Programmes

Candice Hui

Graduate of Higher Diploma in Product Design

Candice Hui was imparted practical design knowledge when she was getting her Higher Diploma in Product Design at HKDI. After graduation in 2009, she furthered her education with the top-up degree of BA (Hons) in Product Design at Birmingham City University, followed by MA Industrial Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in the UK.

Immersed in a strong artistic atmosphere and different traditional cultures in the UK, Candice was inspired to become a designer-maker. Believing that “Everybody can do something”, she created the brand “paper diamond®” with the notion to ‘Redefine Ordinary’ at the L’Art de la Séduction Exhibition in Paris in 2011, specialising in making stylish and distinctive paper art and jewellery. Even ordinary material like paper can shine given good design and craftsmanship.

From sourcing fine papers around the world, to cutting, folding, assembling and re-touching, Candice insists on finishing each product with her hands. Each tiny 'diamond' is folded delicately with a personal touch, creating a special piece each time. She has been invited by art fairs and renowned companies for exhibitions and collaboration projects. In 2017, to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Miramar Group, Candice transformed the space of one of the Group’s restaurants with a fashionable twist. In 2018, Candice designed a paper installation with her signature diamond in pink for LOG-ON Valentine's promotion.

Lee Man Kit Kenneth

Graduate of Higher Diploma in Product Design

After getting a Higher Diploma in Product Design at HKDI in 2008 and working for a few years, Kenneth pursuited a top-up degree at Birmingham City University. He found his true passion in design and won the reutable RSA Student Design Award in 2016. Being a great observer, Kenneth looks thoroughly into problems and does not make compromise when figuring out solutions. His award winning work “50/50” was inspired when he was observing his father handling farm produce with plastic bags. He found out plastic bags hinder the preservation of harvest and destroy the environment, and decided to design an environmental friendly replacement.

In the design process, he tried different materials and considered the pros and cons of each to identify the ideal option, which he eventually found to be areca leaves, which are durable, environmental friendly, good in absorbing moisture to keep produce fresh longer, and more importantly, cheap in cost and easy to find. His persistence and creativity led him to complete his design and won the award. It’s also his observation and devotion to provide perfect solution that brought him the recognition by judges.

Philip Wong

Graduate of Higher Diploma in Product Design

Philip graduated with a Higher Diploma in Product Design from HKDI in 2002, followed by a BA (Hons) Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master Degree in Engineering Business Management from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His devotion and passion in product design brought him the Red Dot Design Award in 2013.

Philip believes a successful designer has to be curious, open minded to different cultures and values and has good time management skills. The fact that he didn’t settle in Hong Kong for a rather constrained environment is an embodiment of his belief. Instead, he took a step forward to learn more about Fine Arts and experience a new culture in Beaux-Arts Marshille, France.

In 2010, Philip became the first Hong Kong designer at Lexon, a pioneering design company in France. He designed the minimalistic Flow radio in 2013 which limits the design to an absolute minimum with a transparent case, allowing users to see the industrial elements. The radio won the Red Dot Design Award in the same year with encouragement from Marc Bertier, the renowned designer of the Tykho radio. Philip currently works in France as a product designer.

Derek Ng

Graduate of Higher Diploma in Industrial Design

Derek Ng is one of the few automotive designers from Hong Kong. After graduating from Higher Diploma in Industrial Design at HKDI in 2004, Derek pursued a top-up degree of BA (Hons) Automotive Design at Coventry University in UK, followed by Master of Arts in Transportation Design at Umea University in Sweden. With a science background, Derek thought that the study of Industrial Design enabled him to combine his interest in design with science.

At HKDI, he learnt knowledge in various areas from preliminary study, drawing, to prototype production and following up with outside production specialist. The training simulating the actual workflow of product design brought him great satisfaction. In 2010, he won the Gold and Bronze Award in Best Harmonious Category at the “Science & Future” International Concept Car Design Contest. After that, he became an automotive designer at Luxgen Motor Company Limited, a big automaker in Taiwan. There he had the rare opportunity to work on a modified car project. After 2 years of development and testing, the “LUXGEN U7 Turbo” modified car was available in the market. Whenever Derek saw his own product in Taiwan or overseas, he would take a photo with the car, not only for his memory but also research for better performance of the next project.

In 2017, Derek participated as an alumnus automotive designer in the solar-powered car SOPHIE VI design project developed by VTC Engineering Discipline. SOPHIE VI completed the World Solar Challenge 2017 in Australia and finished in an outstanding fourth place.

Soilworm Lai

Graduate of Product Design and Technology

“Design is life, inspired by life, originates from life.”

