[News from Institutions] Hong Kong Design Institute Launches ‘HKDI Atelier’, a New Industry-Connected Design Centre Linking Students with Real-World Projects

The Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), a member institution of Hong Kong’s Vocational Training Council, announced the launch of HKDI Atelier, a new centre that aims to connect students with businesses through real-world projects, driving the deep integration of industry, academia and research to inject new momentum into local design education and industrial collaboration.

Serving as an institute-wide centre of excellence for industry–academia–research, “HKDI Atelier” is designed to move learning beyond the classroom and strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and applied research. It brings together HKDI’s designers, creators, and researchers across various departments to collaborate on authentic corporate and industry-driven projects. Through these projects, the centre integrates innovation, aesthetics, craft, culture and technology, striving to elevate Hong Kong’s standards in craftsmanship and applied design research, and setting professional benchmarks locally, in the Greater Bay Area, and internationally. Rooted in the pedagogical philosophy of “Think and Do”, integrating the most forward-looking design technologies and concepts into commercial applications allows students to engage in real-world business operations during their studies, connecting design education with the wider market.

“HKDI Atelier” also acts as a vital bridge between students and the industry, offering opportunities for close collaboration, industry-driven projects, competitions and exhibitions. It cultivates students’ craftsmanship skills, Intellectual Property (IP) knowledge and commercialisation capabilities, comprehensively responding to the fast-changing needs of the industry.

Opening Forum Steers New Design Trends, Focusing on the IP Boom and Future Living 
At the opening forum held on 9 June, “HKDI Atelier” demonstrated how it comprehensively strengthens ties with the business sector through its diverse design research initiatives. Closely aligned with the industry’s highly anticipated Intellectual Property (IP) boom, alongside a growing focus on lifestyle quality and craft innovation, the forum spotlighted four key directions of industry interest: 

 “IP Investment”: Assisting enterprises and designers in understanding how investors identify IP projects with commercial potential, and enhancing their market value through strategic design and marketing.

“IP Strategy”: Supporting companies in building and growing their brands and proprietary IP, establishing distinctive brand IPs to drive innovation and excellence.

“Future Living Design”: Exploring how emerging technologies and changing lifestyles concepts can be applied to provide innovative solutions for enterprises.

 “Craft Artistry”: Combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to create distinctive products, visual identities and brand experiences.

Bridging Industry-Academia-Research: Open House Showcases Top-Tier Design Labs
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Elita LAM, Principal of HKDI, noted that traditional design education often focuses on classroom theories and simulated exercises. The establishment of the “HKDI Atelier” is designed to build a robust, two-way bridge between academia and the business sector. She emphasised that it is far more than a conventional internship platform; it is a high-specification collaborative ecosystem that connects emerging designers with the industry. It nurtures craftsmanship skills, IP creation, commercialisation capabilities and alumni relations, while giving students the practical experience of working alongside international brands—creating a win-win scenario for academia, students and enterprises alike. 

Furthermore, “HKDI Atelier” will actively collaborate with industry partners in the future to organise a series of thematic exhibitions and activities, including innovative showcases combining contemporary visual arts, music, film and technological elements. Specific details and the latest updates of these events will be announced in due course.

From today until 12 June, the public and industry practitioners are invited to book visits to the institute’s state-of-the-art design laboratories. These include the Retail Lab, Comics Library, V Music Library, Fashion Archive, Material Lab, and Graphic Archive, offering an immersive look into the development and advanced technologies driving tomorrow’s design industry.

About Hong Kong Design Institute 
Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) is a member of VTC Group. HKDI was established in 2007 with the mission to be a leading provider of design education and lifelong learning, including architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media and fashion and image design. With a view to providing professional designers for the creative industries, it promotes the “think and do” approach and encourages interdisciplinary synergy in its broad range of design programmes that cultivate students’ cultural sensitivities and sense of sustainability. HKDI maintains a strong network with industry and provides its students with essential practical experience. Overseas exchanges are actively arranged for students to broaden their horizon and international perspective.
Website: http://www.hkdi.edu.hk

About HKDI Atelier
HKDI Atelier is a centre of excellence at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), a member institution of Hong Kong’s Vocational Training Council. HKDI Atelier fosters close collaboration among 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 internationally. 

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