VTC students sweep top prizes in Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition
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Under the theme of “Follow Your Heart”, this year’s competition encouraged designers to create exquisite jewellery from the passion and fire within their hearts. KWONG Wai-shan, a part-time student of the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Jewellery and Metalwork programme offered by UK Sheffield Hallam University in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), a member institution of VTC, was the group’s champion. Now working professionally as a jewellery designer, Wai-shan named her unique and exquisitely-designed winning entry “Heart Sapling”. A sparkling silver ring radiating boundless vitality, it features a sapling under a glass bell jar, with cubic zirconia used to accentuate the sapling. Wai-shan explained that the sapling represented the innocent heart of a child. She believed that when facing the many challenges of growing up, we must keep a pure heart and turn all experiences into positive energy that enriches our lives. While designing the ring, she could not help recalling her determination to be a jewellery designer during her secondary school years and the enjoyment she experienced at that time when designing accessories with friends. She pursued her dream by enrolling in the Higher Diploma course in Jewellery Design and Technology at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), a member institution of VTC, then progressed to the degree programme of SHAPE. She said designers should remain steadfast to their initial resolve and strive to turn the challenges they met into creating works with depth.
KWAN Cheuk-ying, a Professional Diploma student in Jewellery Design at HKDI, won the second runner-up award with her “Mountain Spring” design, a stylish and elegant bracelet inspired by irregular waves of movement. The moonstones and spinels at the “spout” are blue in colour, representing a stream of spring water that shows nature’s beauty. Cheuk-ying believes that no matter how narrow the spout is, spring water keeps passing through it; no matter how long the path is, spring water remains fresh and clean. She said we should all follow our hearts and our dreams, however long the journey.
Merit award winners were FONG Kam-yik from Lee Wai Lee Campus of Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), and WONG Ka-yan and WONG Wing-yiu from the HKDI Higher Diploma programme in Jewellery and Image Product Design. Kam-yik’s “Fire Dance” is an all-in-one set combining earrings and necklaces, with versatile and at the same time elegant styling. She likened her showpiece to a glowing flame reflecting the burning desires within one’s heart, saying that one should be enterprising and passionate in order to build life force and influence people around us like fire. Ka-yan has named her winning necklace “Grasp”, while Wing-yiu calls her ring design “Nature”.
The annual Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition, divided into Open and Student categories, is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the industry. Its aim is to enhance the design quality of the local jewellery industry and promote Hong Kong jewellery products among international buyers. A total of 260 entries were received this year. The panel of eight judges from various sectors evaluated the entries based on creativity and innovation, aesthetics, craftsmanship, wearability and relevance to the theme. The Student category, open to students of all institutions registered in Hong Kong, is aimed at encouraging more young people and aspiring jewellery designers to join the industry.
The School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) is a member of the VTC Group. SHAPE was established in September 2003 to provide further study opportunities to Higher Diploma graduates and other sub-degree holders. Full-time and part-time top-up degree programmes are offered locally in collaboration with internationally-renowned local and overseas universities, and students can normally complete their programmes within one to two years. SHAPE has now established collaboration with 12 local and overseas universities offering more than 50 top-up degree programmes. Website: http://www.shape.edu.hk
The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) is also a member of the VTC Group. The nine IVE campuses are located citywide. Together they provide vocational education for secondary graduates as well as people in employment. IVE courses leading to the award of Higher Diploma and Diploma of Foundation Studies cover various academic disciplines including Applied Science; Business Administration; Childcare, Elderly and Community Services; Design; Information Technology; Engineering; and Hotel, Service and Tourism Studies. Website: www.ive.edu.hk
The Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) is another member of the VTC Group. HKDI was established in 2007 with the mission to be a leading provider of design education and lifelong learning. It brings together the strengths of design departments of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) to encourage synergy and interdisciplinary thinking in its broad range of design programmes. HKDI maintains a strong network with industry and provides its students with essential practical experience enriched with cultural sensitivities and sustainability. The campus in Tiu Keng Leng provides a creative, inspiring and vibrant learning environment for students. Website: www.hkdi.edu.hk
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