Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong The Third Edition of "ReMIX" Creative Business Partnership Program Introducing New Brands as Collaboration Brands

Launching 2nd Phase of Designer Recruitment Program, Igniting a Spark of Creativity

HONG KONG, Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3rd edition of the "ReMIX - Yesterday's Future, Invent Tomorrow!" ("ReMIX") Creative Business Partnership Program, which is organized by Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong (IDSHK) and sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Create Hong Kong), aims to facilitate closer connections between local outstanding designers and premium brands, as well as for them to explore collaborative opportunities. Through multiple sales channels and international exchange platforms, ReMIX creates mutual benefits to both participating designers and premium brands by providing designers with more development opportunities while bringing vibrant new looks to premium brands, with a view to showcasing Hong Kong's design characteristics that bridge Eastern and Western cultures. Upon completion of the recruitment and matching process of the 1st phase of the 3rd ReMIX, IDSHK is thrilled to announce more brands are joining the program. They are FOTOMAX, a well-established local brand with over 40 years of history in Hong Kong, as well as Yishili Home Furnishing, the first Mainland brand joining ReMIX. With the addition of new collaboration brands, ReMIX will accept applications for the 2nd phase of the designer recruitment program from now until 17 January 2024.

ReMIX has been dedicated to seeking partnerships with like-minded brands to explore cross-industry collaborations for designers and generate vibrant business opportunities for established brands. After inviting eight local premium brands, namely Leung So Kee, Koon Wah Food, A-Fontane, Laws Knitters, BAST Lighting, LOG-ON, Momax, and INFINITE, to participate in the 1st phase of the designer recruitment program under the current edition, ReMIX has recently welcomed the participation of FOTOMAX, a well-known local brand specializing in photo developing, and Yishili Home Furnishing, a renowned Mainland brand known for its custom-made home furnishings. This leads to the launch of the 2nd phase of the designer recruitment program, aiming to gather more exceptional design individuals/teams/companies to collaborate with the aforementioned brands to create crossover products that will bring pleasant surprises to the market.

The selected design individuals/teams/companies will not only have the opportunity to collaborate with the premium brands and launch crossover products, but also receive design fees, royalty fees and design credit. Furthermore, their crossover products will be actively promoted through exhibitions, as well as various sales channels to enhance market exposure. The selected design individuals/teams/companies may also have the opportunity to be invited to join overseas delegations that explore international markets, and media interviews, in the joint efforts to promote Hong Kong creative services', products', and industrial design's recognition and sustainable development in the market.

Mr. Ball CHEUNG, President of IDSHK and a member of the Assessment Panel, expressed, "The design individuals/teams/companies met with brand representatives over the past two months. In the process, we witnessed creative sparks ignited by countless inspirations colliding. The eight selected design units have received high praise from the Assessment Panel and brand representatives. I sincerely look forward to more emerging design talents joining this year's ReMIX to showcase the charm of Hong Kong design, allowing Hong Kong people to rediscover classic brands from a fresh perspective. Together, we can propel the Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries, which are full of opportunities and immense potential, onto the international stage."

Design individuals/teams/companies interested in participating in the 2nd phase of the designer recruitment program under the 3rd ReMIX can submit their CVs and portfolios via IDSHK's website from now until 17 January 2024 to complete the first step of applications. Eligible applicants will then be notified to proceed to the second step, which involves the selection of up to two collaboration brands they are interested in working with through the online system. They will also be required to present their collaboration proposals and outline the potential business opportunities with the preferred brands. After evaluation by the Assessment Panel, the design units which have been selected will be invited to attend interviews by brand representatives and professional consultants to further showcase their ideas for the final selection. The matching results will be announced by February 2024, and the crossover products are expected to be launched by the end of September 2024. Design individuals/teams/companies that participated in the 1st phase of the designer recruitment program but were not selected do not need to reapply as they will automatically be included in the 2nd phase. They can simply log in to the "ReMIX" online system (https://remix.idshk.org/login), select the collaboration brand(s), fill in the collaboration suggestions/reasons and their views on the brands' future business opportunities to complete the second step of the application.

The 1st phase of the designer recruitment program took place from September to December 2023. After nearly two months of rigorous screening and interviews, eight exceptional design individuals/teams/companies are selected and successfully established creative business partnerships with eight outstanding local brands. The development of their crossover products is progressing vigorously, and the matching results will be announced soon.

To learn more details of the 2nd phase of the designer recruitment program, please visit the website of ReMIX (https://remix.idshk.org/en-us), or contact the ReMIX secretariat at 3586 8831 or email remix@idshk.org for inquiries.

Application Procedures of the 2nd Phase of the Designer Recruitment Program:

Eligibility:

• Individual designer with HKID card, design team of two to three designers (at least half of the team members must be HKID card holder(s)) OR a Hong Kong registered company.
• The applying designer or one of the members of the applying design team/company must be –
  • a member of IDSHK; OR
  • an industrial designer with qualification* and at least three years of working experience; OR
  • an industrial designer without relevant qualification but have more than five years of working experience in product design.

*Qualification means a recognized diploma/ associate degree/ university degree holder or above in product/ industrial design or related disciplines.

Assessment Criteria:

• Design individual's/team's/company's background and experience
• Ability, skills and experience in related fields
• Insights into brand's opportunities including directions of product development

Assessment Panel:

Brand Advisory Panel:

About Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong

Founded in 2002, Industrial Designers Society of Hong Kong (IDSHK) aims to promote the state-of-the-art and professional practice of Hong Kong's industrial design (ID), and to leverage its status. Over the years, IDSHK has been committed to promoting and striving for the rights of industrial designers by enhancing their competitiveness, providing them with industry-related knowledge and promoting exchanges with local, the Mainland and international professional organizations. IDSHK has successfully established collaborations and strategic alliance partnerships with industrial bodies and education institutes and is continuing to support industrial design education.

IDSHK grasps the pulse of the society and technology evolvements with innovative ideas to provide members with updated relevant knowledge and connections to keep pace with the times. Gather all parties' strength and cooperate to create a brilliant future design prospect.

About Create Hong Kong

Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) in June 2009 to spearhead the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. From 1 July 2022 onwards, it is under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia's creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community.

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organizers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.