About HKDI
Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), as one of the member institutions under the VTC Group, is one of the most influential design institutions in Hong Kong. It provides high-quality education to cultivate knowledge and professionalism, nurturing design talents to support Hong Kong’s creative industry development.
With years of experience in design education, HKDI brings together the strengths of its design departments – Architecture, Interior and Product Design, Communication Design, Digital Media and Fashion and Image Design – to provide over 20 full-time design programmes, preparing students for work-readiness with socially conscious solutions to meet the demand of the 21st century workplace.
HKDI strives to provide flexible and diversified pathways from Higher Diploma to one-year Bachelor degrees conferred by reputable universities in the UK, or degree programmes offered by local universities, as well as continuing education programmes leading to postgraduate qualifications. Through an established network with over 40 overseas design institutions, HKDI students are connected to the world through international exchange and project collaboration.
Professional Membership
Professional Organisations:
ICO-D
International Council of Design
IDA
International Design Alliance
IFFTI
International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes
IFI
International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers
IIID
International Institute of Information Design
TDAA
The Design Alliance Asia
WDO
World Design Organization
FATE
Foundations in Art: Theory and Education
Academic Institutions:
CUMULUS
International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media
Research Organisation:
DESIS Network
Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability
Design ED Asia
Asian Design Education
Message from
VTC Executive Director
Welcome to the HKDI website. As a leading provider of design education in the region, HKDI is committed to offering excellent learning opportunities to keep pace with the growing demand of the creative industries.
A Dynamic Learning Environment
HKDI commenced the 2010/11 academic year in its award-winning campus in Tseung Kwan O, providing the most vibrant and best-equipped learning environment for quality design education.
Creativity in Action
HKDI adopts a ‘think-and-do’ approach which emphasises workplace-academic partnership that bridges the gap between VPET curricular and industry needs, with strong and diversified inter-cross disciplinary design collaboration to foster creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Students are given opportunities in regional and global exchange programmes to expand their horizons while enhancing their creative thinking and social sensitivity.
Quality Programmes and Student Support
Our curriculum is designed with input from industry leaders to ensure its relevance and responsiveness to industry developments. HKDI programmes are quality assured by the Hong Kong Council for the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.
Our students and alumni are provided with career development advisory and support services. Through articulation arrangements with renowned overseas universities, HKDI Higher Diploma graduates can pursue Top-up Degree courses locally and attain degree qualifications within one or two years.
A Valued Choice to Success
Design can offer you a rewarding and fulfilling career. We look forward to having you as a member of the HKDI family.
Mr Donald Tong
Executive Director
Vocational Training Council
Design Concept
The HKDI campus is designed to provide an open and dynamic environment conducive to learning and innovative exploration. It is equipped with state-of-the-art workshops, galleries, fabrication facilities and a learning resources centre dedicated to creating the most dynamic learning environment for quality design education in the region.
Themed as the White Sheet, the campus design by French architects Coldéfy & Associés was the award-winning project in the HKDI International Architectural Design Competition in 2006/2007.
The White Sheet is a metaphorical presentation of creativity. It floats in the air and connects all other parts of the campus, expressing HKDI’s multidisciplinarity and objectives. The radical, light and transparent architectural design encourages reflection on the combination of multiple and opposite situations, allowing each functional element to be read immediately from the exterior.
The entire composition, created by interpenetration between the interlinked elements, including the building base, the podium, the “sky city”, the towers and the landscaped roof, defines the Institute as a timeless building and reveals its objectives of promoting synergy, publicity and interactivity. Its enlightening design stimulates and inspires future designers.
Education Facilities
HKDI houses over a hundred workshops and studios to cater for design students’ needs across disciplines.
Centre for Independent Language Learning (CILL)
The Centre for Independent Language Learning creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere for students to improve their language skills. It provides independent learning materials such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, books, magazines and board games, together with a flexible setting for hosting activities ranging from workshops and parties to performances and competitions.
