Dezeen School Shows: coils, cones and sticks of incense made using waste organic matter from herbal teas are among the products by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Also featured is a chair designed to preserve the dignity, comfort and mobility of elderly women, and a digital programme that supports the day-to-day life of visually impaired people living in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Institution: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Courses: BA (Hons) in Design (Interaction Design), BA (Hons) in Design (Product Design), Cooperative Project, Work-Integrated Education (WIE), Integrated Designpreneurship (InD), Master of Design (Innovative Business Design), Master of Design (Smart Service Design), Master of Design (Transitional Environments Design) and Master of Science in Innovative Multimedia Entertainment (MScIME)
Tutors: Adriana Caplova, Michael Chan, Susan Evans, Laurent Gutierrez, Anthony Kong, Brian Lee, Benny Leong, Dominic Leung, Sylvia Liu, Shera Park, Stefan Sonntag, Hailiang Wang, David Williams, Simon Yeung and Wangda Zhu

School statement:

"Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to nurturing creative talent with an innovative mindset and a strong sense of social responsibility.

"The University's School of Design is consistently ranked among the top 25 on the QS World University Rankings by Subject – Art and Design, reflecting its strong global standing.

"The PolyU Design Show, with a tradition spanning over 60 years, continues to evolve as a platform for innovation, collaboration and public engagement, spotlighting the work of emerging local designers.

"This year's show runs from 5 June to 7 August, presenting work by nearly 400 students from both Bachelor's and Master's programmes.

"Highlights include the debut capstone projects from the first graduating cohort of the expanded BA (Hons) Scheme in Design, covering nine expanded specialisms; proposals co-designed with real-world clients through the University's Work-Integrated Education (WIE) programme; collaborative projects developed by students from different specialisms under the 'Integrated Designpreneurship' programme; and interdisciplinary design solutions by Master's students.

"This section focuses on breaking barriers. From healthcare to mobility and social inclusion, these projects demonstrate how design can remove limitations and reshape everyday life.

"Addressing challenges across ageing, accessibility, sustainability, and urban systems, they offer practical, forward-looking solutions grounded in real-world needs.

"Together, they reveal design as a powerful tool for change – empowering individuals and strengthening communities."

Tranquila by Chow Suet Ching Sherry

"In Hong Kong, where nearly one in three people will be aged 65 or above by 2046, traditional geriatric chairs often act as clinical cages – cold, rigid fixtures that confine elderly women for long hours, contributing to sarcopenia, pressure ulcers, poor posture and isolation.

"Tranquila reimagines this daily reality. It is designed specifically for elderly women in residential care and blends the warmth of home furniture with medical-grade ergonomics.

"Its gentle rocking base delivers continuous passive movement to stimulate circulation, while adjustable seat cushions and a reclining backrest support diverse body proportions.

"Tranquila enables elderly women to sit with comfort, settle with security, and stand with confidence."

Student: Chow Suet Ching Sherry
Course: BA (Hons) in Design (Product Design)
Tutor: Brian Lee

SynCare by Sin Ki Lok Keanu and Chan Lok Yan Ada

"SynCare is a system consisting of a wristband, a station and an app, which enables informal caregivers to provide care while empowering hypertension patients to develop healthy habits.

"The wristband and app establish a 24/7 connection for communication, personalised reminders and fact‑checked health answers.

"The station displays a virtual island that patients can decorate through activities such as checking blood pressure and exercising, encouraging daily health management and active routines.

"Designed for busy informal caregivers in Hong Kong, the system supports efficient caregiving and enables patients to manage hypertension while maintaining meaningful daily connections with their families in their everyday lives and beyond."

Students: Sin Ki Lok Keanu and Chan Lok Yan Ada
Course: BA (Hons) in Design (Interaction Design)
Tutor: Hailiang Wang

SensePlay by Siu Yat Long Ron, Cho Ka Yan Dorothy, Wong Ngo Fung Elvis and Huang Liusen Louis

"SensePlay is an award-winning, therapy-driven, gamified platform designed to support therapists working with children with moderate to severe special educational needs (SEN).

"Through multisensory play, real-time progress tracking and AI-powered analysis, it encourages active participation by adapting challenge levels based on user responses, enhancing engagement and outcomes.

"The platform also enables therapists to monitor progress and share data efficiently with care teams and families. By tracking physical motion, engagement levels and key indicators, it provides a holistic view of development.

"While focused on SEN, the system holds potential for broader rehabilitation applications such as elderly care and disability support."

Students: Siu Yat Long Ron, Cho Ka Yan Dorothy, Wong Ngo Fung Elvis and Huang Liusen Louis
Course: Master of Science in Innovative Multimedia Entertainment (MScIME)
Tutors: Wangda Zhu and David Williams

BeeCare by Song Zhixin Jessie, Xie Xiwen, Yang Siqi and Yuan Jingyi

"Hong Kong's geriatric care sector faces growing demographic pressures, with frontline social workers often overwhelmed by heavy administrative workloads.

"BeeCare is an AI-driven platform designed to reduce these burdens and improve service continuity.

"It offers three core functions: AI-assisted data entry that converts spoken input into structured records, a centralised workspace that minimises tool-switching, and smart automation that generates customised outputs.

"By streamlining documentation and coordination, the system enables social workers to focus more on direct care and psychological support.

"Ultimately, BeeCare enhances operational efficiency while supporting more consistent and responsive elderly care services."

