Hong Kong Smart Design Awards: A Voice for Local Designers
Over the past two decades, Hong Kong has emerged as a regional design hub, fuelled by the rise of local talents and the rapid growth of design firms.
Launched by the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association in 2012, the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards (HKSDA) aim to inspire and encourage designers to push the boundaries of creativity while integrating smart technologies into their work. By fostering a culture of innovation, the awards seek to highlight the importance of design in addressing contemporary challenges, such as sustainability, urban living and user experience.
The awards play a crucial role in supporting local designers by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents on both a local and international stage. By celebrating excellence in design, the program not only uplifts individual creators but also strengthens the overall design community in Hong Kong, positioning the city as a hub for innovative design in the region.
On the occasion of the HKSDA 2025, we decided to give voices to two homegrown designers, Michelle Wing-Man YUEN and Wai-Ho NG.
Michelle Wing-Man YUEN
Puff Pastry Egg Tart Bed
Category: Toys & Games
Award: Gold
Green Award: Finalist
Why did you choose the local iconic egg tart as an inspiration to design the product?
The egg tart, or dan tat, is a cherished symbol of Hong Kong’s culinary and cultural identity, evoking warmth, nostalgia and community. As a Hong Kong native, I grew up enjoying these flaky, custard-filled pastries at local cha chaan tengs, where they represent shared moments of joy. I chose the egg tart as inspiration for the Puff Pastry Egg Tart Bed to infuse that same sense of delight into a functional pet product, specifically for cats, who are beloved companions in our space-conscious city.
The bed’s egg-tart shape, with its iconic crimped edges, creates a whimsical, instantly recognisable design that sparks conversation and celebrates Hong Kong’s heritage. Its ability to transform into nine configurations mirrors the egg tart’s simple yet versatile charm, offering cats dynamic play and rest environments. Designed with foldable, eco-friendly paper, the bed addresses urban living challenges while maintaining a playful connection to our local culture, making it both practical and emotionally resonant.
Can you tell us more about your background? Why did you choose to become a designer?
I have a Higher Diploma in Creative Jewellery Design from the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE). My early training in jewellery design honed my passion for intricate shapes, fine details and functionality, which became the foundation for my approach to product design.
Growing up in Hong Kong’s vibrant, fast-paced environment, I was fascinated by how design could solve everyday challenges, from maximising small living spaces to enhancing user experiences. My jewellery background taught me to prioritise material selection and craftsmanship. I chose to become a designer to merge my love for storytelling, cultural connection, and problem-solving.
What is your design philosophy in general?
My design philosophy centres on “playful sustainability”—creating products that are innovative, eco-conscious and infused with joy to foster meaningful connections between users, their environments and their communities. I start every project by selecting sustainable materials, like the recyclable paper used in the Puff Pastry Egg Tart Bed, ensuring designs are environmentally responsible without sacrificing functionality or beauty.
Inspired by my jewellery design roots, I focus on intricate details and versatile forms, crafting products that adapt to users’ needs—such as the bed’s nine configurations and adjustable catnip track for mental stimulation. I also draw from cultural narratives, like Hong Kong’s egg tart, to make designs feel personal and engaging. My goal is to balance practicality, aesthetics, and environmental impact, creating objects that delight, endure, and inspire sustainable living in a world where thoughtful design matters more than ever.
Wai-Ho NG
WayWay Super-Concentrated Fragrance Laundry Pods New Year Edition
Category: Gifts
Gold Award: Finalist
What part of Hong Kong culture and visual identity did you use as inspiration to design the product?
The product we designed is a laundry detergent pod, inspired by Hong Kong’s cultural traditions and visual elements. Specifically, we drew inspiration from the custom of cleaning the house on the 28th day of the Lunar New Year, which symbolises clearing out bad luck and preparing for a fresh start.
For the visual design, we incorporated elements of the Chinese calendar and its signature green patterns, which are recognisable and symbolic to our local audience. These patterns not only evoke a sense of tradition but also add a modern touch to the product packaging.
Additionally, the fragrance of the product is derived from pomelo leaves, which hold significant meaning in Chinese culture. Traditionally, pomelo leaves are used to dispel bad energy and bring good fortune. This combination of cultural symbolism and functional fragrance ties the product closely to Hong Kong’s traditions, making it both meaningful and practical for our consumers.
Can you tell us more about your background? Why did you choose to become a designer?
My background in design stems from a deep curiosity about how visuals can influence emotions, behaviour, and communication. I was particularly fascinated by how design can bridge gaps between ideas and people.
Growing up, I was always drawn to creative problem-solving—whether it was sketching, crafting, or simply redesigning everyday objects to make them more functional or appealing. Over time, I realised that design wasn’t just about creating something beautiful; it was about creating something meaningful and impactful.
I chose to become a designer because I’m passionate about telling stories through visuals and creating designs that resonate with people. For me, design is not just about aesthetics but also about crafting experiences, solving problems, and connecting with an audience in a way words alone cannot. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how thoughtful design can make a difference in someone’s life—whether it’s a product they use daily or a visual that sparks an emotional connection.
What is your design philosophy in general?
To me, design is fundamentally about communication—it’s the process of turning ideas into something tangible that speaks to people. Good design doesn’t just exist for its own sake; it has to tell a story, evoke emotions, and create connections. It’s about simplifying complex ideas and making them accessible and relatable, whether through visuals, structure, or experience.
In the case of this product, the design process started with collaboration across teams. While the R&D team and marketing team worked to develop functional aspects like the pomelo leaf-derived formula, my role was to ensure the design communicated those ideas effectively.
Packaging design, in particular, demands clarity and impact—it needs to grab attention and deliver a message within just three seconds. For this product, the design had to reflect cultural traditions, convey functionality, and stand out visually. The challenge was to combine these elements into something that feels meaningful and memorable to the consumer.