Learning Resources Centre (LRC)
Far more than just a library, the Learning Resources Centre houses over 87,000 books, periodicals and audio-visual materials, and is a place of reflection and interaction where students are encouraged to openly discuss what they have been learning. Creative Hub, Maker Commons, Silence Booth, Studio Infinity and Video Streaming Room are the dedicated areas supported by the Learning Resources Centre where students can study, hold discussions and collaborate on projects.
The HKDI Virtual Production Studio
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.
V Music 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.
Knowledge Centres
Six knowledge centres also advocate cross-disciplinary design education and encourage students’ participation in innovative and social research projects to push forward their design thinking.
HKDI Centre for Communication Design (CCD)
The Centre for Communication Design 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.
HKDI Centre of Design Services and Solutions (CDSS)
A unique multi-disciplinary exchange hub, the Centre of Design Services and Solutions (CDSS) brings design innovation, creative ideas and business solutions under one roof.
HKDI Centre for Innovative Material and Technology (CIMT)
CIMT 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.
HKDI DESIS Lab
The HKDI Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability (DESIS) Lab for Social Design Research is a cross-disciplinary action research group at HKDI. Its aim is to set up a research platform for social design, an emerging field advocating a new approach to design: ‘designers as enablers of social change’.
HKDI 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.
HKDI Media Lab
The Media Lab nurtures and enhances the integration of innovative ideas and media technologies, as well as interactions between education, applied research, professional training and industry application.
Sport Facilities
Swimming Pool
*The swimming pool was closed on 1 November 2024, marking the end of the swimming season until further notice.
Enquiry: 3928 2222 / 3928 2000 (office hours) 3928 2999 (non-office hours and in case of adverse weather)
The Institute reserves the right to amend the opening hours of the Swimming Pool for teaching and/or extra-curricular activities.
Basketball Court
Opening hours
Campus sessions: Campus staff and student
Mon – Fri | 0830 – 1900
Sat | 0930 – 1200
Charging session for VTC staff and student
Mon – Fri | 1900 – 2100
Sat: | 1300 – 2100
Sun, Public Holidays | 0900 – 2100
Hire Charges: HK$80 per hour
Charging Session for Public:
Mon – Fri | 1900 – 2100
Sat | 1300 – 2100
Sun and Public Holidays | 0900 – 2100
Hire Charges: HK$80 per hour
Enquiry: 3928 2222 / 3928 2000 (office hours) 3928 2999 (non-office hours and in case of adverse weather)
The Institute reserves the right to amend the opening hours of the basketball courts for teaching and/or extra-curricular activities.
Tennis Court
Opening hours
Campus sessions: Campus staff and student
Mon – Fri | 0930 – 1800
Sat | 0900 – 1200
Charging session for VTC staff and student
Mon – Fri | 1800 – 2100
Sat: | 1200 – 1800
Sun, Public Holidays | 0900 – 1800
Hire Charges: HK$44 per hour (Mon – Fri), HK$28 per hour (Sat, Sun, Public Holidays)
Charging Session for External Bodies:
Sat | 1200 – 1800
Sun | 0900 – 1800
Hire Charges: HK$50 per hour
Enquiry: 3928 2222 / 3928 2000 (office hours) 3928 2999 (non-office hours and in case of adverse weather)
Badminton Court (Multi-purpose Hall)
Opening hours
Charging Session for Public:
Charging Session for Public:
Sat | 1400 – 2100
Sun | 0900 – 1800
Hire Charges: HK$90 per hour
Enquiry: 3928 2222 / 3928 2000 (office hours) 3928 2999 (non-office hours and in case of adverse weather)
Other Venues
To facilitate students’ learning process and provide an all-inclusive environment for full experience, an array of venues is equipped in HKDI where students can get hands-on skills and knowledge from a professional setting, and from others teaching and learning events hosted in these venues, such as lectures and exhibitions. During non-teaching period, these venues are also available for hosting education related events.