Students: Song Zhixin Jessie, Xie Xiwen, Yang Siqi and Yuan Jingyi
Course: Master of Science in Innovative Multimedia Entertainment (MScIME)
Tutors: Anthony Kong and Simon Yeung

Crossgo by Luo Yuyao Aimee, Yang Yi, Zhang Wu Ainsley and Zhao Yulin Jul

"Fuelled by supportive policies, strong business collaboration and improved cross-border services, cross-border shopping has become an integral part of daily life for Hong Kong residents.

"However, persistent challenges such as carrying heavy purchases and transporting frozen goods continue to limit consumer spending and the growth of local malls.

"Crossgo Cross-Border Drone Logistics addresses these issues by providing fast, convenient and secure delivery.

"The system enables customers to purchase bulky and temperature-sensitive products with ease, while creating new opportunities for SF Express and helping merchants offer differentiated services.

"The system creates a seamless, shared-value ecosystem for consumers, businesses and logistics providers."

Students: Luo Yuyao Aimee, Yang Yi, Zhang Wu Ainsley and Zhao Yulin Jul
Course: Master of Design (Smart Service Design)
Tutors: Dominic Leung and Shera Park

City Sense Diary by Lai Wai Shan Wincy

"City Sense Diary is an assistive mobility system for visually impaired people in Hong Kong.

"It combines route recommendation, sensory recording and community co-walking to turn everyday travel into a more confident, social and meaningful experience.

"Rather than treating mobility as a purely functional task, the project supports mental mapping, shared knowledge and urban exploration through a hybrid digital-physical approach."

Student: Lai Wai Shan Wincy
Course: Integrated Designpreneurship (InD)
Tutor: Benny Leong

Isla Ayllu by Yu Rui, Su Yuting and Li Kelin

"Peng Chau is a fragile yet adaptive system of low-density villages, coastal ecology and informal community practices.

"Shaped by strong winds, humidity, limited infrastructure and car-free mobility, it relies on close human, animal and environmental interactions.

"Emerging issues such as fragmented edge spaces, stray dogs, discarded materials and overlooked micro-ecologies reveal systemic stresses.

"In this low-maintenance setting, rather than imposing urban models, the project proposes small-scale, low-impact, context-specific interventions that respond to spatial fragmentation, environmental exposure, and evolving community dynamics."

Students: Yu Rui, Su Yuting and Li Kelin
Course: Master of Design (Transitional Environments Design)
Tutors: Laurent Gutirrez and Adriana Caplova

ReScent – The Sustainable Incense Innovation by Fan Shuyu, Qu Sichen Fiona, Zhao Yuxi and Mao Xin

"ReScent is an eco-friendly creative project that transforms leftover herbal tea residue into handmade natural incense.

"By repurposing waste that would otherwise be discarded, it turns herbal remains into gentle, calming scents, blending sustainability with traditional Lingnan herbal culture.

"The project also offers workshops where participants can craft their own incense, experiencing the beauty of upcycling first-hand.

"ReScent gives new life to waste, creates sensory experiences, and promotes a low-carbon, circular lifestyle – one stick of incense at a time."

Students: Fan Shuyu, Qu Sichen Fiona, Zhao Yuxi and Mao Xin
Course: Master of Design (Innovative Business Design)
Tutors: Sylvia Liu and Dr Susan Evans

Connecting Neighborhoods: A Sustainable Development Design Project in Kyotamba by students completing the Cooperative Project, Work-Integrated Education (WIE)

"Kyotamba Innovation Lab Inc. is a non-profit organisation working with the Kyotamba town government on long-term revitalisation projects.

"Its mission is to strengthen community ties by involving residents in shaping Kyotamba’s future.

"The Lab aims to create an inspiring, welcoming, and engaging place for both locals and visitors.

"Students in this project have created a unique identity for Kyotamba Town (京丹波町) through effective marketing campaigns and branding strategies.

"The project emphasises its distinctive characteristics, landscapes, history, and culture by focusing on enhancing infrastructure and adaptive reuse of space, strengthening overall image and branding, and engaging youth through creative activation strategies."

Students: Lo Wai Yiu, Chow Yan Man Shannon, Kwok Ching Laam Miffy, Leung Cheuk Lam, Chan Wing Yin, Po Sin Man, CHIU Hiu Man, Ho Nga Suet Julytha, Lee Ngai Man, Lin Kai Yin and Wang Pak Hei
Courses: BA (Hons) in Design (Environmental Design), BA (Hons) in Design (Interior Design), BA (Hons) in Design (Product Design) and BA (Hons) in Design (Social Design)
Tutor: Michael Chan

German Design Day 2026 by students completing the Cooperative Project, Work-Integrated Education (WIE)

"The School of Design has partnered with the Goethe-Institute, Germany's official cultural institute, and the German Consulate General to create a project revitalizing the 'Design/Made in Germany' brand in Hong Kong.

"While German design has a strong historical presence, it has recently lost some relevance among the city's younger demographic.

"To address this, the project aims to create inclusive, immersive experiences that showcase the heritage, global influence, and future outlook of German design.

"By engaging the local design industry, the wider public and youth, the initiative seeks to foster new collaborations and cultivate a deeper, cross-sector appreciation for german design."

Students: Chan Wing Lin, Cheng Ruoyan, Hu Ching Yin, Norah Maria Hylton, Lui Lok Yiu, Lui Wing Chi, Ailene Khate Mediavillo Malodrigo, Wong Miu Lam, Katrina Binate, Fung Yan Yi, Ng Shuk Yan, Ngai Wai Ying, Tse Yi Lam, Ching Yik Han, Ho Sze Kei
Courses: BA (Hons) in Design (Advertising Design), BA (Hons) in Design (Information Design), BA (Hons) in Design (Interaction Design) and BA (Hons) in Design (Service Design)
Tutor: Stefan Sonntag

Partnership content

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