I’m currently sitting at JFK airport in New York waiting to depart for my 10am Hong Kong flight. I’m nervous for the 16 hour flight and I’m going to try my best to stay awake as long as I can with on-demand televsion and starbucks coffee, until I completely pass out.

I’m lucky, and I was smart to combine two of my suitcases into one without going over 50lbs :)  So I’m traveling with four pieces of luggage and I was charged a good $130 USD for the third piece, fourth piece was free, woo hoo!

As soon as I arrive, I’m supposed to travel to the Tai Po to pick up my working visa and my dorm key, then off to my apartment to unpack!

Either I can take the Bus for $13 HK, or a Taxi for $150 HK. But I have all this luggage that I wont be able to carry myself from the bus stop to Vtech (10 min walk). Looks like I’m taking a Taxi. It’s alright though, a sacrifice well worth it.

I have my old international Nokia phone so I’m set, when I’m unpacked I’m going to call Tommi to see what he’s up to so we can start exploring the districts, *sigh* just like old times.

September 29, 2009, 7:25am

I’ve booked my ticket, and to be honest I was so nervous it felt like I was buying a car.

September 30th I will fly into the city of Hong Kong and October 1st happens to be a holiday: National Day for the People’s Republic of China.

“A fireworks display is usually held nationwide in all cities, including Hong Kong, where a firework display to celebrate the National Day of the People’s Republic of China has been held since 1997 at Victoria Harbour in the evening.”

I am all for a fireworks show, what an awesome way to start by having a holiday, an entire weekend to situate and explore, and then finally, come Monday I should be ready to get into work mode :)

And one more thing!  I’ve just found out that Tommy, one of my friends will be flying in on the same exact day as I am. Talk about security, I hope we can do this travel thing together, because as exciting as all of this is, airports stress me ouuuut.

September 17, 2009, 2:37pm

2009 Hong Kong Business of Design Week
In partnership with France - Nov 30th - Dec 5th

“One of the most significant annual events on the international design calendar, BODW is Asia’s leading conference dedicated to design, innovation and brands. This pre-eminent conference and forum brings the best of the global design world to Hong Kong. Organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre since 2002, BODW has aimed to encourage businesses to unleash the power of design by focusing on the vital relationship and complex interplay between design and business.” (BODW)

WHY ATTEND BODW??
“For one week every year, BODW assembles an unrivaled group of the world’s foremost designers and corporate titans. All under one roof, they are the hallmark of an event that caters to inspiration-seekers from all over the globe. BODW is a truly engaging and enlightening experience, with unparalleled business matching opportunities, and the only occasion on which to see inside every aspect of the business of design.” - CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

When we first went to Hong Kong last May, we got the pleasure of visiting the Innocentre in Kowloon, HK. We met with different designers inside the Innocentre such as Fish Design, and the guys at Office of Product Design. Not only did we get to see our first H1N1 nifty forehead temperature device, but I discovered the best bookstore I have ever seen in my entire life!!!! Point To Life, inside of the Innocentre, I added up how much money our class of 12 had spent: $7000.00 HK. Yes, let me tell you it was amazing.

We got a huge presentation about the 2008 Business of Design Week which had been in partnership with the Netherlands. It was one of the great moments that helped me see design in a greater perspective. Seeing international design cultures collaborating like this was amazing to me. Hopefully this year, within the next couple of months I will get the honor of attending BODW 2009 in partnership with France.

September 13, 2009, 10:02pm

I originally came from Chicago not knowing what I wanted to do. Having dropped a prePharmacy program back home, I was in search for a career that would allow me to impact people on a larger scale. When I found Design, ohhhh, there was no turning back. Instead of being just a career, for me, it ended up being a passion of infinite possiblities…

I am a recent graduate of SCAD’s Industrial Design program based in Savannah, Ga, and as a result of my senior studio that was conducted this past May, along with 11 other students and led by Professor Peter Fossick, I have received a 6 month internship with Vtech in Hong Kong, China.

In 1997, Hong Kong was handed back to the Chinese after 156 years of British rule. Although the influence of Britain is still very evident in Hong Kong, the hand over allowed designers to approach their work with influences brought back from Chinese tradition. This is what has made Hong Kong also known as ‘East meets West’, an ever growing global hub for business, design, and innovation.

I really have no idea how amazing this trip is going to be. There’s too much to talk about, and I hope that this blog can inspire you to reach beyond your horizons. As designers, we never stop learning, we never stop wanting to learn, and getting this opportunity to experience an entirely different culture is more than I would ever dream of.

Please, if you ever have any questions or requests of something you would like to see in Hong Kong, drop me a line! I’ll be sure to incorporate it into the blog :)

September 10, 2009, 8:44pm