Recently, the results of several international art and design competitions have been announced. An original work by our student Zhong Ruijie, Integrated Desktop Ornament of Aromatherapy Wind Chime, has achieved outstanding results. It won the Bronze Award at the 8th Hong Kong Contemporary Design Awards and the Bronze Award of the 2026 UK International Art & Design Competition. The work was also shortlisted for the final of the 2026 Asian Emerging Artists and Designers Awards, successfully showcasing the innovative vitality of our students on the international stage.

Focusing on the high-stress and anxious lifestyles of modern people, this design addresses the limitation of mainstream desktop ornaments that prioritize appearance over user experience. By combining an aroma diffuser with a wind chime, it delivers a dual sensory experience of smell and sound to ease emotions and soothe the mind and body. This small desktop artifact integrates aesthetic appeal, practical functions and humanistic warmth. The creation underwent repeated refinement. The creator continuously optimized its form, structure and materials, iterating multiple design solutions to balance user experience and visual effects. The completion and award-winning success of this work would not have been possible without the thoughtful guidance and professional advice from Assistant Professor He Honghong.

Through participating in these international competitions, the participating student has broadened his professional horizons, identified areas for improvement, and gained a deep understanding that design should be rooted in daily life and serve humanity. Moving forward, he will keep delving into original design, honing professional skills, and creating more heartfelt works.

These remarkable achievements demonstrate the solid professional competence and innovative practical capabilities of students at our institute. Our faculty will continue to promote learning and empowerment through competitions, encouraging students to embrace innovation and bold practice, so as to steadily enhance their professional competitiveness.

 Winner Remarks 

Zhong Ruijie

(Bachelor of Design Arts, Industrial Design Class C, 2024 intake)

It is my great honour that my work Integrated Desktop Ornament of Aroma Diffuser and Wind Chime has won the Bronze Prize at the 8th Hong Kong Contemporary Design Awards and the 2026 British International Art and Design Competition. Taking part in this competition allowed me to translate design concepts into a tangible piece. By combining an aroma diffuser with a wind chime, this desktop product balances atmospheric appeal and practicality. I refined every detail repeatedly throughout the creation process.

I would like to thank my supervisor for the guidance all the way, and my university for providing this platform, which enabled me to join international competitions and broaden my horizons. This honour recognises my practical work at this stage, yet there remains room for improvement in the work. Moving forward, I will keep observing daily life, dive deeper into product design, and continuously learn and grow.