Why PolyU Design 6 Study at PolyU Design
4-year Programme 8
BA (Hons) Scheme in Design
› Advertising Design
› Information Design
› Media Design
› Environmental Design
› Interior Design
› Product Design
› Interaction Design
› Service Design
› Social Design
Senior Year Programmes 14
BA (Hons) in
› Advertising Design
› Communication Design
› Environment and Interior Design
› Product Design
› Social Design
BA (Hons) in Digital Media
BA (Hons) in Interactive Media
Capstone
TAUGHT
RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE
DOCTOR OF
Why PolyU Design
Study at PolyU Design
Learning at PolyU Design is a rewarding experience with a wide variety of activities. Students are engaged
Design
Tutorials,
Study,
The BA (Hons) Scheme in Design educates innovative forward-thinking designers who are able to give shape and invent desirable futures relevant for a rapidly changing society. The Scheme offers an extensive range of different Design Specialisms that cater for tomorrow’s designers: Advertising Design, Environmental Design, Information Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design, Media Design, Product Design, Service Design, and Social Design.
This Scheme-based admission serves as an undeclared track. Students who enroll in the Scheme will first follow a common curriculum in Year 1 which offers them a year to identify their area(s) of interest and career aspirations, facilitating their Major programme selection in Year 2.
Students are subject to further assessment criteria i.e. students' own choice, students‘ portfolio evaluation, interview performance, GPA and individual subject results in selection of awards at the end of their Year 1 study.
Graduates will obtain one of these awards after completion of the programme:
› BA (Hons) in Design (Advertising Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Information Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Media Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Environmental Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Interior Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Product Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Interaction Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Service Design)
› BA (Hons) in Design (Social Design)
Is this programme for you?
We welcome candidates who are dedicated to becoming aspiring designers. Competitive candidates will possess these favourable qualities: Are you an expert in conceptualising spatial design? Are you a master in communication and producing high-quality visual content? Do you have unique ideas for improving the use and design of everyday products? Do you find it easy to imagine new services, innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities in the social and cultural sectors?
Qualifying applicants must have a strong interest in design and possess creative curiosity, good visual skills and abilities, skills in three-dimensional or mixed media, the ability to explore and develop ideas, good language skills, and the capacity to solve problems. They will be interested in how design can address issues in today’s society and contribute to making the world a better place.
Curriculum
The BA (Hons) Scheme in Design is a 4-year full-time study honorary degree. All students complete a common Design Foundation in Year 1, followed by a Design Cluster in Year 2, before focusing on their chosen Design Specialism in Year 3 and 4. Each specialism has a dedicated study pathway with some common subjects. Students graduate from the Scheme in one of the following nine Design Specialisms: Advertising Design, Environmental Design, Information Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design, Media Design, Product Design, Service Design, and Social Design.
Year 1 Design Foundation: Common Basics
The focus of Year 1 is to provide a broad-based foundation in common design skills, knowledge, and integration to enable students to become creative thinkers.
Year 2 Design Cluster: Interdisciplinary Collaborations
Year 2 students select one of four Design Clusters: Communication Design, Environment Design, Product Experience Design and Service Design. The four clusters provide a broad base of discipline-oriented study in preparation for specialisation in Year 3 and 4.
Year 3 Design Specialism: Discipline Exploration
Year 3 is the first year of discipline-specific study in one of the nine Design Specialisms offered: Advertising Design, Environmental Design, Information Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design, Media Design, Product Design, Service Design, and Social Design. Students explore their chosen Design Specialism through dedicated study pathways in discipline-specific subjects.
Year 4 Design Specialism: Integrative Design
Year 4 is the second year of the Design Specialism. This programme develops students’ critical and professional abilities in design. Students learn to tackle complex design issues through external client-focused and interdisciplinary studio projects.
Please refer to page 8 for details.