VTC Auditorium
The VTC Auditorium accommodates over 700 people, with specially designed acoustics to enhance performances, conferences and other gatherings. This 963 square metre venue with disabled access is a focal point of HKDI’s interactions with the community.
Experience Centre
Experience Centre is a convertible area with up to 170 sqm for mini events or exhibitions.
HKDI Gallery
The HKDI Gallery provides up to 600 square metres of exhibition space to showcase the breadth of design generated by and associated with HKDI. Open to the public, the venue will host exhibition, trade- and industry-related events and displays of student work.
Design Boulevard
Completing the Podium, the Design Boulevard invites the public into the campus. Stretching over 125 m, this open area offers access to the auditorium, exhibition spaces and common facilities. Conceived as a “breathing space” for the campus, the Design Boulevard evokes the feeling of a party culture, with space for student activities and the interaction of creative minds.
d-mart
d-mart provides a 1,040 square metre venue for showcasing the breadth of design generated by or associated with HKDI. Open to the public, the venue hosts exhibition, trade- and industry-related events and displays of student work.
Multi-purpose Hall
Multi-purpose hall is a convertible venue on the ground floor of Hong Kong Design Institute with an area of 338.6 square metres. It is primarily used for institute’s teaching and learning purpose, and it also serves various types of seminars and workshops.
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HKDI produces publications to showcase work by our emerging design talents, report on the design research projects conducted by lecturers, visiting fellows and students, and publish programme details. Three times a year, HKDI also publishes a design magazine, SIGNED.
Programmes
SIGNED Magazine
Academic/ Research
Student Work Showcase
Secondary school students can participate in a tailor-made schedule of activities to give them a better understanding of design education at HKDI and possible careers in the design industry.
Campus Tour
Guided campus tours allow students to experience the atmosphere in this educational environment and learn more about the campus. Visiting students are shown the campus facilities, including the Learning Resources Centre and Knowledge Centres, the workshops and studios of different design departments, showcase displays and seasonal exhibitions in collaboration with international partners.
Each tour for 20-25 students accompanied by at least one teacher or staff member lasts 45 minutes. A tailor-made itinerary highlighting particular workshops or design programmes can be arranged with at least 3 weeks’ notice.
Taster Programme
Each design department provides a unique taster programme for students to get a taste of learning at HKDI and learn more about the design industry.
Each taster programme for 18-25 students accompanied by at least one teacher or staff member lasts around 1.5 hours. Applications should be made one month in advance and activities are subject to workshop availability.
Career Talks
In these career talks, HKDI lecturers share programme information, career prospects in design industries and admission requirements. With current student projects and industry collaborations, lecturers share the fun and interesting teaching methods and knowledge exchange programmes.
Interested schools are advised to indicate the academic programmes in which they are interested. Each talk lasts 45-60 minutes, subject to further negotiation. HKDI student work can be showcased, depending on availability.
Alumni Sharing
Outstanding alumni who have received academic and industry recognition participate in sharing and Q&A sessions with secondary school students. Through this interaction, students learn about the educational environment at HKDI, career prospects and solutions to career planning from experienced graduates not much older than themselves.
Interested schools are advised to indicate the academic programmes in which they are interested. Each sharing session of 40 minutes is followed by an open Q&A session. A maximum of two alumni can attend each activity. A moderator from the secondary school should lead the students in asking related and effective questions.
HKDI Gallery Exhibition Guided Tour
Featuring top notch exhibitions in collaboration with the international museums as well as designers, HKDI Gallery is a prefect destination to enrich your knowledge of design. We are delighted to offer curated guided tour service for schools, industry bodies, charitable or non-profit-making organizations, in a group of 15 people or more, during the exhibition period. Education learning pack and workshops, which are designed for exhibitions specifically, will also be delivered during the tour.
