HKDI students sweep top three prizes in two competitions showcasing design flair and panache
HKDI students sweep top three prizes in two competitions showcasing design flair and panache
30 Nov 2017
Students and graduates of HKDI have emerged with flying colours in two different open design competitions recently. In the 19th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition, they claimed the championship and first and second runner-up prizes in the Student Group, as well as first runner-up prize in the Open Group and the Made-to-Sell Award. Then in the Hong Kong Students Design Competition on Fei Cui Jewellery in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Reunification of Hong Kong with China, they likewise took the top three prizes in the Post-Secondary Institutes and Design Institutes category, in addition to winning 11 merit awards.
HKDI Year Two student of the Higher Diploma in Jewellery and Image Product Design, CHAN Cho-man, was champion of the Student Group in the 19th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition with her work named “Coiled”. Cho-man wears glasses daily, but finds them awkward when donning beautiful attire for grand occasions like parties and weddings – so she chose gold and silver colours for her entry to ensure the wearer a gorgeous look when attending different social occasions. Feeling elated with the result, Cho-man thanked HKDI for the periodic updates it arranges with leaders in the field, which enable her to keep abreast of the latest industry trends and take a bold approach in her designs.
HKDI graduate of the Higher Diploma in Jewellery & Image Product Design, WONG Wing-kit, was first runner-up with his work named “Photograph”. Wing-kit feels that today’s ubiquity of smartphones has reduced the opportunities for direct communication, as his friends at gatherings are always busy taking pictures and uploading them to social platforms. This phenomenon prompted him to infuse the element of a camera lens into his eyewear design to remind the wearer not to get too absorbed in the “Pepperazzi” culture and neglect precious moments together. Wing-kit was thrilled with his win and commended HKDI teachers for their tireless dedication in inspiring students to create unique products. To prepare for a career in the design industry, he is currently studying the top-up degree Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Jewellery and Metalwork programme, in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University of the UK.
HKDI Year Two student of the Higher Diploma in Jewellery and Image Product Design, TSE Yuen-sin, was second runner-up in the Student Group with her work entitled “Edge”. She put the concept of a circuit board on to her eyewear design to give it a technological feel, aiming to bring out the message that technology is closely entwined with every aspect of life nowadays.
In the Open Group, HKDI graduate SO Yiu-kwok, now a designer with Mondottica International, clinched first runner-up prize for the second year in a row and this time added the Made-to-Sell Award. His work “Motor” combines the three styles of classic retro, sports and everyday life, using a unique assembly design that allows the user to adapt the eyewear to different environments and create an appropriate look, simply by manipulating the frame, arms and hinges of the spectacles.
Meanwhile HKDI students shone in the Post-Secondary Institutes and Design Institutes category of the Hong Kong Students Design Competition on Fei Cui Jewellery. Year Two HKDI student of the Higher Diploma in Jewellery Design & Technology CHAN Tsz-leung took the top prize with his vividly-crafted brooch design deploying the twisting patterns of a dragon to portray the geographical outline of China – with a pearl on the dragon’s back symbolising Hong Kong, Pearl of the Orient. Another Year Two student of the Higher Diploma in Jewellery Design and Technology, MAK Choi-wan, was first runner-up in the same category with her pendant design featuring a jade pine implanted on an ornament symbolising China, and a swallow returning to the nest representing Hong Kong returning to the Motherland. The whole piece resembles the Chinese character meaning “Prosperity”. Choi-wan thanked HKDI for providing the students with various opportunities to demonstrate their creativity. Meanwhile Year Two student of the Higher Diploma in Jewellery Design and Technology, Annette CHAN, was second runner-up in the Tertiary and Design Institute category with her brooch entry named “Reunion”.
The Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition is a joint initiative by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association to enhance the quality of local eyewear design, encouraging local designers to unleash their creativity, and promoting Hong Kong designs to international buyers. The theme of this year’s 19th event was “Free Flow”. Designers competed in two categories, the Open Group and Student Group. Entries were judged on such criteria as creativity, design, function and market potential.
Organised by the Hong Kong Jewellery and Jade Manufacturers Association, the Hong Kong Students Design Competition on Fei Cui Jewellery was a designated celebration event for the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Themed “Crowning”, the competition was divided into the Secondary Three to Six and the Post-Secondary Institutes and Design Institutes categories, and was aimed at encouraging students to express their personal feelings on the reunification of Hong Kong with China.
