Academic Collaborations
Seven mainland institutes join Bachelor+Master pattern; dual degrees with Nanjing, SJTU, UST (Philippines), and partnership with Seoul National U.
60 Years Designing Time
PolyU Design Impact Report 2024
An Integrated Vision to Design Our Future
2024
A Landmark Year
In 2024, PolyU Design proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary. From its origins as a local design department to its current stature as one of the world's leading design schools, PolyU Design has spent six decades cultivating generations of designers, innovators, and leaders.
This annual review highlights what we achieved during this landmark year, the interdisciplinary spirit we have fostered, and the integrated vision that will guide our future.
Catalysts
Teaching and Learning
We are charting the future of our design education through distinctive learning pathways, culturally attuned global collaborations, and industry-responsive initiatives. With a 24% growth in postgraduate enrollment, Hong Kong’s first Doctor of Design program, and award-winning student projects, we are shaping a future where interdisciplinary learning meets impactful design solutions.
The academic calibre of our students has shown remarkable growth, with average incoming student scores increasing by 7% between 2019 and 2023. Our research postgraduate community has expanded to 88 members, including three prestigious Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme awardees, marking a 24% increase in enrollment.
Growing Academic Reputation
2024/25 marks the launch of Hong Kong's first DDes Doctor of Design program, tailored for senior professionals engaging in practice-based research.
Additionally, we're preparing to introduce an innovative BSc Architectural Studies programme for 2025/26, integrating AI, BIM, and GIS with sustainable design principles in collaboration with PolyU's Department of Building and Real Estate.
Broadening Breadth and Depth
Our MSc in Innovative Multimedia Entertainment has been reimagined for 2024/25, doubling in size to meet growing demand in XR and gaming industries, and establishing dual-degree partnerships with Nanjing University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The program now emphasizes AI, data science, and multimedia technologies.
Enhanced Postgraduate Education
Student Achievement & Innovation
Our students have earned 47 prestigious awards including Architecture MasterPrize honours, Red Dot's, European Product Design Awards, and Graphis New Talent Award. 255 students engaged in 26 client-sponsored projects, resulting in three licensed designs in 2023/24 and four for the upcoming 2024/25.
Strategic Industry Partnerships
Our network of 50+ annual partnerships demonstrates our commitment to industry-aligned education, producing designers who deliver market-ready solutions while advancing sustainability goals.
Academic Collaborations
Seven mainland institutes committed to Bachelor+Master pattern, including Chongqing University, Minzu University of China, and Hubei Institute of Fine Arts. Dual degree partnerships established with Nanjing University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Enhanced Learning Experience
A new dedicated teaching fund supports AI-powered learning innovations and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Our alumni mentorship programme has yielded exceptional results, with one team earning a Red Dot Award for Brands & Communication Design under the guidance of distinguished alumni.
Design Research Frontiers
Research and Knowledge Transfer
We have continued to refine our understanding of our potential impact and have made significant progress in advancing interdisciplinary design research, with a substantial increase in the number of external grants received to date. Notable initiatives include our work on social robotics for mental health applications and our partnerships with leading international institutions, both of which contribute to our overall excellence through the innovative faculty and collaborations.
Social Robotics
Leading an initiative in Social Robots with Embedded Large Language Models Releasing Stress among the Hong Kong Population that integrates LLMs with empathy-driven design to revolutionize mental health support through social robotics.
Our largest single research grant to date, led by Prof. Johan F. Hoorn
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PolyU Design Research Milestone
Secured unprecedented HKD 25.5 Million in external grants, advancing innovations from healthcare solutions to countryside preservation.
Continued growth in external grants and internal competitive research grants
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Global Research Network Expansion
Established strategic partnerships with world-leading institutions including MIT, TU Delft, KAIST, and Tsinghua University, creating specialized research hubs focused on inclusive design and innovation.
