HKDI Atelier
HKDI Atelier is a centre of innovation at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), a member institution of Hong Kong’s Vocational Training Council. HKDI Atelier fosters the close collaboration between industry, academia, and research. Through feature projects, HKDI’s designers, creators, and researchers bring together innovation, aesthetics, craft, culture, as well as technology to augment Hong Kong’s standards in craftsmanship and applied research in design. It endeavours to set professional benchmarks of design locally, in the Greater Bay Area, as well as nationally and in the Asia Pacific Region.
Virtual production
It is Hong Kong's first dedicated educational facility for cinematic arts technology. Spanning 9,000 square feet, it features ARRI cameras, Samsung micro LED displays, and computer-controlled lighting systems. The studio connects academia with the film industry, empowering aspiring filmmakers with hands-on experience to excel in professional production and shape the future of storytelling.
PostureSense
Enhancing athletic posture, innovative sensing device designed by HKDI wins awards at the Red Dot Award and the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva
Smart Temperature-Controllable Modular Vest
Hong Kong Design Institute and Local Start-Up Project Kontemp Ltd Take Top Honours at Red Dot Awards for Smart Temperature-Controllable Modular Vest Award-winning “Project Kontemp” is a wearable innovation that blends Traditional Chinese Medicine and smart tech to help users regulate body temperature in extreme climates
Virtual idol
Vi was created using AI technology, so just like a regular singer, she has photos and videos on social media and can move, dance, and sing. The student team put a great deal of effort into the details, giving Vi subtle and expressive facial expressions.
Capabilities
Discover our capabilities that bring ideas to life.
Artisan Techniques & Textile Mastery Collection
Spotlights exceptional craftsmanship through exquisite embroidery, embellishment, and textile techniques. It emphasizes hand-stitched motifs, luxurious threadwork, material quality, and skillful execution.
Cheongsam / Qungua / Denim (Heritage Couture Collection)
Features timeless historical and ethnical pieces, including cheongsam, ornate Kwan Kwa wedding attire with symbolic motifs like dragons and phoenixes, and regional ceremonial wear. These preserve cultural traditions and inspire modern reinterpretations.
Contemporary Designer & Brand Legacy Collection
Showcases modern fashion evolution with iconic branded pieces from renowned designers and labels (e.g., Chanel, Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garçons). It focuses on garment construction and design, highlighting fashion legends from different eras who have redefined silhouettes, tailoring, and aesthetic innovation.
Ceramic / Glass / Jewellery / Wood
Through the application of 3D digital technology, the project enables personalized refinement of craft products in areas such as ceramics, jewellery, wood, and glass. It aims to expand design possibilities, promote innovation, and enhance user engagement through the integration of creative craftsmanship and advanced digital processes.
Future Living
Pioneers Future Living through human-centered design and material innovation. Fostering inclusive co-living prototypes for dense urban contexts, develop sustainable hybrids materials, and create ergonomic, adaptive spaces. Blending well-being, sustainability, and advanced prototyping to address global challenges.
Generative AI
The creative use of artificial intelligence to generate images, videos and music. By combining human creativity with machine intelligence, we explore new workflows and possibilities in visual development, character design, and storytelling.
Immersive Design
Creating multisensory environments that captivate users through spatial storytelling, interactive media, sound, light, and digital technology. Through designing transformative experiences that respond to human perception and behavior, immersive design redefines how we connect with spaces, narratives, and each other.
IP Implementation
A revolutionary development process that transforms character essence and narrative universes into profoundly touching physical experiences.
Live Show Design
The integration of digital media, stagecraft, and interactive technologies to create unforgettable live experiences. By blending virtual elements with real-time performance, we craft innovative shows that captivate audiences with immersive visuals, dynamic storytelling, and sensory engagement.
Location-based VR
An immersive experience that blends physical environments with tailored virtual realities through the integration of spatial computing, motion tracking, and real-time interactivity. By designing interactive narratives and custom-built spaces, we explore the boundaries of storytelling, education, and entertainment.