A student of the Product Design and Technology programme at HKDI, Soilworm was an active participant in various special activities to enrich the learning experience he was offered by HKDI in collaboration with industry partners. An example of this is an exchange trip to “The Design and Emotion Workshop” in the Netherlands, which dramatically expanded his horizons.

Soilworm also entered competitions and picked up numerous national design awards. He won the Design-A Bag Competition 2010 with his Woman Party Bag, was a Finalist in the 21st and 27th Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition organised by Hong Kong Trade Development Council, took 1st Prize in the National Final of the 2nd Design and Make Competition for University Students in the Central Southern Provinces and Regions and First Prize in the 2nd Design and Make Competition in the Central Southern Provinces and Regions Regional Competition – Hong Kong, to name just a few.

After graduation from HKDI in 2003, Soilworm continued his studies at the School of Design in Hong Kong Polytechnic University and gained a BA (Hons) in Art in Design (Industrial and Product Design). Then, having studied packaging and product design for five years, in 2011 Soilworm teamed up with a partner to found his own brand ‘Stickyline’, which featured his distinctive paper art and design work. Since then, he has established a name for himself designing paper stage costumes for famous local singers. Soilworm loves what he is doing and is now charting a course to success as a professional product designer.

Chak Yun Hei & Hung Hoi, Rex

Graduates of Product Design and Technology

“The best design is the one which provides the best solution to a problem.”

Chak Yun Hei and Rex Hung graduated with a Higher Diploma in Product Design and Technology in 2001 and 2006 respectively. Rex joined Canon Electronics Business Machines (H.K.) Co., Ltd after graduation and worked in a team led by Yun Hei. In 2006, Rex pursued his BA(Hons) degree in Product Design (Industrial Design) at the University of Central England. In 2016, Yun Hei started to work in TCL Corporate Research (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd as the Head of Design.

With innovative ideas and creative design, their design “X Mark II Calculator” won the “Red Dot: Best of the Best 2013” award for Canon Electronics Business Machines (H.K.) Co., Ltd. Their products have also been exhibited in HKDI Gallery’s “Every Product Tells a Story: Untold Matters of Red Dot Award-Winning Designs” exhibition. They believe that it is important to have a clear understanding of their company’s brand vision and design direction. Their designs combine style and aesthetics with great effort to reduce the impact on the environment.

Rex loves problem-solving and he is eager to find new ways to help people solve problems by means of design. They are committed to their career as product designers and devote themselves to the mission of enhancing people’s standard of living.

Tse Yan Lamb

Tse Yan Lamb
Student of Product Design

"Hard work doesn’t guarantee success; but you won’t get anywhere without it."

Lamb’s interest in creative solutions emerged whilst she was in secondary school, and it grew further when she pursued her design studies at the HKDI. As a design student, Lamb didn’t just sit and listen. Instead, she worked hard on her research outside school hours, and she sought feedback from her tutors. With their encouragement, she also seised opportunities to participate in several design and culture-related projects and competitions. Lamb’s positive attitude and creativity have gained her high recognition in both local competitions and international challenges. All these learning experiences have familiarised her in advance about practices in the design industry, and they have allowed to apply her professional knowledge in creating innovative concepts.

Despite having won the Seal of Distinction in the red dot design awards 2011 – Design Concept and the latest HKDI Young Design Talent Education Award from the Hong Kong Design Centre, Lamb will continue to study and explore the world in her quest to prepare herself to become a product designer.

Tam Ho Yin

Tam Ho Yin
Graduate of Product Design

"Attitude is altitude. Design is a lifestyle full of inspiration and passion. Life will not be gorgeous without design."

Eddy’s interest in product design began when he was a child and he created his first product. He was inspired by the artistry of his father, who ran a business in jade handcrafting. Eddy believes that product design should be closely related to our daily life and a brilliant design can improve the quality of life. With this strong interest and passion, he chose to study for a Higher Diploma in Product Design and Technology at the HKDI.

With the great attention and guidance from HKDI's all Product design tutors, Eddy’s creativity and positive attitude was recognised in various competitions. During his study at the HKDI, he was the Individual Group Champion in the 13th Hong Kong Household Electrical Appliances Design and Innovation Competition, and won the Hong Kong Designers Association Design Student of the Year Award 2012 competing with more than 50 design students from 17 design institutes. Eddy was awarded a scholarship for his professional development. Interested in cross-cultural design, Eddy is planning to integrate his design concept with his father’s jade business. He believes that trendy and creative design will be an additional element that attracts the young customers.

