Dezeen School Shows: a project that creates privacy for residents in high-rise apartment blocks is included in this school show by Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Also included is a branding scheme for a snack company based on the concept of toxic relationships and a printed publication that explores the experiences of people living in Hong Kong during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Institution: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
School: School of Design
Courses: BA (Hons) in Advertising Design, BA (Hons) in Communication Design, BA (Hons) in Digital Media, BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior design and the Integrated Designpreneurship subject under the BA programme
Tutors: Dr Gerhard Bruyns, Gilles Vanderstocken, Amy Chow, Chun Hei Charis Poon, Francis Hung, Dr Vincie Lee, Tony Hon, Dr Amelie Chan, Roberto Vilchis Echeverri, Benny Leong and Kam-fai Chan

School statement:

"PolyU Design has been an important hub of design education and research for Hong Kong since 1964.

"It is a place where East meets West, allowing students to develop their design expertise while gaining an in depth understanding of industry and society, with a unique international and cultural perspective.

"PolyU Design attaches equal importance to design theory and application, integrates art with science, actively promotes interdisciplinary cooperation and learning, emphasises high-quality design education, conducts high-level research and provides consulting services.

"It is consistently among the top 20 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject – Art and Design. Academic programmes are offered at bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels in highly diverse design expertise.

"Riding on massive creativity, many design projects of PolyU students are human-centric, cultural-driven and embrace the latest technologies.

"In this school show, eight amazing projects are selected from undergraduate programmes in communication design, digital media, environment and interior design.

"Two other projects have been selected from the Integrated Designpreneurship subject, which enable students to explore teamwork and integration, system thinking in design, articulation of 'for-profit' yet 'for-benefit', as well as entrepreneurship and start-up opportunity in the process of creating their capstone projects.

"Click here to view the showcase in full."

Make Friendship Visible by Ming Wai Scarlett Tong

"The client is a social app that addresses the challenges young people face when arranging meetings with friends due to societal lateness norms.

"By enabling continuous real-time location tracking, the app allows users to spontaneously meet up with nearby friends, freeing them from rigid schedules and undesirable situations. This removes physical distance and information barriers, expanding social boundaries and enhancing relationship security.

"This advertising campaign for the app utilises various touch points. Posters are designed to highlight the app's instant location sharing, making friendships visible at any moment.

"Social media pages are created to introduce the social app to local residents, sharing app information through a unique perspective. Viral online videos are produced to creatively demonstrate how the app easily locates friends, portraying a transparent city.

"Lastly, a citywide hide-and-seek competition is proposed to generate brand awareness. These initiatives aim to foster stronger connections and a sense of community among friends, driven by the app's features."

Student: Ming Wai Scarlett Tong
Course: BA (Hons) in Advertising Design
Tutor: Francis Hung

The Pak Kok Village Project by Nunez Subhadra

"This project focuses on materiality and the reuse of abandoned structures in the Pak Kok village. It aims to create a handbook of suggested material reuse options to revitalise the village's structures.

"The handbook uses both existing materials and decayed materials from old buildings to provide a sustainable, achievable and affordable construction method.

"The project prioritises preserving the village's history and aesthetic by avoiding expensive new materials."

Student: Nunez Subhadra
Course: BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior Design
Tutor: Gilles Vanderstocken

In-between by Ka Yu Cathy Chan

"In-between shows the daily experiences of Hong Kong people during Covid-19 through an exhibition and five publications that explore the connections between people, objects and memory.

"The publications tell the stories of how the appearance, behaviour and relationships of interviewees changed during the pandemic, divided into five chapters – masks, dining behaviour, daily behaviour, distance, restrictions and rules.

"Experimental photography, illustrations, photograms, a range of uncommon materials, printing techniques and dimensions are used in 'In-between' – choices that emphasize the themes of the stories being told.

"In-between encourages people to press forward by visualizing humanity's incredible perseverance in the face of adversity."

Student: Ka Yu Cathy Chan
Course: BA (Hons) in Communication Design
Tutor: Amy Chow

Hey Body: In Time of Counter Enquiry by Shu-fan Abby Yang

"This is a speculative design project that proposes a future where the practice of 'counter enquiry' through 'human body enquiry technology' is the primary information consumption method.

"The human body becomes a new type of algorithm operating via the bodily experience stored in the physical flesh through the innovative 'spindle', 'node', and 'thread' technologies.

"Hey Body encourages reflection on the mediation of digital algorithms in the current context.

"By proposing human flesh as a counterbalance to digital computation, the project calls for inquisitive hearts to search out the balance point between humans and algorithmic technology."

Student: Shu-fan Abby Yang
Course: BA (Hons) in Communication Design
Tutor: Chun Hei Charis Poon

ESCZIP by Ching Fong, Wing Yan Lai, Hau Ching Wyonna Li and Kin Man So

"This animated story is set in a deserted game centre in 1980s America, which is sat beside a highway. The game centre is shrouded in mystery. Seeking refuge, a desperate fugitive finds himself hiding in the centre's restroom, grappling with a peculiar mask stuck to his face.

"He accidentally stumbles into a bizarre birthday party, where a lonely child weeps and cries out for attention. Reluctantly, the fugitive accepts the child's invitation to play, deepening their bond as they explore the enigmatic game centre together.

