"I never concern myself with matters of style; everyone has their own. Style and form are naturally shaped by the project's content and nature. The true essence of design lies in its concept and content. A simple, powerful idea is enough to capture attention."

In 2017, Kwok Ka Lok graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University and went on to work at renowned design firm pill & pillow. In 2019, he co-founded Studio MARY with three university classmates, taking on the role of Creative Director. The studio specialises in art and culture-focused projects, including exhibition design, installations and community-oriented displays. Through these experiences, Kwok recognised that better coordination can enhance communication efficiency and reduce costs, which led the studio to prioritise offering comprehensive services from conceptualisation through to design and production.

Each of the four studio partners brings their own expertise, with Kwok focusing on graphic design, print and web design. Drawing as the Core was the studio’s debut project, showcasing works by university lecturers, each interpreting ‘drawing’ through their chosen media and methods. From the research phase, Kwok maintained close communication with curator Dr. Yu Wai Luen, Francis to ensure the visual identity, book design, exhibition layout and website design embodied the spirit of the exhibition.

In 2022, Kwok collaborated with designer Chivas Leung on the picture book NIGHT NIGHT, which was shortlisted for the 2023 D&AD Awards and won at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy. Taking the book to the exhibition was one of Kwok’s rare opportunities for international exchange. He hopes the YDTA program will give him the chance to experience firsthand how foreign designers balance life and work, while learning forward-thinking management practices from overseas design studios.