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A showcase of more than 100 innovative yet usable products exploring how product design contributes to our modern lifestyle will be open to the public from tomorrow (November 26).
"Better Living ¡ª Product Design Contributes", the fourth exhibition of the Hong Kong Design Series, will run at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum until June 25, 2007. This presentation of local innovative products is the first of its kind to be held in the museum.
The exhibition was opened today (November 25) by the Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) of Leisure and Cultural Services (LCSD), Dr Louis Ng, Guest Curator, Professor Yanta Lam of the School of Design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Member of the Committee on Museums of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Alan Yip, Museum Adviser of the LCSD, Mr Dennis Chan, and Chief Curator of Heritage Museum, Mr Tom Ming Kay-chuen.
The exhibition is to explore how product design enhances modern living. All the objects used in our daily life have, in one way or another, been designed and produced; thus providing us with all the conveniences of modern living. However, not all of them are necessarily well designed and successfully marketed.
A well designed product nowadays is not only characterised by its practical usage and physical form; it also has to convey something more meaningful in order to be competitive in a volatile consumer market. A good product designer has to consider the technological innovation, production skill, economic conditions, society needs, consumer habits, latest trends of development; as well as a good marketing strategy and a sharp business sense before creating, producing and launching a new product. All these factors influence the direction of design and give rise to constant innovative changes. Products in a way have played a significant role in shaping the way we live and thus creating a new lifestyle from generation to generation.
In this exhibition, Professor Yanta Lam in collaboration with 16 renowned and up-and-coming product designers or design companies showcase more than 100 successful products and experimental projects, illustrating how product design can improve the standard of living and make life more pleasurable in the 21st century.
Sixteen participating teams are Philip Design, Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Ltd, Vtech Telecommunications Ltd, Techtronic Industries Company Ltd., Gabriel Tong, Benny Leong, Patrick Hui, Alan Yip, Lee Chi Wing, Brian Lee and Denise Chan, Sunhing Millennium Ltd, Winnif Pang, Mo Mou and David Leung, May Wong, Luisa Szeman Mok and Lau Puichung, and Prudence Mak. Through their works, they share their perspectives, ideals, experience and creative methods with visitors.
The wide variety of products on display include industrial products, home appliances, household and personal products, personal audio equipment and furniture.
Apart from product display, the exhibition also covers the design process from the conceptual stage to the finished product with lively illustrations, personal interviews and musical enhancement. It offers visitors a glimpse into the inventive thinking of the creative teams.
Located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, the Heritage Museum opens from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays). Admission is $10, with a half-price concession for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and full-time students. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
Car parking is available at the Heritage Museum. Those who prefer to use public transport may take the KCR Ma On Shan line to the Che Kung Temple station, which is within five minutes¡¯ walk of the museum.
For enquiries, call 2180 8188. For details of the exhibition, visit the Heritage Museum's website at http://hk.heritage.museum/.
Ends/Saturday, November 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:15
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