The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Design (PolyU Design) is currently hosting its annual PolyU Design Show 2025, running from June 6 to August 8 at the Jockey Club Innovation Tower in Hung Hom, Kowloon. This year’s showcase is one of the most ambitious to date, featuring over 250 innovative projects created by undergraduate and master’s students across various design disciplines.
The theme of the 2025 exhibition centers on technology-driven design and solutions to global challenges. Visitors to the show can explore a diverse array of work that includes personal storytelling through visual media, commercial product innovations, and community-enhancing service designs. Many projects take a forward-thinking approach by addressing environmental sustainability, technological integration, and social wellbeing.
A Launchpad for Creative Futures
The PolyU Design Show has long served as a critical platform for emerging designers in Hong Kong and beyond. By giving students an opportunity to publicly present their final year and capstone projects, the event connects fresh talent with industry leaders, potential employers, and fellow creatives.
Each project reflects a unique narrative and design journey. Whether tackling mental health awareness through interactive media or developing ergonomic furniture using sustainable materials, students are empowered to express their design philosophy and innovation capacity.
This year, disciplines represented at the show include Advertising Design, Communication Design, Digital Media, Environment and Interior Design, Interactive Media, Product Design, and Social Design. Postgraduate programs are also well represented, with students from Innovative Business Design, Smart Service Design, Intelligent Systems Design, and Transitional Environments Design contributing projects that demonstrate advanced critical thinking and real-world application.
Innovation at the Core
One of the standout features of the 2025 showcase is the significant use of emerging technologies across many projects. Artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and smart system integrations are prominently featured, with students leveraging these tools to enhance both functionality and user engagement.
Examples include a smart lighting system that adjusts to mood and environment, VR simulations that offer immersive cultural experiences, and AI-based tools for personalized education. These innovations not only highlight technical proficiency but also a thoughtful consideration of the human experience and global impact.
Several student teams have developed products aimed at underserved communities, focusing on inclusive design. For instance, one group has prototyped an affordable, modular housing concept for refugees that can be rapidly deployed and customized. Another student designed an app-based platform that connects elderly users with digital literacy coaches, aiming to bridge the generational tech divide.
Exhibition Format: Blending Digital and Physical
The show is housed in the iconic Jockey Club Innovation Tower, a landmark of architectural ingenuity designed to reflect the forward-looking ethos of the design school. Within this creative space, visitors can experience the physical installations of the projects, interact with prototypes, and view multimedia presentations.
For those unable to attend in person, the PolyU Design Show 2025 also features a robust virtual exhibition. This digital showcase includes an immersive 3D gallery, detailed project descriptions, and student interviews, providing global access to the innovations on display. The online component ensures that international stakeholders and design enthusiasts can engage with the work around the clock.
Preparing the Next Generation of Design Leaders
PolyU Design has built a strong reputation for fostering creative talent that contributes meaningfully to global design conversations. The Design Show acts as a capstone for students, offering them an opportunity to synthesize years of learning into impactful, portfolio-worthy projects.
Instructors and mentors work closely with students throughout the development process, guiding them through ideation, research, prototyping, and presentation. Many students report that the experience is not only a professional milestone but also a deeply personal and transformative journey.
By bridging academic knowledge with societal application, the 2025 Design Show underlines the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and innovation in the design world. It also reinforces the school’s commitment to cultivating design leaders who are equipped to address the complexities of a rapidly changing global landscape.
Visiting the Show
External visitors who wish to attend the physical exhibition must pre-register for access at least five working days in advance. Registration grants a QR code that permits entry to the university campus. PolyU students, faculty, and staff with existing access credentials may visit the exhibition during its open hours without prior arrangement.
The exhibition is free of charge and welcomes attendees from all backgrounds, including industry professionals, educators, students from other institutions, and members of the general public with an interest in design and innovation.