New Material Application
Advances New Material Applications with innovative archives and research & development (R&D). We develop sustainable composites, smart wearables, and responsive finishes for various fields. Our prototyping expertise drives commercialisation, fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations for industry trends
Pop Culture
Employ meme decoding, cross-media remixing, and immersive storytelling to create virally disseminating limited editions and experiential environments.
Retail Experience
Drives new models of future retail through design innovation and intelligent technology, integrating physical and digital dimensions. Through immersive environments, personalized consumer experiences, and adaptive spatial design, it redefines the relationship between brands and consumers, fostering new dialogues in retail culture and design practice.
Silver Economy
With design innovation and empathy at its core, this initiative drives interdisciplinary research and development in the field of aging society. Through human-centered design and evidence-based exploration, it pioneers creative solutions and future care models that enrich the lives and well-being of older adults.
Social Innovation
Drives Social Innovation with inclusive design solutions. We explore co-living prototypes for dense cities, empower marginalized communities, and integrate human well-being with sustainability. Our participatory workshops and prototyping foster community engagement for equitable, resilient futures.
Spatial Video
An immersive 3D video format that captures depth and spatial information, allowing viewers to experience content with a sense of presence and dimension. It can be viewed on devices like Apple Vision Pro, allowing viewers to enjoy a realistic playback experience.
Sustainability
Leading a sustainable future with circular design and innovative thinking. Promoting renewable systems, environmentally friendly materials, and smart manufacturing to create a low-carbon and inclusive new lifestyle. Integrating design, technology, and community power to practice ecological balance and social responsibility. Unlocking the infinite possibilities of green transformation through creativity and action.
Video Wall Motion Graphics
The creation of large-scale, synchronized visual displays that bring motion graphics to life on video walls through high-resolution LED/LCD arrays, real-time content rendering, and multi-screen synchronization technologies. By designing dynamic animations, interactive visuals, and immersive content, we expand the possibilities of public spaces, branding, and experiential marketing.
Virtual Idol
The development of digital performers brought to life through real-time motion capture, facial tracking, and lately Generative AI technologies. By exploring virtual character creation, performance design, and audience interaction, we redefine the boundaries between reality and digital presence in entertainment.
Virtual Production
A revolutionary filmmaking workflow which adapts state-of-the-art media technologies such as extended reality, real-time rendering, optical camera tracking, pixel mapping, etc to lively create realistic moving images.
Facilities
Cutting-edge facilities that amplify creative output.
Comics Library
The Comics Library is a dynamic hub for comics education, bridging academia and industry and nurturing emerging talent in an inclusive, creative space. We welcome students and the community to read, discover and enjoy diverse comics, with screenings, recommendations and artist-led workshops fostering cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary collaboration and industry connections.
Fashion Archive
The HKDI Fashion Archive supports the use of real fashion products as teaching and learning tools, boasting a newly renovated 360 square metre space that houses around 1,500 historical fashion items. Visitors can access the iconoclastic fashion items to understand the design, culture and history behind them via the interactive platform made available by the HKDI Fashion Archive.
Graphic Archive
The Graphic Archive at Hong Kong Design Institute is an applied research and consultancy hub dedicated to the advancement of knowledge in all areas of graphic communication. It acts as a knowledge exchange platform between staff, students as well as external organisations, tightly integrating practice, research, teaching and outreach activities.
Material Library
Material Library is a comprehensive material archive and interactive learning platform designed to facilitate the exchange of material knowledge and associated applications amongst students, faculty, designers and manufacturers.
Vinyl Record Library
It engages students and the public through hands-on experiences that celebrate vinyl culture, fostering collaboration among music, visual communication, fashion, and image design. By promoting the cultural significance of vinyl records, it creates opportunities for knowledge sharing and creative expression, centered around the V-hive—a vibrant hub for music lovers.
Retail Lab
Retail Lab serves as a multi-disciplinary retail knowledge exchange hub for academics and retailers locally, regionally, and internationally, with a vision to build business strategies and design solutions for future challenges by synergising the latest developments, innovative ideas, and best practices.
Its services comprise the four areas of big data analytics, e-commerce, design incubation, and technology-driven in-store experience, bringing design innovation, creative ideas, and business solutions under one roof.