Global and local creativity takes centre stage at DesignInspire in Hong Kong
Showcasing Hong Kong’s creative spirit through design, innovation and global collaboration
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This December, DesignInspire 2024 will be staged at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, spotlighting Hong Kong’s vibrant creative ecosystem while presenting international contributions.
Running from December 5 to 7, the event themed "Design For A Better Tomorrow" offers a platform for established and emerging Hong Kong designers, artists and innovators to showcase their creativity, demonstrating the city’s position as a hub where tradition and technology converge.
Among the event’s key highlights is the Future Archive, curated by interdisciplinary artist and designer Howard Cheng Chi-lai. Known for his media art and interactive installations, Cheng’s work invites visitors to engage actively, transforming them into participants rather than passive observers.
"I want to create an experience," Cheng explains, "where people are reminded of familiar actions, like opening a drawer or sliding a panel, but in a way that encourages them to explore the installation with a sense of curiosity and discovery."
His installation is designed to draw viewers into a multi-layered space where lines, shapes, and textures shift depending on the angle.
“When people enter my installations, I want them to feel like they are exploring their own homes. Everyday gestures, such as pulling open a drawer, become part of their connection to the work. It’s these familiar actions that create lasting memories,” Cheng adds.
Cheng’s installation is a sophisticated blend of optical illusions, transparency and layered materials, including carbon, crafted to evoke diverse perceptions. He hopes each viewer will encounter a "third work" – a unique synthesis created by the interaction of light, materials, and perspective.
“Viewers might catch glimpses of another artist’s work in the background, generating fresh visual dialogues between pieces,” he says. “This layering and cross-viewing, I believe, speaks to the idea of an archive… not only of objects but of interactions and shared moments.”
Cheng’s Future Archive pavilion is complemented by other immersive works.
Multimedia artist Chris Cheung (aka h0nh1m) and his creative team at XPLOR present "Memori", 3D-printed sonification sculptures exploring the auditory landscapes of the past, present and future, set in an installation designed by internationally renowned architect Steve Leung.
The collaborative work, Triadic Lane, inspired by the evocative echoes of Kai Tak, presents a vibrant red path extending towards infinity. The path symbolises the continuous journey of life and the search for meaning within its transient nature.
Meanwhile, designer Li Ning explores the complexities of the future, inspired by Kan Tai-Keung's watercolour draft that combines geometric shapes and calligraphy featuring the phrase “Creating the Future”.
Li Ning envisioned a game controller stripped of geometric shapes, leaving only the "X" button. From this incomplete controller, he extended the artwork into scenes where people move in different directions within their frames, much like how a viewer's eyes choose which layer of the scenes to pause and read.
By doing so, he hopes to make viewers forget the distance between the frame and reality while contemplating whether they themselves are on a screen being observed by others.
"A Better Future" is a collaborative work by Hong Kong artist Katol and Master Mak Kam-sang, featuring hand-painted names of various districts on the front of a mini-bus. Presented in both Chinese and English, it reflects Hong Kong's multiculturalism and urban characteristics.
This creative form pays tribute to an important element of the city’s public transportation network and represents a continuation and innovation of Hong Kong culture. The vibrant colours and typography layout bring the work to life and evoke contemplation of the city’s unique landscape.
For the young and the young-at-heart eager to immerse themselves in the creative process, the Interactive Art Tech Experience & Drawing Zone is a must-see. This space combines cutting-edge technology with hands-on opportunities for participants to explore their artistic potential.
From virtual reality painting to AI-assisted design tools, the zone showcases how emerging technologies are revolutionising creative expression.
The Drawing Zone also features interactive projections, where participants can see their sketches transformed into large-scale visual displays in real time, offering an engaging and collaborative artistic experience.
Visitors can try their hand at drawing and co-create the future with renowned local watercolour artist Pei Chung in his artwork "Dazzling Dreams".
He imagines a fascinating future shaped by design and innovation, incorporating Hong Kong’s iconic urban symbols with interactive elements. This allows visitors to experience the creative fusion of watercolour art and digital technology.
Meanwhile, the “Streetlight Sonata” zone is an interactive installation that incorporates Hong Kong streetlight elements, with backgrounds changing according to visitors' movements and steps, creating unique light and shadow effects.
Workshops and demonstrations by local and international artists offer an inside look into the creative process, bridging the gap between innovation and tradition.
In addition to its exhibitions, DesignInspire 2024 offers a wealth of inspirational activities, including the InnoTalks series, where international and local industry leaders will explore emerging design trends and groundbreaking practices.
Visitors can also participate in STEAM courses and hands-on workshops, exploring everything from AR song composition to traditional bamboo weaving techniques.
For those looking to take home a piece of creativity, the Shop Zone will feature collectors’ items from renowned designers and brands. Meanwhile, the Academy will showcase the work of the next generation of talent, providing a glimpse into the future of design.
A dialogue between local and global design
While Maison&Objet Design Factory makes its debut in Hong Kong, the event’s broader focus on local ingenuity remains its anchor.
The factory boasts over 120 designers and brands, divided into five thematic zones. One of these, “Nature, the Muse!”, curated by Jiang Qiong Er, pairs Chinese artisans with French master craftsmen to explore cultural fusion.
Other sections include “Conscious Staging”, a residential space designed by Normal Studio that showcases sustainable living, and “Shades of Sustainability”, created by Uchronia, which exhibits bold, innovative pieces crafted with eco-friendly materials.
This year's DesignInspire will feature a Hong Kong Design On Stage zone, showcasing eight local design teams that won the Hong Kong section competition at Paris' Maison&Objet, including: Studio Yellowdot, Studio-Ryte, Hintegro Limited, Green & Associates (HK) Limited, @StreetsignHK, Monica Tsang Designs Limited, MLKK Design Studio Limited, and BEAU Architects.
DesignInspire 2024 breaks free from the confines of a traditional exhibition, offering a celebration of Hong Kong’s vibrant creative scene and its exchange with the global design community.
The event is sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA).
Date: December 5-7, 2024
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Register for free admission: https://bit.ly/3U7ADOJ