"However, the child still holds an unfulfilled wish, fixating on his birthday cake and longing for a lit candle to make a birthday wish in the presence of his newfound friend."

Students: Ching Fong, Wing Yan Lai, Hau Ching Wyonna Li and Kin Man So
Course: BA (Hons) in Digital Media
Tutor: Dr Amelie CHAN

The Love We Miss by Chun Hoi Moses Cheng, Wai Chun Justin Cho, Lok Yan Priscilla Poon and King Ching Nicola Shum

"This short film explores the tender bond between Horus, a profoundly visually impaired individual, and Summer, a caregiver on a short-term contract. It delves into themes of romance and personal growth.

"Despite Horus's visual impairment, he perceives the world through heightened emotional and human connections. Their relationship blossoms, revealing shared qualities and affection, yet they remain confined to being good friends.

"Drawing inspiration from our own emotional journeys, the story encompasses family love, friendship and falling in love romantically – it highlights how our emotions shape our approach to life, decisions and finding meaning.

"The aim was to convey a sense of blessedness, whether fleeting, sweet or enduring, without fixating on a perfect ending.

"Instead, we emphasise the pursuit of happiness and the resonance that can be found within the relationship between Horus and Summer."

Students: Chun Hoi Moses Cheng, Wai Chun Justin Cho, Lok Yan Priscilla Poon and King Ching Nicola Shum
Course: BA (Hons) in Digital Media
Tutor: Dr Amelie Chan

Gah Zeoi by Man-Kwan KaKa Chan, Annie Lee, Po-yee Bowie Leung, Suen-chi Belle Li, Chun-kit Tsang and Nga-lam Jasmine Yeung

"Gah Zeoi offers a unique dining experience that embraces the principles of regenerative agriculture. The design team believes that agriculture can serve as a bridge to reconnect humans with the natural world.

"They have a mission to introduce the concepts of regenerative agriculture to the people of Hong Kong and foster a renewed bond with our environment.

"Through Gah Zeoi, participants are educated about regenerative agriculture through symbolic elements and thoughtful design incorporated into the menu, printed materials and services.

"By creating an extraordinary dining experience, it is aimed to spark profound reflections among participants about their consumption habits, their relationship with the environment, and the tangible actions they can take to create a better world."

Students: Gah Zeoi by Man-Kwan KaKa Chan, Annie Lee, Po-yee Bowie Leung, Suen-chi Belle Li, Chun-kit Tsang and Nga-lam Jasmine Yeung
Course: Integrated Designpreneurship under the BA (Hons) Scheme in Design
Tutor: Roberto Vilchis Echeverri

BookThrough by Jen-hung Justin Fang, Esther Lui and Kei-yau Cathy Poon

"BookThrough is an experimental project that explores books, book culture, community and design's role in providing readers with an alternative literary experience.

"Led by interdisciplinary design entrepreneurs, the project began by examining challenges in Hong Kong's book community.

"Through research methods like user shadowing and interviews, the team identified obstacles such as fragmented reading resources, reader disconnection and limited literary interests.

"To address these issues, they developed a digital platform that fosters a sustainable and scalable book culture.

"The platform incorporates habit data visualisation, information sharing and gamification to engage readers and catalyse the future development of the book community."

Student: Jen-hung Justin Fang, Esther Lui and Kei-yau Cathy Poon
Course: Integrated Designpreneurship track under the BA (Hons) Scheme in Design
Tutor: Benny Leong and Kam-fai Chan

Enjoy Being Toxic by Wu Ka Mei

"The client of this campaign is a spicy potato chip company from Japan, known for its outstanding spiciness that makes people feel pain when they eat it.

"The chips use ghost peppers to make spicy powder, which gives it a spiciness rating of 1,001,304 Scoville units. This advertising idea focuses on toxic relationships.

"Inspired by the intriguing connection between toxic relationships and the enjoyment of spicy food, this advertising project explores their shared characteristics.

"Both experiences can be exhilarating yet painful, evoking strong sensations and addictive tendencies. Central to this project is the Cantonese term '犯賤', translated as 'toxic'.

"This term captures the concept of individuals knowingly engaging in self-destructive behaviour, despite the consequences."

Student: Wu Ka Mei
Course: BA (Hons) in Advertising Design
Tutors: Dr Vincie Lee and Tony Hon

Habitual Vicissitudes — The notion of transparency, translucency, and opacity by Tak Mei Antoinette Wong

"Habitual Vicissitudes is a project that examines different design components for manipulating visibility in high-density living environments.

"It investigates the manipulation of transparency in architectural elements, such as frosted glass and perforated screens, to create a balance between privacy and connection to the surrounding environment.

"The project considers factors like user behaviour, cultural backgrounds, and neighbour relationships to determine the desired level of visibility.

"By testing materials and adjusting dimensions like transparency and reflectiveness, the project aims to accommodate individual preferences based on factors like height, age, and gender.

"It also explores the impact of interior elements like curtains and louvers on visibility and user choices."

Student: Tak Mei Antoinette Wong
Course: BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior Design
Tutor: Dr Gerhard Bruyns

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.