Exploring the future of design in Hong Kong

In December 2018, four Master of Architecture students were selected to travel to Hong Kong to attend Business of Design Week as special guests of the Hong Kong Design Centre.

BoDW students

Every year since 2002, the Hong Kong Design Centre brings together the world’s leading design masters, business figures and creative thought leaders for its Business of Design Week (BoDW). The event serves as an important platform for business and innovation leaders to exchange ideas, network and explore new business opportunities.

The most recent BoDW held in December 2018 saw four Melbourne School of Design Master of Architecture students travel to Hong Kong to experience the conference first-hand as sponsored guests of the Hong Kong Design Centre. They joined a selection of invited students from design institutions across Victoria to take part in a series of events and excursions which showcased the city and its landmarks.

“It was an opportunity of a lifetime” says Diana Galimova, one of the students selected to travel to Hong Kong. “I’ve always kept up to date with international design conferences through their websites and media coverage, and have always dreamed of one day attending one in a global design hub like Hong Kong” says Diana, who initially didn’t believe she had been chosen to attend the fully-funded trip: “I was in shock!”

The students made the most of their jam-packed itinerary, attending talks, panel sessions, networking events, forums and tours. They also made a point to experience as much of Hong Kong as a city as they could, taking in the bustling streetscapes, trying local foods, visiting galleries and museums and exploring the city’s specialty coffee culture.

The presentations from major technology firms Huawei, Samsung, and Alibaba at the Service Designevent were a definite highlight of the trip. While the presentations from these particular firms were not specifically relevant to traditional notions of architectural design, they covered key issues relating to the way technology is impacting the future of the design profession as a whole.

“The experience has influenced my thoughts on the future of the design industry, particularly in terms of the impact of emerging technologies, which are already being adopted in other industries” explains Diana.

Diana notes that although she learnt a lot through attending the conference presentations and forums, she particularly benefited from the one-on-one interactions with industry professionals, presenters, sponsors, and other conference attendees. A common theme in her interactions with attendees was the impact of blockchain and cryptocurrencies on the design sector, particularly in relation to design and construction.

Overall, Diana says she will return to her studies this year with a renewed clarity and better sense of direction related to her personal aspirations in her career.

“One of the best things a designer (or design student) can do is travel”, says Diana.  “The experiences abroad help enrich your understanding of the world, as well as give you a greater body of design knowledge to draw upon for inspiration. Knowing this, I made sure to take notes, produce quick sketches, and take hundreds of photographs throughout my stay in Hong Kong.”

Melbourne was the official partner city for Business of Design Week 2018.