Options of Secondary Major & Minor Study
the Secondary
to a different
of Year 1
a competitive basis. It is
to be made
Our Senior Year Programmes are designed for those who would like to prepare themselves for promising careers in specific design disciplines through studies at an undergraduate level. Normal duration of the full-time programmes is two years. Applicants will choose a specific programme to get into upon application.
Graduates will obtain one of these awards after completion of their chosen programme:
› BA (Hons) in Advertising Design
› BA (Hons) in Communication Design
› BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior Design
› BA (Hons) in Product Design
› BA (Hons) in Social Design
› BA (Hons) in Digital Media
› BA (Hons) in Interactive Media
BA (Hons) in Advertising Design/ Communication Design/ Environment and Interior Design/ Product Design/ Social Design
Senior Year curriculum is available in our Bachelor's degree programmes on Advertising Design, Communication Design, Environment and Interior Design, Product Design and Social Design. It offers students a design education that is attuned to social trends and is sensitive to change. The School encourages its students to think critically, learn independently and in teams, experiment with dynamic, multi-layered design processes so as to weave culture and industry strands into appropriate social narratives. Core subjects of the issue-based design studio address contemporary aspects of human existence and the ambition to project desirable futures. Mindful of the cultural implications of technology, projects are developed with the user at its centre, and a critical appreciation of social trends, reflecting a humanistic teaching and learning mode running across the scheme’s design disciplines.
BA (Hons) in Interactive Media
The BA (Hons) in Interactive Media programme aims to nurture designers with a strong humanistic mindset, as well as technological knowledge, to actualise ideas as design artefacts that will enable people to make meaning out of interactive dynamic experiences.
Graduates can join a wide array of creative businesses, such as new media, digital entertainment, information and communications, digital marketing, interactive advertising, HCI, augmented reality, and electronic commerce. Some may continue their studies in interaction design, multimedia entertainment, and the like at the postgraduate level. Students will study discipline-specific compulsories to enhance their design knowledge and analytical capability and practise design projects in real case scenarios.
not meeting the equivalent standard of the Undergraduate Degree Language Communication Requirements (LCR) based on their previous studies in Associate Degree or Higher Diploma programmes and their academic performance
be required to take additional 3 to 9 credits of English and/or Chinese Language subject(s) on top of the normal credit requirements.
Dr. Woven: A Sustainable and Harmonious Community Reactivation Scheme by Wing Laam Wing LAW, Chi Tat Gulu TANG, Hoi Kan Miko WONG and Tsz Ching Joey WONG BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior Design, Product Design and Social Design
A community can lose its appeal if it becomes sick—or may even die unless given the right treatment. Dr. Woven finds effective ways to reactivate and prolong the lives of ageing communities in Hong Kong by focusing on a range of minor problems and jointly creating a design concept to shorten the communication between the public and designers.
Tutor: Horace PAN
Honorable Mention, Professional category, European Product Design Award 2022
PuriCub: A Sustainable STEAM Air Purifier Supported by Hong Kong Youth by Sze Weng Cassandra CHAN, Wing Tung Vanessa CHOI, Cheuk Yan Joyce IP, Ho Yin Gary MAK BA (Hons) in Advertising Design, Environment and Interior Design and Product Design
PuriCub is an interactive educational programme about air pollution. This project includes a STEAM learning kit that culminates in a functional air purifier, a mobile lab assembled by trucks for an immersive learning experience, and an application for students to improve their interactions with their own purifiers.
