Hong Kong Design Institute

SUMMARY

The Hong Kong Design Institute is a specialist design tertiary institution located in Tiu Keng Leng, New Territories, Hong Kong. It was established in 2007 under the auspices of the Vocational Training Council and moved into its purpose‑built campus in 2010. The institute offers  diplomas, higher diplomas and articulation routes to degree programmes across design disciplines such as architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media, and fashion and image design.

HISTORY

The Hong Kong Design Institute was envisioned to centralise existing design programmes offered at various other Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education campuses in Tiu Keng Leng, Sha Tin, Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong, and Tsing Yi. In 2005, the VTC announced a plan to merge certain design‑related departments — from the Sha Tin, Kwai Chung and Kwun Tong campuses — into a new dedicated design institute. In April 2006 the VTC held an international architecture competition to design the future campus. The winning design by French firm Coldefy & Associés beat 162 other submissions.

Construction of the campus in Tiu Keng Leng proceeded, and by the 2010/11 academic year Hong Kong Design Institute commenced operations in its new facility — a recognisable landmark structure featuring a floating platform design concept. Once the campus was operational, Hong Kong Design Institute consolidated multiple courses under its roof and began to emphasise its think‑and‑do pedagogy, aligning with Hong Kong’s aspiration to strengthen its creative industries. Over the years, it has expanded its programmes, knowledge centres and industry linkages.In recent years, Hong Kong Design Institute has also emphasised innovation in digital media, fashion archives, and research labs that integrate design, materials, and technology.

Hong Kong Design Institute

VISION

The vision of Hong Kong Design Institute centres on nurturing design talent that is both professionally competent and socially responsive. On its website the institute states it is committed to “cultivating knowledge and professionalism” and supporting Hong Kong’s creative industries through quality design education. Hong Kong Design Institute’s pedagogic motto emphasises a “think‑and‑do” approach — that is, students are encouraged not just to conceptualise but to execute, to engage with real‑world design challenges and industry collaborations. The vision also includes fostering cross‑disciplinary interaction, global outlook, and sensitivity to culture, environment and society.

TOP DESIGN COURSES

Hong Kong Design Institute organises its programmes under four main academic departments: Architecture, Interior & Product Design; Communication Design; Digital Media; and Fashion & Image Design. The Department of Fashion and Image Design, working closely with industry professionals, offers a comprehensive suite of innovative programmes—including Fashion Design, Fashion Image Design, Digital Fashion Branding and Buying, Fashion Media Design, and Costume Design for Performance—designed to prepare students for the fast-paced, dynamic global fashion industry. The dedicated team brings together expertise, industry and academic experience, creativity, and professionalism. We maintain strong connections with local industry experts, who regularly share their insights and guidance, as well as robust partnerships with leading international universities, providing clear pathways to bachelor’s degree programmes.

Studies in Communication Design prepare graduates to become job- and future-ready professionals who are versed in using visual language to communicate purposefully, strategically as well as creatively. The institute examines how words and images are manifested in static, dynamic, interactive, as well as spatial environments and explore how visual representations can be used to express, differentiate, inform, and persuade. A people-centred, experience-based approach underpins all programmes, where methods are applied to gather insights on users, markets, and other contextual factors that enable students to make informed design decisions. The faculty encourage students to develop their personal vision and approach to the subject and challenge students to ask critical questions on how traditional and emerging technology mediate communication in contemporary society between originators, distributors and consumers of content.

The Department of Digital Media is a creative, dynamic and technologically advanced environment for learning. Multiple aspects of creative production in digital media are covered, including Animation, Film and Television Production, Interactive Media, Music and Audio Technology, Photography, Web and App Development, Visual Effects and Storytelling in a Transmedia Context. Students develop communication and technical skills through a hands-on learning experience, with access to relevant state-of-the-art technology that enables them to become commercially viable and innovative designers.

KEY TEAM

• Dr Ong Lay‑Lian (Principal of HKDI & IVE (Lee Wai Lee))

• Dr Lam Yee Nee, Elita (Vice‑Principal)

JOB INTEGRATION SERVICES

Hong Kong Design Institute emphasises the transition between education and employment by providing career‑development support and industry linkages. According to the institution, the employment rate of full‑time Higher Diploma graduates in 2020 was around 90 %, with further‑study rate about 50 %. One specific service is the PEECjobs platform, where industry partners can post job or internship opportunities free of charge for students and alumni. The institute also fosters industry collaborations, internships and articulation arrangements with overseas universities, thereby enhancing graduates’ employability in Hong Kong and beyond.