The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

What The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design) does

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design) is an academic unit within The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a publicly funded research university in Hong Kong SAR. Tracing its origins to the design department established in 1964, the school operates from the Jockey Club Innovation Tower — a Zaha Hadid-designed purpose-built facility in Hung Hom, Kowloon, occupied since 2016. It serves undergraduate, taught-postgraduate, and doctoral students across multiple design disciplines, supported by approximately 133 staff.

The school's core academic offerings comprise four product lines: a four-year BA (Hons) Scheme in Design, a Senior Year entry pathway for students with prior post-secondary qualifications, taught postgraduate (master's) programmes, and a Research Postgraduate Programme (PhD). Delivery relies on hands-on physical infrastructure — fully equipped modeling workshops, a FabLab with digital fabrication and 3D printing, media production, photography, and sound studios — supplemented by Work-Integrated Education, student exchange opportunities, and an annual PolyU Design Show. The school also operates knowledge-transfer infrastructure, notably the Li Ka Shing Design and Innovation Centre and the SD Plus industry-collaboration initiative. Dean Kun-Pyo Lee (Swire Chair Professor of Design) leads the unit.

Revenue is generated through three streams: tuition and programme fees for undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts; research grants from public research councils, government bodies, and industry partners; and industry collaboration and knowledge-transfer income. Pricing is administered centrally through PolyU's admissions process and is not publicly disclosed. Marketing occurs primarily through organic social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, YouTube, Weibo), website content, email newsletter, and an annual exhibition cycle. The school pursues international academic partnerships — including a 2026 MOU with University of the Arts London and a 2026 PolyU-WUT Joint Laboratory with Warsaw University of Technology — as a stated strategic priority.

Name

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

Legal name

School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Website

https://polyudesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PolyU Design is the design school of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, offering BA (Hons), taught master's, and PhD design programmes from the Zaha Hadid-designed Jockey Club Innovation Tower in Kowloon, supported by FabLab facilities, knowledge-transfer partnerships, and student exchange programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Design Education)

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (541420), Graphic Design Services (541430), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC), Digital Arts & Design (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation) (EDAMAAAB)

Keywords

• Design education programs
• Higher education research
• Undergraduate design degrees
• Knowledge transfer services
• Industrial design training

Headquarters

HQ city

Hung Hom, Kowloon

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Programme Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, including BA Hons Scheme in Design, Taught Postgraduate Programmes, and Research Postgraduate Programmes (PhD)
2. Research Grants and Funding: Funding from research councils, government bodies, and industry partners for design research projects and collaborations
3. Industry Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer: Revenue from cooperative projects, industry partnerships, and the Li Ka Shing Design and Innovation Centre engagements

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PolyU Design is a design school within The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, delivering undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and doctoral design programmes supported by hands-on facilities such as modeling workshops, FabLab, 3D printing, media production, photography, and sound studios. It supplements academic programmes with industry knowledge transfer through the Li Ka Shing Design and Innovation Centre and the SD Plus collaboration initiative, and produces design research output across multiple design disciplines.

Product overview

PolyU Design operates as a comprehensive design school offering a unified portfolio of educational programs and research services. The core academic offerings span four product lines: BA (Hons) Scheme in Design (4-year undergraduate), Senior Year entry pathway, Taught Postgraduate Programmes (master's), and Research Postgraduate Programme (PhD). Supporting the academic mission are facilities and workshops (modeling, material lab, Fab Lab, media production, sound studio, 3D printing, photography), knowledge transfer centers (Li Ka Shing Design and Innovation Centre, SD Plus), student development programs (Work-Integrated Education, Exchange Opportunities), and annual showcase events (PolyU Design Show). Financial support through Scholarships enables access to these programs. The school positions itself as a top-tier international design school applying Asian innovation to global opportunities under the leadership of Dean Kun-Pyo Lee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Li Ka Shing Design and Innovation Centre: A dedicated centre for design and innovation research and collaboration.
• SD Plus
• PolyU Design Show

Products and services

• BA (Hons) Scheme in Design 4-year

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• University of the Arts London (UAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026PolyU Design signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University of the Arts London to strengthen academic collaboration and exchange opportunities between the two leading design institutions.
• Warsaw University of Technology (WUT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026PolyU-WUT Joint Laboratory explores cultural empowerment in cruise design, specifically related to the Maritime Silk Road exhibition showcasing design collaboration in maritime heritage.
• European Academic InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025PolyU Design Leadership strengthened global ties in Europe through new academic partnerships. The school is actively expanding its international network of academic collaborations.
• Li Ka Shing FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Li Ka Shing Design and Innovation Centre at PolyU Design serves as a hub for design innovation and knowledge transfer, funded through the Li Ka Shing Foundation's support.
• Hong Kong Jockey ClubflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Jockey Club Innovation Tower, funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, provides state-of-the-art facilities for the School of Design, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in design education.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Parsons School of Design (The New School): Elite US design school offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with strong industry integration. Directly comparable as a top international design school serving both degree-seeking students and industry partners.
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): Leading US art and design school offering interdisciplinary design programmes. Comparable as a top international design institution with similar BA/MA/PhD structure and industry engagement.
• Royal College of Art: Top-tier postgraduate-only design school in London with comparable global standing. Directly comparable as an elite international design school offering advanced design education and industry collaboration.
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): One of the oldest and most prestigious US design schools offering BA, MA, and specialised programmes. Comparable as a leading international design college with strong industrial design, graphic design, and interior architecture offerings.
• Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture: Nordic design school combining arts, design, and architecture with strong international research focus. Comparable as a multidisciplinary top-tier international design school with industry collaboration.
• Carnegie Mellon University School of Design: US design school known for product, communication, and interaction design with strong research orientation. Comparable in offering research-led design education and industry partnerships.
• Pratt Institute: US design school with comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in industrial, graphic, communication, and interior design. Directly comparable in scope and global reputation.
• Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London): Flagship design college of UAL and a recent PolyU Design MOU partner (April 2026). Directly comparable as a globally leading design school offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes with strong industry ties.

Regional players

• National University of Singapore — College of Design and Engineering: Asia-based peer with strong design and engineering programmes and major government backing. Comparable regional competitor in Asian higher education design space, serving overlapping international and industry audiences.
• Hong Kong Baptist University — Academy of Visual Arts: Hong Kong-based design and visual arts school. Comparable as a regional Hong Kong higher education institution competing for similar student and faculty pools and offering industry-facing design programmes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hkpolyudesign
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SDPolyU
• Facebookfacebook.com/PolyUDesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/polyudesign
• Instagraminstagram.com/polyudesign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)