Tutor: Dr Yi Teng SHIH
Watch
ANSA: Future Work and Life
by Cheuk Fung Bernard CHUNG, Yuet Sum CHOI, Ching Tung WONG, Tsz Chun CHOW and Sai Yin LEUNG BA (Hons) in Advertising Design, Communication Design, Environment and Interior Design, Interactive Media and Product DesignThe ANSA envisions an experimental prototype that integrates work, home, and leisure providing greater autonomy, higher flexibility, and closer connections. It aims to inspire and imagine a smart future on four levels: personal, communities, systems, and infrastructure. The ANSA hopes that everyone can find their own rhythm in this fastpaced world and live their best life. Tutor: Dr Bruce WAN
RECOMASK: Recycling Masks for Sustainable Education
by Youngbeen UNG, Wing Yan Yannis KWOK, Taisiia MOROZ BA (Hons) in Advertising Design, Interactive Media and Product DesignThis project was created to reduce pandemic-generated single-use mask waste. In Phase 1, RECOMASK recycles the masks into 3D printing filament. In Phase 2, RECOMASK offers a sustainable educational game and an in-school creative course with a focus on recycled materials.
Tutor: Stefan SONNTAG
Watch:
(Hons) in Communication Design, Environment and Interior Design, Interactive Media and Product Design
JAPJAP explores a more sustainable approach to food waste. Focusing on the context of Hong Kong, the project team investigated the current options available to its people in tackling their own food waste: Hong Kong’s first ‘Domestic Food Waste Self-Service Recycling Station’ to turn food waste into nutrients for black soldier flies through a modular facility under the cradle-to-cradle concept.
King Chung SIU
Occasional Ride
by Chi Ho Patrick CHEUNG BA (Hons) in Advertising DesignThis is a rejuvenation exercise for the Hong Kong Tramways–a brand with 118 years of heritage. The brand is picked as an imaginary client for this advertising design's capstone project.
It is easy to think that heritage is about historic information, old facts and archives, yet the true heritage of the Hong Kong tram lies in the accumulated perceptions from the locals. Those accumulated perceptions include the vibe and feel of riding the tram; a transportation experience that hasn't changed in the past 118 years.
By crystallising these perceptions, the beauty beyond its transportation function can be recognised and reaffirmed among the younger generations.
This project is created for educational purpose. All commercial brands depicted in the projects in this project are ‘ imaginary clients’ that students have chosen as study subjects. PolyU Design is not suggesting any creative direction for the respective brands.
zzity
by Hui Ching Deborah TSANG BA (Hons) in Communication DesignHong Kong is a 24/7 city where pace of life is too fast. Hongkongers’ sleeping time is compressed and fluctuates arbitrarily. It has been a long time for them to have a good rest.
Obviously, Hongkongers need a new living space that allows them to have their lifestyle change, and enable them to take a good rest.
Thus, zzity was created, a unique resting space for everyone. zzity is a fictional city with its urban landscape shaped according to the owner’s bedtime and morning habits. The owner could decide their zzity's character, have it maintained or changed every day. Is it a resort, a country, or a planet in outer space? The owner will make their choice!
Tutor:
Fai
Sinking Cities 2100
by Elaine ISTANTO BA (Hons) in Communication DesignBy 2100, coastal cities around the world are predicted to be fully submerged underwater. Despite many factors leading to the sinking of a city, the current trend of sea-level rise reveals an alarming rate for these metropolitan cities by the coast. This project explores various fictional scenarios in which the livelihoods of residents within these coastal regions are affected by the rising waters. Sinking Cities 2100 envisions the possibility of a re-imagined contrasting future and the drastic scenarios of each coastal region through comparing Asia’s rapidly sinking and potentially sinking cities.
Tutor: Ho Yin FUNGThe Moon, Sky and You
by Wun Chung Alex SZE-TO & Hei Yau LIN BA (Hons) in Digital Media‘Moon, Sky and You’ is a live action film. It is a tragic romance of a pair of young lovers fighting against a hit-man organisation with violence, forgiveness, and redemption. It also represents the dumb and the pureness which witnesses the end of our path in secondary school.
Besides the story, when it comes to a dilemma, ‘The Moon, Sky and You’ is interesting in the relationship between, (giving an answer in case they know something they shouldn’t), adults who will wisely step back because of the responsibility of their own. However, teenagers will step forward with their irrationality and see behind walls. Nothing is black and white. It is our lifelong lesson to find the balance in both of them.
