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.

Li Ka Shing Design & Innovation Centre conducts design thinking workshops for Cathay Hackathon participants

On 6th November, The Design Thinking Workshop of Cathay Hackathon 2023 was hosted by PolyU Design's Li Ka Shing Design & Innovation Centre, PolyU KTEO and Cathy. The workshop, led by Mr Kevin Denny, Director of the Centre and Professor of Practice (Social Innovation), engaged students from various universities in immersive learning focused on design thinking and innovation. The Li Ka Shing Design & Innovation Centre is newly established by PolyU Design to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. The collaboration with Cathay aims to unite aviation and technology enthusiasts to create innovative solutions by collaborating on design processes and showcasing them to industry leaders. Participants in the workshop were encouraged to undergo a thorough design process. More groundbreaking concepts are anticipated during the Cathay Hackathon 2023 on 18-19 November.  

Art-Tech Odyssey: the Creative Possibilities at the Intersection of Art and Technology

As digitalisation continues to shape our society, the intersection of art and technology is at the forefront. The PolyU Research Centre for Cultural and Art Technology (CAT) hosted the opening ceremony for its inaugural exhibition of "Researching the Future: The Academic Convergence of Art and Technology" and “The Academic Convergence of Art and Technology” Symposium on 11 December 2023.   The exhibition was held at PolyU from 11 December to 31 December 2023. It is a showcase of innovative research by scholar-artists from renowned Asian universities, highlighting the seamless integration of art and technology. Participating scholar-artists including Prof. KAN Tai-keung, SBS (PolyU), Prof. INAMI Masahiko (The University of Tokyo), Dr GAO Feng (Peking University), Dr KANG Yiyun (KAIST, South Korea), Dr KHOO Eng Tat (National University of Singapore), Dr LAI Mei-kei (Macao Polytechnic University) used computer chips, sensor devices, AI, computer vision and engineering to create captivating landscapes, surreal realms and immersive soundscapes. These creations reflect on the spiritual aspects of technology, express humanistic concern and showcase a wide range of art-tech possibilities.   On the opening event, Prof. INAMI Masahiko from The University of Tokyo presented JIZAI ARMS performance that has amazed many guests. “The Academic Convergence of Art and Technology” Symposium will be followed in the afternoon.   6 featured scholar-artists and guest speaker Prof. TAN Liang (Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts) shared their insights on artistic research in the field of cultural and art technology.   About the exhibition

Another Amazing Education Corner Wrapped: Celebrating local intangible cultural heritage with secondary schools

The annual Education Corner Creative Workshop is a concurrent event of the Business of Design Week. The series of hands-on experience aimed at increasing secondary school students' interest and participation in design and creativity. Activities delivered by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design, took place during 1-9 Dec 2023 was a success. Led by Benjamin Kwok and Benjamin To, two of our Product Design alumni, participants learned the fundamentals of flower-lantern paper crafting technique, newest 3DP technology and the development from traditional to modern neon light craftmanship — the importance of keeping Hong Kong intangible cultural heritage alive. Students, participants and our workshop crew had laughs and bonded over shared passion for design and craft, with no stress and all joy. These creative young souls continue to amaze our facilitators and ambassadors with their wild imagination and wealth of knowledge: thinking out of the box to create even more intricate patterns with their own personal touch and applying mathematics formulas to their designs, who would have thought of finding Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometry calculations in such unexpected atmosphere! Yet another amazing Education Corner Creative Workshop wrapped and we are already anticipating the next edition! Throughout the year, PolyU Design holds numerous talks and workshops to help secondary students recognise their goals and find their future paths, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @polyudesignug or reach out to sdmktg@polyu.edu.hk.   SNAPSHOTS Workshop A: Enlighten Future Craft - Christmas Tree Lantern DIY with Traditional Paper Crafting & 3D Printing   Workshop B: Modern Neon Sign Workshop

PolyU Design Alumni excel at DFA Young Design Talent Award 2023

We are delighted to announce that our young alumni and fresh graduates achieved immense success at the DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award 2023. It is truly an incredible recognition of their works in design.   These proud winners include: Yau Kwok Keung, BA (Hons) in Visual Communication Design 2011/2012 CreateSmart Young Design Talent Award 2023   Lee Hiu Hei, Hazel, BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior Design 2017/2018 Young Design Talent Special Mention Award 2023   Chuk Chi Wai, Vincent, BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior Design 2022/2023 PolyU School of Design Young Design Talent Award 2023   Lee Annie, a graduate of BA (Hons) in Communication Design 2022/2023 Young Design Talent Special Mention Award 2023   The DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award, organised by Hong Kong Design Centre, acknowledges and celebrates Hong Kong's outstanding young designers every year. Winners are offered financial support to undergo overseas design experiences and expected to bring their enhanced skills back to contribute to Hong Kong.   Congratulations!

為社會創新而設計，但為什麼而社會創新?

(Chinese version available only)   作者：陳錦輝   近十年，「社會創新」（social innovation）在香港漸漸成形，愈來愈多年輕人和非政府機構投身其中，建立起一套獨特的生態和操作：公共或私人資金、種子基金、孵化器（incubator）、政府政策、研究、大學課程、社區設計實驗室、社企、影響力評估、比賽與競爭。「社創」亦開始變成一個具有影響力的公共詞彙。一個親身體驗的例子：筆者任教於理大設計學院的Social Design，而Social Design於歐美許多設計學院甚至政府機構中，已成重要一環…… 閱讀全文   文章來源：信報財經新聞—文化論政(2022年12月6日)

Digital Media alums’ “Monsoon Blue" wins Golden Horse Best Animated Short Film award

We are proud to announce that “Monsoon Blue”(夏夢迴), winner of the Best Animated Short Film at the 60th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival is production by our alumni of BA(Hons) in Digital Media. The directors are CHAN Ka Yin Ellis (2013) and WONG Hiu Kit Jay (2012), and the producer is KWOK Wing Kin Donald (2012). Other graduates from the class of 2022 CHOW Hiu Yim Cici, HO Tsz Ching Helen and WONG Siu Hei also made valuable contributions to the production.   The animated film also received other accolades: ASIA Grand Prize, Hong Kong Gold & Animation Best Story, 25th DigiCon6 Asia Best Animated Short Film Award, Kuandu International Animation Festival 2023 Gold Award , The 10th Animation Support Program Taichung International Animation Festival 2023 – Nomination Animakom FEST 2023 - Official Selection   “Monsoon Blue” is an amazing work you should not miss! Watch trailer   Congratulations to the awardees and Digital Media teaching team!