Since the 1960s, traditional crafts have played a vital role in shaping Hong Kong's cultural identity and light industry. The transmission of craft skills from masters to apprentices has been essential for preserving Hong Kong's tangible and visual culture. However, the number of practicing craftspeople is dwindling due to various factors, highlighting the urgency of preserving and adapting these traditions for future generations. This course delves into the rich tapestry of Hong Kong's craft heritage, exploring how local traditions and practices can inform and inspire contemporary product design, particularly within the context of space-saving solutions for dense urban environments.

With an emphasis on practical skills, this course offers students an interdisciplinary entry point to creative design and problem-solving. Students will develop a deep understanding of the cultural narratives, social contexts, and material culture associated with Hong Kong crafts. Furthermore, they will explore the concept and principles of space as a social resource, examining how space-saving design can address the unique spatial challenges of Hong Kong. Global design classics, such as the Swiss Army knife and Shaker furniture, will serve as case studies illustrating the relationship between physical space, cultural practices, and the design of tools and objects.

Through hands-on workshops, design charrettes, and in-depth studio practice, students will learn to translate cultural insights and space-saving principles into innovative and meaningful product designs. They will gain practical experience in the entire product design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and presentation, while fostering a critical awareness of the role of culture and space in shaping design. Students will also develop critical thinking skills through design analysis and critique, applying these skills to both historical and contemporary examples of craft-inspired and space-saving design. This investigative study and immersive experience will enhance students' sensibility towards materials, tools, and crafts, opening new interdisciplinary opportunities and contributing to the ongoing evolution of Hong Kong's craft traditions.