Tutors: Dr Jae OH & Heiward MAKWhite
by Tsz Ching Helen HO & Hiu Yim Ceci CHOW BA (Hons) in Digital Media‘White’ is an animated short film.
A small white deer followed the herd out of the forest where it originally lived and went into a world full of colour. Here, everyone pursues beautiful colours. Fawns who want to stay white choose to be dyed the same colour in order to blend in with the herd.
In the pursuit of colour, the white deer felt lost, and his beautiful colour turned cloudy.
He met a little white man who kept his white colour, and reminded him of his original intention.
Tutor: Dr Jae OHTessellating Culinary Culture
by Lok Ying Janice WONG BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior DesignThe project is exploring the development of cultural and culinary practices of kitchens. Throughout the centuries kitchen design was influenced by social customs, traditional cooking methods, and equipment, technologies at the time demonstrating the impact of cultural heritage and their culinary traditions, transforming interior layout and changing domestic lifestyles.
The design is a reinterpretation of western and eastern cuisines showcasing their spatial transformations based on time, different activities and equipment, their environmental setting, type of cuisine, and cultural backgrounds. Thus, a narrative representation technique using different layers of information is developed into sequential stories which alternate between old and new understandings of what a kitchen space might be or become. The tessellation effect is created through the superimposition of different timeframes and interior kitchen layouts and questions its future vision as a spatial agent.
Tutor: Dr Gerhard BRUYNSUnconscious or Conscious?
by Yuen Wai Janis LAM BA (Hons) in Environment and Interior DesignAre you affected by the world unconsciously? Or are you controlling your own path consciously? Different spatial settings of pathways impact people's behaviour in regard to motion, time and visual perception, creating our own unconscious experiences.
This project explores the narrative of pathways and how these affect people unconsciously. Spatial illusions are created throughout these pathways speculating on the influences and impacts of architectural elements and the direction they might have on our unconscious and conscious decision in relation to space.
Inspired by the mid-level escalators in Central, an abstract futuristic site is developed by connecting various pathways on different levels to create a spatial network with repetitive patterns and forms to generate contiguous illusions of dimensional encounters.
Tutor: Peter HASDELLwaternow
by Tsz Kin Edward CHUNG BA (Hons) in Interactive MediaHydration is essential for our body to function. It has been a prevalent topic in other countries but receiving less concern in Hong Kong. It is rare to see people in Hong Kong drinking water with their water bottles. It may be due to the coffee we drink in the morning, or the milk tea at night. But these beverages are not enough to keep us hydrated most of the time.
‘waternow’ is a brand-new experience for drinking water. It aims to create a metaverse that turns drinking water into a gaming experience for long-term habits. It brings awareness to the importance of keeping hydrated for the general public and motivates them to drink more water. This design includes; virtual and real experiences, metaverse, smart water checkpoints, and Augmented Reality (AR) interaction technology.
Tutor: Dr Kenny CHOWYouNgold
by Chi Ching Sandra LAU & Hoi Ki Hidy WONG BA (Hons) in Interactive MediaHong Kong‘s ageing population is on the rise and this places extra pressure on the community. In many Asian families, there is poor communication among family members that may build a barrier between them as a result.
YouNgold is a customised restaurant platform that helps young people know about the needs of their parents. It also aims to help reduce the risk of disease and bring families closer together.
Dr Newman LAU
Pit-a-Pat
by Tsz Shan Iris TAM BA (Hons) in Product DesignWe start the journey of saving money for our future wishes with a piggy bank. What if there could be a piggy bank for our own community’s future too? Pit-a-Pat is an allin-one donation platform for small NGOs, it aims to strengthen community bonding and resilience. Small NGOs have little marketing budget and unstable funding sources compared to well-established NGOs. Small NGOs are flexible in directly helping local residents. Their work deserves recognition and support. By setting up donation kiosks in MTR stations for every district in Hong Kong, Pit-a-Pat helps small NGOs get lowcost advertising opportunities and reach a wider donor and donee base. Each kiosk focuses on small NGOs that are active in the district. For donors, Pit-a-Pat provides a transparent, convenient and engaging experience in donating and connects with NGOs in their community. Users of the Pit-a-Pat app can track causes they support and set up fundraising projects to tackle immediate community issues.
