Forging a Co-creation Business Model with Design x Technology

HONG KONG, 27 April 2020 –  Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), today announced the launch of the Design x Technology (DXT) initiative, a revolutionary programme aimed at facilitating local designers to collaborate with technology companies. DXT’s goal is to develop innovative products and services that are suitable for the marketplace, while promoting excellence in design for technology industries in Hong Kong. A ceremony was held today to open the 2020 edition of DXT, which has the support of Create Hong Kong (“CreateHK”) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR Government”) as the lead sponsor.

The first project of its kind in Hong Kong, DXT aims to provide a curated platform that connects the best local design and I&T talents to form startup partnerships. Through the exchange of new ideas and expertise in their respective professional areas, designers and technopreneurs can combine creative ideas and technology know-how to co-create innovative products and solutions that help tackle modern-life challenges.

Echoing the Government’s commitment in promoting the creative and I&T industries in Hong Kong, HKDA has partnered with HKSTP to launch the DXT POD. Located at G/F, Lakeside 2, 10W of the Hong Kong Science Park, the DXT POD will serve as the center for DXT to further facilitate a closer linkage between the design and technology communities and for public to glimpse through various products and services that embody the spirit of design and technology.

The launch ceremony of DXT cum DXT POD opening ceremony was jointly officiated by Ms. Jersey YUEN, Assistant Head of CreateHK, Dr. Sunny CHAI, Chairman of HKSTP, Mr. Karr YIP, Chair of HKDA, with the presence of an artificial intelligence (AI) product which mimics the DXT lead, Vice Chair of  HKDA, Ms.Mui KINOSHITA. This “SpeechX Virtual Character” is a speech-driven photo-realistic talking head AI-powered product developed by Science Park partner company SpeechX Limited, designed to perform dialogue behaviour and creates instant interactions by using a less than 5 minutes short video of the target person. This beautifully designed product also represents the idea of Design x Technology.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Karr YIP, Chair of HKDA said “Founder of AirBnB Mr. Brian Chesky once said “Everything we do is design driven, not just the products we make or how we design them.” AirBnB being one of the most innovative companies in the world, has shown the positive impact that design and technology talents have in co-developing products. Design as a profession will continue to evolve into a hybrid industry that is considered as much technical as it is creative. A new wave of designers taught to solve incredibly gnarly 21^st century problems. Designers have a high potential to move into leadership positions and take up the key roles to push the industry to new heights of sophistication.”

Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman, HKSTP, said, “With the launch of DXT, we are delighted to welcome HKDA and the local designer community into our I&T ecosystem. Across all industries, design plays a vital role in the success of every product or service, from conceptualisation to production, right up to consumption. Through a crossplatform like DXT, our technopreneurs will be able to forge partnerships with local design talents to turn their creative ideas into practical, user-friendly solutions with greater commercial appeal not only in Hong Kong, but on the global stage too.”

Ms. Jersey YUEN, Assistant Head of CreateHK, expressed her gratitude towards HKDA and HKSTP for co-organizing DXT and encourages the local design community to step up their collaboration with other sectors in anticipation of Hong Kong’s economic recovery.  

With the theme of “Design x Technology : The New Perspective of Business Ambition”, DXT 2020 presents a series of Live Talks, a matching platform, an accelerator program, exhibition and conference.  

Key highlights of DXT 2020 include : 

1. DXT Live Talks (April – August 2020)
   Distinguished guests from the design and technology industries will share their on-field experience on why and how these two areas of expertise should collaborate. Audiences with different backgrounds can leverage on a networking session after the talks.
   The 4th DXT Live talk is coming up on 14th May, and the public can access the talk through HKDA LinkedIn account: linkedin.com/company/dxt-2020

2. DXT Connect (ongoing)
   A meeting hub for local designers and tech companies to explore collaboration opportunities on businesses.

3. DXT Accelerator Program & Startup Challenge (July – October 2020)
   A 3-month training program will be offered to selected projects Winning teams will be able to bring their business ideas or projects to the US and Shenzhen markets through the DXT platform.
   Applications will be open on 15^th May, with further details announced on HKDA’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HongKongDesignersAssociation/

4. DXT on-to the World 
   Programme to help start-ups discover successful Design x Technology projects and to showcase Hong Kong’s finalists' projects from the DXT Accelerator Program & Startup Challenge in Shenzhen and San Francisco on roadshows and exchange visits.

5. DXT Conference (December 2020)
   The finale event that will bring together renowned professionals from both sectors to spark more novel ideas and co-creation opportunities in the innovation journey.
   For details of the DXT 2020 programmes and to join the DXT Live Talks, please visit linkedin.com/company/dxt-2020