Winners
CreateSmart Young Design Talent Award
Ho Ching Lam, Crystal
Communication Design | Communication Designer and illustrator 

"Design not only addresses functional problems or needs, but it can also evoke lasting emotional connections that never go out of style.

 

In 2012, Crystal graduated with a Higher Diploma in Multimedia Design and Technology from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She continued her education at the same institution, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Design in 2014. After graduating, Crystal embarked on a career in brand design, working with agencies such as Eight Partnership. In 2021, she joined KIN, a sustainability-focused dining concept company, where she currently serves as the Design Director.

 

In her three years at KIN, Crystal has led the rebranding efforts for two major projects: KIN Food Halls and KIN Farms, playing a key role in promoting the concept of a sustainable food system. Compared to her agency work, Crystal finds that being an in-house Design Director offers more creative freedom. This role allows her to collaborate directly with founders, clients, and stakeholders, providing ample opportunity to fully express her design vision. She believes that good design is essential in communicating a company’s mission and driving its success in both retail and wholesale markets.

 

Additionally, Crystal has contributed to two publications by the PolyU Information Design Lab, creating infographics for Neon Fading: A Visual Culture of Hong Kong Streets and I Am a Street Observer: Cultural Landscape of Fa Yuen Street. For Crystal, culture and design are inseparable. She is eager to gain international experience by working with global brand design firms, where she can immerse herself in local cultures and observe how designers integrate local language and culture into their work. By combining her Hong Kong background with international exposure, Crystal aims to refine her design thinking and broaden her creative approach.

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