Tutor: Dr Brian LEEOur five senses contribute to how we perceive the world. However, people forget the experience of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch during eating because of the fast pace of living. Senses response of the eating experience can result in concentration and focus as if practicing mindfulness which is healthy for mental and physical health. So, how can design enrich the senses experience while eating? Can it be a new way of serving food?
Tutor: Chi Wing LEE
Talking Plast!c
by Wing Hei LAU, Wai Shan CHEUNG, Yuet Ting HUI & Ka Yi WONG BA (Hons) in Social DesignDespite Hong Kong’s full implementation of the Plastic Bag Charging Scheme in 2015, plastic bags at wet markets are exempt for food hygiene reasons. The project team did an in-depth research into the issue and recognised that there is plastic bag abuse at Hung Hom Wet Market. Customers hesitated to break their habit of using plastic bags due to misconceptions and lack of incentives. This project aims to encourage them to take their first step in reducing plastic bags. It introduced an inclusive and progressive ‘Green Market Pilot Scheme’ at Hung Hom Market which had three different strategies for three types of people: ‘Green Shops Vouchers’, ‘Self-service Boxes’ and ‘Demonstration of minimising the use of plastic bags’, aiming to make a change to the community.
Tutor: Jonathan YUGap Time
by Pui Ki NG, Lijuan Laris LIANG, Tung YIU & Yip Pui CHEUNG BA (Hons) in Social DesignThis project tries to diversify the usage of daily gap time of young generation and salarymen. Dedicated to adding fun to people's stressful lives, the project team hacked into the way they use spare time, like waiting, taking transport, etc. They prototyped and organised four workshops, in which many meaningful impacts have taken place between the participants as a result of co-creation. Designated co-design and cooperative exercises, where participants are inspired, motivated and unleashed, serves as a springboard for their imaginative practice and acts as conversation tools for sparking the discussion with each other. The designers intended to cover three main levels of objectives: to be aware of gap time, to act in a fun way, and rethink the inside value. In light of these, they designed a game design package, an integration of an app and a gap time diary to provide a connected experience to players and other people.
Tutor: Kam Fai CHAN4-year Programme
BA (Hons) Scheme in Design
Local JUPAS Applicants (with HKDSE Qualifications)
Entrance Requirements
Satisfy the University’s General Entrance Requirements of 4 core and 2 elective subjects with:
• Level 3 in English Language, Chinese Language and two elective subjects; AND
• Level 2 in Mathematics and Liberal Studies.
There is no compulsory subject requirement. Please visit our website for details of preferred subjects.
Admission Score Calculation Mechanism
Any Best 5 Subjects Admissions Arrangement
• Only Band A applicants will be considered for admission.
• Applicants are required to submit an online portfolio in June.
• Upon release of HKDSE results, shortlisted applicants will be invited for an individual interview with their physical/digital portfolio, along with prototypes or models (if applicable).
• Top HKDSE Scorers (e.g. average weighted score 5 in 2022/23) will be exempted from portfolio submission in June and invited for an admission interview after JUPAS result announcement.
