More than 200 exhibitors are expected to attend this year’s DesignInspire, an annual creative showcase organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). DesignInspire 2024 will run on 5-7 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
A notable highlight at this year’s exhibition promises to be the Maison&Objet Design Factory, a 1,000-square metre installation presented by Maison&Objet, the prestigious French design fair.
This specially curated experiential journey, which is appearing at DesignInspire for the first time, features more than 120 brands and designers from Asia and Europe, emphasising Hong Kong’s positioning as an East-Meets-West centre for cultural exchange.
In addition to France, DesignInspire will also host exhibitors from Mainland China, the Czech Republic, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand as well as Hong Kong to showcase the latest design innovations and trends.
“As an internationally acclaimed centre of design excellence in Asia, Hong Kong has always played a vital role in promoting global creative industry development,” said Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC.
The power of collaboration will also be on show at the Future Archive, a special segment focused on creative partnerships curated by Chilai Howard, an award-winning designer and cross-disciplinary artist from Hong Kong.
In the Future Archive, Mr Howard has paired experienced practitioners with emerging young talents to produce some groundbreaking work.
Meanwhile, two other renowned Hong Kong artists – watercolourist Pei Chung and digital visual specialist moon.noon – will present some of their latest works in a dedicated art tech interactive zone.
Some of Hong Kong’s best-known design institutions will also take part in this year’s show.
The Hong Kong Design Institute will present its Motifx project, which invites artists and young designers to reinterpret historical Chinese patterns.
The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) will have its own pavilion where it will display creations from its fashion and design incubation programmes as well as the winners from its Design for Asia awards.
Hong Kong creativity will also be on show at another special zone where the eight Hong Kong design teams who won the Hong Kong Design on Stage at Maison&Objet 2024 competition will present their winning work. These winning designs were also shown in Paris during Maison&Objet’s design fair in September.
DesignInspire will also feature seminars and workshops to stimulate creative thinking. These will include a series of InnoTalks on a variety of topics by international design experts.
DesignInspire 2024 has been co-organised by the HKDC and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Hong Kong SAR Government.
The event will run alongside two other HKTDC events at the HKCEC: the Business of IP Asia Forum, which brings together IP professionals and business leaders; and Entrepreneur Day, an annual platform where start-ups can showcase their solutions and innovations.
