Design

Higher Diploma

Design Discipline

Aligned with the government's policy to develop cultural and creative industries, our discipline offers quality design programmes that cultivate knowledgeable, professional and emerging design talents to advance Hong Kong's creative industries. The curriculum spans major design fields including architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media, and fashion and image design, combining theoretical knowledge with practical training to equip students with cutting-edge technologies and a solid professional foundation.

Programme Information

Key Advantages

Industry-Aligned Curriculum

Our programmes integrate emerging technologies and AI applications across all design specialisms, blending theoretical knowledge with practical training to ensure graduates meet future industry demands with enhanced skills and competitiveness.

International Academic Collaboration

We have an extensive network with 40+ exchange partners from nearly 20 countries and regions, providing students with opportunities for oversea exchange and cross-cultural learning.

Advanced Learning Facilities

Students have access to cutting-edge resources, including a 9,000 sq ft HKDI Virtual Production Studio at Shaw Studios, V Music Library, 1,800+ sq m of exhibition spaces and six specialised knowledge centres.

Industry-Aligned Curriculum

International Academic Collaboration

We have an extensive network with 40+ exchange partners from nearly 20 countries and regions, providing students with opportunities for oversea exchange and cross-cultural learning.

Advanced Learning Facilities

Articulation

Graduates have the opportunity to apply for Degree programmes offered by local and overseas universities for further studies including:

Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi)
The University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Metropolitan University of Hong Kong
Lingnan University
The Education University of Hong Kong
Nottingham Trent University
University of Central Lancashire
University of the West of England

Career Prospect

Hong Kong, renowned as the Events Capital and a centre for East-meets-West international cultural exchange, brings together artists and cultural institutions from around the globe. This positively impacts Hong Kong's artistic and cultural ecology and facilitates the hosting of flagship events. Consequently, there is a significant demand for various design professionals within the industry, and the outlook is optimistic.

Professional Recognition

Many professional bodies in Hong Kong and overseas acknowledge the quality of our programmes, including:

AHMA Hair Council Limited (AHMA)
Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Limited (CASH)
Design and Art Direction (D&AD), UK
Graphic Arts Association of Hong Kong (GAAHK)
Hong Kong Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals (AMP4)
Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA)
Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA)
Hong Kong Extended Reality Association (HKXRA)
Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA)
Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA)
Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers (HKIPP)
Hong Kong Institution of Textile and Apparel (HKITA)
Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA)
Hong Kong Jewellery Designers Association (HKJDA)
Hong Kong Printing and Publishing Media Industry Workers Union (HKPPMIWU)
Hong Kong Publishing Professional Society (HKPPS)
Hong Kong Society of Illustrators (HKSI)
Hong Kong Visual Merchandising Art Association (HKVMAA)
Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong (IDSHK)
Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC)
Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers Hong Kong Section (SMPTE-HK)
The Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong (HK4As)
The Hong Kong Association of Theatre Technicians & Scenographers (HKATTS)
The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA)
The One Club for Creativity, USA

Internship and Exchange

Students are required to participate in a minimum of 90 hours of a Student Industrial Attachment Programme, combining theoretical professional knowledge and skills with practical training to gain hands-on experience.

Facilities

HKDI Virtual Production Studio

V Music Library

HKDI Centre for Communication Design

HKDI Centre of Design Services and Solutions

HKDI Centre of Innovative Material and Technology

HKDI Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability Lab

HKDI Fashion Archive

HKDI Media Lab

Highlights

HKDI alumni Chan Wing Ki clinched the Gold medal in "Visual Merchandising" at WorldSkills Lyon 2024

This outstanding achievement marks a consecutive victory for HKDI graduates from the Higher Diploma in Design for Event, Exhibition and Performance in this category, following the Gold medal at WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition.

HKDI fashion design student, Yung Tsz Tsun, secured the Overall Winner in the 2024 Sustainable Fur Design Competition

By using donated old fur fashion products from manufacturers, this project combines stylish design concepts with innovative tailoring to breathe new life into old fur garments, showcasing the limitless possibilities of fur materials.

Edith Mok, an alumna of the HKDI Fashion Image Design programme who graduated in 2023, won the prestigious Dame Suzie Moncrieff Award at WOW 2024 in Wellington, New Zealand

Under the theme of 'Murderer', her collection features dramatic and surrealistic designs, triumphing over 91 professional designers and artists from 14 different countries and cities.

Chung Ka Ching, a student of Higher Diploma in Fashion Design, triumphed in the Redress Design Award

‘The Wanderer’ collection, inspired by the outfits and lifestyle of homeless wanderers. Made from various discarded materials, this collection reflects the disparities in fashion and sustainability linked to our purchasing decisions.

Tiger Chung, a student of Higher Diploma in Fashion Design, claimed the Overall Champion at the Hong Kong Fashion Designers’ Contest 2024

His work ‘RAGER’, which exudes the energy and vitality felt at a music festival.

Stephen Chan, a student from Higher Diploma in Interior Design, won the Gold Award at the 31st Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2023

His work ‘Zenjoy’, aims to address the increasing prevalence of mental health issues in Hong Kong by promoting the benefits of yoga and meditation.

Siu Wing Ki, a student of the Higher Diploma in Jewellery Design and Technology, won the Champion and The Made-to-Sell Award at the 23rd Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition

Her piece 'The Fly', inspired by the common housefly, this work explores the meaning of sustainable living.

Justin Lee won the first runner-up in the "See the World in Hong Kong Photo Contest"

Justin Lee, an alumnus of Higher Diploma in Film, Television and Photography, was first runner-up in the "See the World in Hong Kong Photo Contest" hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Hong Kong and the VTC. He also received the Gold Award at the Prix De La Photographie Paris 2022, Honourable Mentions at the New York Photography Awards 2022, the Tokyo International Foto Awards 2022 as well as the winner of HKDI Young Design Talent Award at the DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award 2023.

Wong Hei Yu, a student from the Higher Diploma in Visual Communication, won the Gold Award in Environmental Creative Products (Packaging Printing) at the 34th Hong Kong Print Award

Her work 'Realm of Shalom' is inspired by the Book of Exodus in the Bible. By transforming Bible stories into cards, players can learn more about Christianity.