•
To recognise the exceptional talent of students in specific disciplines that may not be fully assessed by the HKDSE Examination, the School will consider to admit students among top 25% in secondary school ranking with outstanding achievement in any DESIGN or CREATIVE competition / award / activity resulting in nomination, award or recognition at an international level via the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme Special Talents Admission Scheme is also available for applicants with special talents in sports, arts and culture, community service and leadership, and STEM.
https://polyu.hk/URaVl
Local Non-JUPAS Year 1 Applicants
Entrance Requirements
• A-Level: E in 3 A-Level subjects or E in 2 A-Level and 2 AS-Level subjects and satisfy the English Language Requirement; OR
• International Baccalaureate: a minimum score of 24 with at least grade 4 in 2
• Higher Level: (HL) subjects and satisfy the English Language Requirement; OR
• Diploma/ Higher Certificate: an appropriate Diploma passed with credit or an appropriate Higher Certificate from a recognised institution; OR
• Higher Diploma/ Associate Degree: an appropriate Higher Diploma/ Associate Degree from a recognised institution (may alternatively apply for Senior Year Places. See next page); OR
• other non-local qualifications,
• AND satisfy the English Language Requirement.
Admissions Arrangement
• Applicants with good A-Level/ IB results or the equivalent may be granted up to 25% credit transfer. Each applicant’s case will be considered based on its individual merits.
• Preference will be given to students with good language skill.
• Applicants are required to submit their portfolios online and will be invited to interviews and portfolio presentation.
International Applicants
Entrance Requirements
• GCE Advanced Level or International Advanced Level: passes in 3 AL, or 2 AL and 2 AS subjects (preferably at least BBB in 3 AL subjects); OR
• International Baccalaureate: a minimum score of 24 with at least grade 4 in 2 Higher Level (HL) subjects (being the minimum eligibility criteria only) (preferably attained a score of 30 or above, including bonus point); OR
• other non-local qualifications,
• AND satisfy the English Language Requirement.
Admissions Arrangement
• Applicants with good results in the GCEAL/ International AL/ IB can be granted up to 25% credit transfer.
• Applicants are required to submit their portfolios online and will be invited to online interviews with portfolio presentation.
Chinese Mainland Applicants
Entrance Requirements
Applicants with excellent Joint Entrance Exam for Universities in PRC (JEE) results and a good grade in English Language.
Admissions Arrangement
Preferences will be given to applicants with outstanding performance in academic subject competitions or non-academic domains. Applicants are required to submit their portfolios online and will be invited to online interviews. For details, please contact us.
Portfolios
Applicants are required to submit their portfolio during the application procedure. Portfolios can be Creative and/or STEAM focused, depending on the preference, strengths and backgrounds of the applicant.
Generally speaking, a Creative Portfolio is suitable for applicants with art and design-related background and a basic understanding of what design is. For those with non-art and design backgrounds, a STEAM Portfolio or Maker Portfolio may be a more suitable direction.
Visit our website for details on portfolio.
Senior Year Programmes
Senior Year Programmes
BA (Hons) in
• Advertising Design
• Communication Design
• Environment and Interior Design
• Product Design
Entrance Requirements
An Associate Degree or a Higher Diploma in Design/Design Studies from a recognised institution.
Admissions Arrangement
• Preference will be given to applicants with good language skills.
• Applicants may be asked to submit their portfolios and invited to interviews and portfolio presentation.
BA (Hons) in
• Social Design Entrance Requirements
Applicants must hold an Associate Degree or a Higher Diploma in Design/ Design Studies, Social Sciences, Technology or related discipline (e.g. Business Studies) from a recognised institution.
Admissions Arrangement
• Applicants are expected to have good language skills.
• Applicants are required to submit a creative personal statement by application deadline.
• Applicants may be asked to submit their portfolios and invited to interviews and portfolio presentation.
Enquiries
BA (Hons) Scheme in Design (4-year)/ BA (Hons) in Design (Senior Year)
Tel: (852) 2766 5488/ 2766 4353
Email: wting@polyu.edu.hk/ jennifer.lo@polyu.edu.hk
BA (Hons) in Digital Media
Entrance Requirements
A
Diploma
Interview Arrangement
Selected applicants
BA (Hons) in Interactive Media
Entrance Requirements
A Higher Diploma
Admissions Arrangement
Selected
Tuition
a recognised
interview between
Design, Digital Entertainment,