Smart Service Design, MDes, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design)

As an ISD student, my journey has been filled with passion and exploration. I have always been curious about how to organically combine design and STEM. After experiencing ISD, I firmly believe it holds the key to this question, leading to a transformative shift in my perspective.

ISD opens up boundless possibilities in systemic design innovations. I not only acquired cutting-edge theory of intelligent technologies but also had opportunities to get hands-on with robotic arms, turning my ideas into tangible creations. The most significant transformation came when facing "wicked" real-world challenges. Through ISD's teachings, I honed my ability to approach these challenges from a systemic innovation perspective. This newfound confidence enables me to analyse problems holistically and identify fundamental solutions.

Additionally, ISD provided invaluable opportunities for collaboration with industry partners, from automotive companies to financial institutions. Working with them gave me practical skills and deepened my understanding of the transformative potential of intelligent systems in various sectors.

In conclusion, my ISD experience has been enriching. I wholeheartedly recommend ISD to aspiring students seeking to explore the unknown and change the future world. Its interdisciplinary approach, perspective transformation, and industry collaborations make it a cherished, authentic journey of professional growth.

The IBD programme incubates students' interdisciplinary understanding of principles in design, business and technology. Students will develop their ability to explore opportunities in businesses and industries with an emphasis on using design as a tool to facilitate whatever challenges that may arise. The focus of the curriculum leans to promote holistic comprehension of the project development process instead of having students merely work on a design, denoting that we care very much about the why behind a design, what opportunities it will bring, and how it addresses issues/ problems.

Our fellow students are excellent professionals from different design and educational backgrounds prior to the entrance to IBD. Working closely with one another certainly strengthens our field of expertise and expands our knowledge and vision through cross-disciplinary team collaboration.

Industry-sponsored project opportunities as a privilege are guaranteed and allow students to foster their professionalism from a practical perspective rather than as a student.

Lastly, I strongly recommend you join this programme if you want to progress into different or more advanced roles in your career or intend to create your own business.

The Smart Service Design (SSD) program has been an inspiring and growth-filled learning journey for me. The interdisciplinary curriculum and diverse teaching modes enabled me to fully explore the influence and creativity of service design in different industries. The diverse background of my classmates and the collaborative learning atmosphere inspire me to push boundaries, try other professional fields, and acquire new knowledge.

Through a learning model that combines theoretical knowledge with real practical projects, I have the opportunity to participate in the design and creation of various service products and content, and continuously exercise capabilities such as systems thinking, user research, and service innovation. This learning experience not only broadened my horizons and career development direction but also enabled me to learn practical design tools and ways of thinking, allowing me to apply service design at different levels.

Therefore, I sincerely recommend SSD program - here, you will continue to break through yourself, gain a more professional service design vision and practical experience, and start your own service design journey!