Our work is only possible with the great support of our community, trustees, advisors, patrons, funding partners, and the designers, mentees and grantees who work tirelessly to produce new knowledge for the energetic and vibrant city of Hong Kong and our region. We would like to acknowledge the generous individuals, organisations and partners who have contributed to the growth of the Design Trust initiative since its conception.
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR COMMUNITY
Design Trust Futures Studio
Design Trust Futures Studios (DTFS) is a long term flagship programme that makes visible the processes and positive role of design in the culture of contemporary design and production. The programme stems from a project-studio concept that promotes life-long collaborations through a mentor-mentee programme.
DTFS is a cross-disciplinary initiative created and conceptualised by Marisa Yiu, Co-founder and Executive Director of Design Trust in 2017. Experts from different fields contribute to the mentor-mentee teams in the exploration of materials, production, and put forth the positive value of design assets in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and internationally.
Programme partners and supporters
2022 "HERITAGE IS CREATIVE GENERATION" Lead Commissioning Partner Hong Kong Palace Museum Programme Partner Project Twelve
2019 "HERITAGE IS INNOVATION" Programme Partner Tai Ping Partner Foundation Haw Par Music Hotel Partner TUVE Airline Partner HONGKONG AIRLINES Other Supporter Istanbul Design Biennial
2018 "PLAY IS FOR THE PEOPLE" Major Sponsor Create Hong Kong Education & Community Outreach Partner Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation Exhibition Venue Co-Sponsor District 15 Community Event Partner Kerry Hotel Hong Kong International Event Collaborator The Architectural League of New York Hotel Partner TUVE Workshop Venue Partners the Hive Spring, Kafnu, Campfire and Strokes Other Supporters Former Policy Innovation Co-ordination Office (ceased operation from July 1st 2022), Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Architectural Services Department, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
2017 "SMALL IS MEANINGFUL" Major Sponsor Create Hong Kong International Event Collaborator Storefront for Art and Architecture Exhibition Venue Partner District 15, Ya Fu Lane Workshop Venue Partner SPRING Hotel Partner TUVE Exhibition Opening Event Sponsor Black Kite Brewery Hong Kong Other Supporters Former Policy Innovation Co-ordination Office (ceased operation from July 1st 2022), Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Architectural Services Department, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
Design Trust Futures Festival
The inaugural DESIGN TRUST FUTURES FESTIVAL 2025: “The Art of Transformation” from March 29th to June 18th 2025, is a new micro festival conceptualised by Marisa Yiu (Co-Founder, Lead Curator/ Executive Director) where Design Trust researchers, scholars, global partners to innovative designers, participate in and share further their ongoing work, where small scale site specific commissioned works around themes of “Exceptional Transformations” of the historic site Murray House at Stanley Plaza, a 3-storey Victorian style building with architectural significance and its extraordinary heritage and natural context enlivens conversations on the public realm. Curated by Marisa Yiu (Co-Founder, Lead Curator/ Executive Director) with Zheng Zhou (Head of Programmes/ Associate Curator), this new initiative is conceptualized to shape, test ideas and speculate on the future of spaces, urbanism and the role of creativity, as we respond to global conversations around sustainability, placemaking, role of tourism to culture and heritage of Hong Kong within the Greater Bay Area, and international context, in positive and impactful ways.
Programme partners and supporters
2025 "THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION" Lead Venue Sponsor and Programme & Exhibition Co-sponsor Link Asset Management Limited Cultural Partner of Art Basel Hong Kong 2025