「志在創業– 設計與創意工業」2009課程 - Hong Kong Design Centre

The Essentials of Design
Business in China
進 軍 國 內 設 計 市 場 的 守 則
In recent years, Hong Kong designers have been heading
north to expand their businesses. Yet Chen Hou Fu,
an international hotel design award winner from the
Mainland, did just the opposite. Despite increasing costs,
he set up a branch office in Hong Kong, recruiting local
talents for their creativity and professionalism.
Compared to Hong Kong and elsewhere, interior
design in the Mainland had a late start. Designers in the
Mainland were not considered as original and creative
as their Hong Kong counterparts. In May 2009, Chen
was granted resident status through the Quality Migrant
Admission Scheme. To enhance the strength of his
company, he has decided to hire local design talents for
his Hong Kong branch, from which he intends to build
the “Creative and Design Centre” of his company. “Unlike
many of their Mainland counterparts who are green
and inexperienced, Hong Kong designers are usually
professional and highly dependable in serving their
clients. I am confident that they will give their best in
handling projects,” said Chen.
However, for those Hong Kong designers who want
to enter the PRC market, there is still plenty of room
for improvement. Chen has worked with Hong Kong
designers on PRC projects. He found that they lacked a
good understanding of the local culture and were far
behind the Taiwanese designers in that respect. “Taiwanese
designers are very active in the PRC market. Their
approaches to the projects and their works have shown
an in-depth understanding of the Mainland culture,”
Chen said. In spite of this, Chen contends that Hong Kong
designers are particularly strong and have much more
potential with commercial projects. Still, they should
make a greater effort to understand the Mainland culture,
environment,
and changes
that are currently
taking place by talking
to more Mainlanders and
understanding their lifestyles.
“Learn the bright side of the culture, not the dark
side,” said Chen. Many Hong Kong designers have
mistaken that they have to abide by the “hidden
rules” while working in Mainland. Chen disagrees.
“Hong Kong designers need to be more selective
with their clients. They should learn to take on
less projects and refuse to pay kickbacks to the
clients. Don’t fall into the filthy trap. This will only
corrupt their soul as a designer,” he said.
Chen Hou Fu resists conforming to the “hidden
rules.” His sales department will first screen the
clients to understand their needs and ensure
that they will abide by the laws before taking
on the job. “Over time, Mainland clients will
become more disciplined and will not initiate
hidden deals. After all, it is ability that they
value,” he said. Hong Kong designers should
build up credibility in the PRC market by flexing
their abilities, not by blindly following the
backdoor practices, which will only hurt their
professional image.
“Hong Kong designers have an edge over Mainland designers.
They are professional, thoughtful, and creative.”
「 慎 防 潛 規 則 , 辦 事 要 專 業 」
Chen Hou Fu, Founder of Holf Design & Consultant Co
厚 夫 設 計 顧 問 公 司 創 辦 人 — 陳 厚 夫
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