Hong Kong Design Centre

As we shift to the age of technology and innovation, new trends come and go in the blink of an eye. Hong Kong, a global hub of economic activities and innovations, plays a pivotal role in the game. For local designers aiming to create their own brands in this dynamic environment, building up a new business requires not only ambition and capital, but also technology, networking and a deep understanding of the business environment.

To help new players catch up with the ever-changing business landscape, Hong Kong Design Centre collaborated with the Centre for Entrepreneurship of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) once again this year to deliver the 11^th “7+1 Entrepreneurship for Design & Creative Business Certificate Programme” (abbr. “7+1”). In this strategically curated 8-module programme held from 28 June to 16 August, participants are equipped with the necessary management skills, resources and insights for running a creative business to chart for profitability and growth. The 7 lessons and the accompanying study trip (hence “7+1”) cover all aspects of entrepreneurship from customer development, marketing positioning, technology adoption and finance, to devising a business model.

“I have never heard of the Lean Startup Methodology before joining 7+1. It has overthrown my preconception of how to launch a product,” said Aimee Lee, a 7+1 participant and Art Director of Paradeisos Jewellery Limited. She used to strive for perfection before releasing a new product. ”Perfection can be subjective and imaginary. The Lean Startup Methodology taught me to launch a product more swiftly at low cost and to adopt validated learning to optimise profitability.”

Apart from practical theories, the programme also invited participants to venture to the Pearl River Delta on a field trip. They had the opportunity to visit creative clusters and startups, and to explore business potentials unleashed by the Greater Bay Area initiative for the creative and design sector. The field trip culminated with a discussion on the area’s talent incubation strategy and infrastructure.

Studio Doozy Limited, another 7+1 participant, was inspired by the close collaboration among designers in the Greater Bay Area, which poses a stark difference with the individualistic and competitive design environment in Hong Kong. “The trip made us realize the importance of a platform for the design community. Not only does it provide a way to discover and promote budding designers, but it can also foster cross-disciplinary collaborations within the creative industry.”

Despite the intensifying competition from Mainland China, Aimee from Paradeisos still believes that Hong Kong designers have an edge in Asia. “Hong Kong designers are good at making use of our existing resources and in seizing international opportunities with our global vision. We are set to enter foreign markets and expand our businesses internationally.”