk, Bacon Promotion Secretary – Hui Sze Man, Cman Publication Secretary – Cheung Yat Nga, Enya Amenities Secretary – Wu Yuzhen, Sally Recreational Secretary – Kong Wai Wa, Kenny Welfare Secretary – Li Cheuk Lam, Denise Diorama Instagram

PolyU Design Recognised with Multiple Honours in the Prestigious iF Design Award

Prof. Stephen Wang's projects, EmoFriends and the Transparent Knee Guard, were both awarded in the category of Product Concepts in the Professional Concept discipline with their innovative design and cutting-edge sensing technology. Additionally, Prof. Roberto Vilchis Echeverri's Flocks of Type was honoured in the Typography/Signage category of the Communication discipline for its amazing calendar design that pushed the boundaries of typography. The iF Design Award is one of the most prestigious international design awards, covering a wide range of fields. This award aims to highlight the global significance and societal relevance of design while also promoting innovation to create a brighter future. The winning projects from PolyU Design are one of the best among the almost 11,000 submissions from 66 countries – an impressive achievement that underlines the highly competitive nature of this award. Awarded Project Emofriends By Prof. Stephen Wang and his team Leveraging patented and innovative Emosense technology, it monitors stress levels via touch, offering AI-driven, emotion-aware conversations and feedback. With advanced stress tracking and customisable features, EmoFriends provides emotional support and companionship. This innovative solution enhances emotional well-being with accessible, personalised care in a sustainable, user-friendly design. This outstanding projects also won the gold award in the HK Techathon+ 2025 and Global Design Awards. Transparent Knee Guard By Prof. Stephen Wang and his team The Transparent Knee Guard revolutionary rehabilitation aid is designed for athletes and healthcare applications and features a transparent and flexible structure. The knee guard incorporates advanced technology to monitor joint function and support customized treatment plans. It provides valuable insights through actionable data visualisation, empowering medical research and enabling informed decision-making. This project also awarded the MicroFund Top Performer, Good Design US and Global Design Awards. Flocks of Type By Prof. Roberto Vilchis Echeverri and his team The Flocks of Type is the PolyU Design 60th Anniversary Calendar, featuring an innovative design that pushed the boundaries of typography. The design was inspired by the movement of flocks of migrating birds in the sky, as well as the typographic experiments from Swiss and German designers of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly Emil Ruder and Wolfgang Weingart. This project also awarded in Golden Pin Design Award 2024.