As a leading creative hub in Asia, Hong Kong is a natural design centre. And Mainland China, the factory of the world, is a natural outlet for Hong Kong’s design talents. China’s Anhui province, just inland of the Yangtze Delta, is eager to take on Hong Kong designs. The province is a rapidly growing smart manufacturing centre and Hefei is the site of the country’s first Advanced Technology Application and Promotion Centre.
In September the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) DesignInspire In Motion organised a creative mission to Hefei, capital of Anhui province, to connect brands from the mainland with Hong Kong designers, practitioners, and branding consultants to enhance their creative capabilities.
20 Hong Kong delegates from various design disciplines, ranging from branding and packaging, digital design and art tech to architecture and interior design, participated.
The programme comprised networking events, business matching and market visits to manufacturers, retailing and hospitality enterprises, real estate developers and museums to explore collaboration between Hong Kong designers and Hefei enterprises.
A well-established manufacturing giant, Japan also has a large and diverse design scene. With the aim to help Hong Kong and Japanese designers learn from each other and collaborate in mutual projects, Designinspire led a creative mission to Tokyo in October.
DesignInspire In Motion took 20 Hong Kong delegates from various design disciplines, ranging from architecture and interior design, branding to graphic, product and fashion design.
On this mission, delegates engaged in networking and business matching and visited Japanese industry associations, leading enterprises and relevant multipliers to explore collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong designers and Japan enterprises as well as enhance overseas market insights.
In addition to the mission, DesignInspire gave Japan a taste of Hong Kong creativity in October through the 10-day exhibition Design Through Heritage at Tokyo’s style hub Omotesando. It was organised by the HKTDC, with Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Hong Kong SAR Government as the Lead Sponsor.
The exhibition showcased 24 works from some 20 design groups, bringing Hong Kong’s design talents to Tokyo and further promoting the development of Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industry. The exhibition has returned to Hong Kong and is on to display at Times Square until 30 November.
DesignInspire – Design Through Heritage is divided into three main themes: Cityscape of Hong Kong, (Re)Industrialisation and Traditional and Future Crafts. The Design Through Heritage artworks were inspired by the urban experiences of Hong Kong. Hong Kong designers portray the past, present and future of Hong Kong through innovative expressions and historical craftsmanship.
The exhibition will also be on display at the HKTDC’s Chill 11 festival, which debuts at AsiaWorld-Expo from 23 to 26 December. The event brings together arts and culture, F&B exhibitors and brands as well as consumer and entertainment industries, creating a unique art market event.
In addition to bringing together more than 150 exhibitors, Chill 11 will offer nearly 70 performances, activities and workshops, bringing a different kind of cultural and creative Christmas to the general public.
The Chill 11 art market also gives small and medium-sized local brands, an opportunity to reach out to the GBA market, showcasing Hong Kong's creative power and cultural soft power.