Eddy is continuing his studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, while actively participating in various design projects and undertaking freelance work. In 2012, he joined a trip to Milan as part of a Hong Kong Design Year programme, which inspired him to apply Chinese cultural elements to modern product design. His goal is to be a Design Director in ten years’ time and through thus career he hopes to promote the cultural and spiritual values of China through his work.

Alan Yip

Alan Yip

"The ultimate goal for product designers is to improve people's quality of life, and if you design something people really need you will find a market for it."

"I'm a 100% Hong Kong made product designer." said Alan when he introduced himself.

From a student to a designer, from founding his company to owning his brand, Alan's driving philosophy is NOT to design any product without real function. "Design something people really need would find you a market for it." This is Alan's motto.

He said to young people, "If your designs show no characters or personal style, you can't be a master."

With these strong beliefs, Alan was awarded the 2008 China Red Star Design Award - Most Innovative Design, the 2007 HKSAR Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service and the 2007 VTC Outstanding Alumni Award. His designs were exhibited in Holland, UK, Japan, Korea and China and have been presented in many museums, books and media worldwide.

Chelsia Lau

Chelsia Lau

"The teaching approach combined flexibility with discipline, providing me with the creative freedom to break through boundaries!"

As Chief Designer of Ford Motor Company and named by AutoWeek magazine as “one of the top ten secret people who will change your world”, Chelsia successfully distinguishes herself in the male-dominated car industry and in the Western world.

According to Chelsia, "No matter what your profession is, passion and determination are equally important; otherwise you will easily give up when facing difficulties and obstacles".

After graduating from Lee Wai Lee Technical Institute in 1987, Chelsia continued her studies at the Art Centre College of Design in Pasadena, California. In 1992, she joined Ford Motor Company as Junior Designer and within just eight years she was promoted to Chief Designer.

Chelsia's advice for young design students in Hong Kong is that "language proficiency is important in building up a career in design. It is crucial for effective communication with others and enhances work efficiency".

Benson Tsang

Benson Tsang

"Respect your profession; be passionate about your profession."

Blessed are those who enjoy their work. Benson Tsang is one of the lucky ones. Benson feels very passionate about interior design and he describes his projects as sons and daughters. With his enthusiasm for his work, he is always ready to learn and overcome difficulties. He sees every detail in daily life as related to design and says that this is where his inspiration comes from.

Starting off as a junior designer, Benson learned both the technical aspects of interior design and the skill of communicating with clients. He now owns an interior design company, specialising in designing commercial and residential projects including medical facilities and clinics.

Benson's forte is his attention to detail, listening to clients to determine their needs, and always thinking from the client's point of view to ensure their requirements are met.

He believes that "good communication with clients is the key to success in the interior design industry. Different from artists, designers do not create fantasies but should be customer-focused".

Alfred Chan

Alfred Chan

"Design originates from continuously searching for solutions. "

Alfred Chan's career began after graduating from HKDI, when he was employed by a watch design company. Alfred knew that making a watch, though small in size, involves a great deal of professional and technical knowledge - a combination of art and technology. Nowadays, the watch design industry not only focuses on product design, but also emphasises brand building and strategic planning.

He encourages young designers to keep on practising, creating and improving. The steps necessary for expressing one's ideas are to "observe, feel and draw it out". Alfred joined an apprenticeship programme in Switzerland. His creative works are inspired by daily observation, market trends and a people-oriented design philosophy.

He encouraged young designers to keep on practising, creating and improving. The steps for expressing one's ideas are "observe, feel and draw it out".

Alfred joined an apprenticeship programme to Switzerland. His creative works are inspired by daily observation, market trends and people-oriented design philosophy.

Yip Siu Lun, Alan

Alan Yip
Graduate of Timepiece Design and Branding

"The daily obstacles you come across can become an incredible inspiration."

The red dot design award is one of the most prestigious international awards in the field of product design, awarded to professional and student designers for quality innovation and design conception.

As the only recipient of an academic award in the design concept category in 2010, Alan proved his talents with his Birdgazer design, a pair of binoculars combining a digital bird guide, digital camera and a timepiece with recording function.

Birdgazer, a binocular combining digital bird guide, digital camera and timepiece with recording function.

Alan developed the idea for his design in the final year of his higher diploma. With his own diligence and the support of his tutors and peers, he actualised his design concept and made his wish come true. "Birdgazer will be affixed with a permanent red dot design label to testify to its international appeal and innovative design concept. It is a turning point in my design development". This experience has confirmed Alan's determination to enter the product design profession and the direction of his future career pathway.