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International Collaborative Research Funding
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New Partnerships
Art-Tech Odyssey: the Creative Possibilities at the Intersection of Art and Technology
Designpreneurship Community launch
MDes Innovative Business Design collaborates with German brand, UTS and Thammasat
PolyU Design and Ewha Womans University Collaborate on Exploring Spatial Design
PolyU Design and Hanyang University to enhance interdisciplinary education
New collaboration kicks off with Wuhan University of Technology
Distinguished Faculty Recognition
Part of our 15 international research and creative awards for the year
Recognitions
Prof. Yan Luximon Awarded
Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo)
Her AI-Driven Ergonomic Headwear Customisation System ensures a personalised fit and enhanced comfort for headwear products, including eyewear and helmets. It is a significant advancement in delivering headwear that caters to individual needs. By incorporating innovative technology, the system improves the inclusiveness and design of headwear customisation. The project was from AiDLab established under the AIR@InnoHK cluster in collaboration with the Royal College of Art, UK.
Mr Brian Kwok Awarded
Merit Honour for "City of Scripts 2" at 2024 ADC Awards in New York City
The book features research on type design in Hong Kong, interviewing 8 local designers. It provides valuable information on Chinese type design, with a minimalistic geometric cover using hot stamping.
Dr Sandy Ng Published
In a thought-provoking interview with the New Books Network, Dr Ng delved into the fascinating insights from her latest publication, "Portrayals of Women in Early Twentieth-Century China".
Published by the Amsterdam University Press, the book explores the role played by women, and their visual representations, in introducing modern design and modern ways of living to China. It investigates this through an analysis of how women and modern design were represented in the advertisements, photographs, and films of Republican-era China. It is now available on podcast.
Mr Roberto Vilchis Echeverri Awarded
"Flocks of Type" - the Calendar to celebrate PolyU Design's 60th anniversary - was awarded Design Mark at the 2024 Golden Pin Design Award.
'I am fascinated by nature and by how we can observe the passage of time in it: the seasons and the change of colours, but also by observing the behaviour of animals', he says.
Alumni Leading By Example
Our alumni continue to make waves globally
Digital Media Alumni Triumph at Golden Horse
"Monsoon Blue" (夏夢迴), directed by alumni CHAN Ka Yin Ellis and WONG Hiu Kit Jay, with producer KWOK Wing Kin Donald, won Best Animated Short Film at the 60th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival.
The film also garnered multiple international accolades including the ASIA Grand Prize at DigiCon6 Asia and Best Animated Short Film at Kuandu International Animation Festival 2023, showcasing Hong Kong's emerging animation talent on the global stage.
Dennis Chan
Founder of jewelry brand Qeelin, unveiled a partnership with the Dunhuang Academy and its China Dunhuang Grottoes Conservation Research Foundation, with the funds going to research into Sui and Tang dynasty jewelry discovered in the Dunhuang Caves.
Read Coverage
Cindy Chan and Heinrik Ng
Co-founders of Deep Food launched their 'Board of Dinner' at London Design Festival and Dutch Design Week: An interactive menu/recipe generator aiming to discuss AI's potential as an explainable, transparent, and controllable tool to foster empathy.
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A Year of Celebration
Sixty years of shaping minds that shape worlds deserve more than cake and candles.
2024 was a year-long reflection on the School's legacy and aspirations. It began with the launch of a refreshed identity centred on Question, Question, Question, emphasising critical thinking and future-readiness in the age of AI. The One to Ten alumni exhibition celebrated graduates’ diverse contributions, while the PolyU Design Show 2024 showcased innovative student projects and the evolution of this iconic Hong Kong design education event. The Global Research in Design Innovation Exhibition showcased future possibilities and the Time-capsuled Histories Publication and Exhibition revisited milestones and breakthroughs. Finally, the PolyU Design 60th Anniversary Gala united the community to honour a shared legacy and inspire the next six decades.
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Designing Bold Futures
For six decades, PolyU Design has been part of Hong Kong's creative journey. Today, we're nurturing designers who probe beyond the apparent - who question fundamentals before solutions, who traverse disciplines to address complex challenges, and who envision more sustainable futures. Our students and researchers work at the intersection of technology, culture, and human needs, developing solutions that enhance living environments, advance technological accessibility, and strengthen community bonds.
Join Us in Shaping Design's Future
We invite you to contribute to the next chapter of design innovation. As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to developing designers who are:
Transdisciplinary innovators who bridge diverse domains of knowledge
Front-end leaders who define foundational questions
Inclusive enablers who facilitate positive behavioural change
Creative future-envisioners who shape preferable possibilities
Designing our future awaits your partnership.
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