Over 300 students participate in Disney Imaginations Hong Kong Design Competition

This year, the Disney Imaginations Hong Kong 2022 Design Competition saw over 300 students vie for the top spots. The project received 92 submissions from 13 education institutions in total.

Created in 1991 Imaginations is a design competition created and sponsored by Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) in the United States with the purpose of seeking out and nurturing the next generation of diverse Imagineers. With the continued success of the competition, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was the first international site to bring the competition from the United States to Hong Kong in 2011. Entitled Disney Imaginations Hong Kong Design Competition, participants from selected tertiary institutions use their technical, artistic and creative skills to propose hypothetical concepts for an immersive experience. This is a great opportunity for participants to showcase their talents for integrating innovative and globally diverse ideas with a passion for Disney.

The competition allows a diverse group of students to use their imaginations and showcase their creativity and talents, with the champion team eligible for six to eight weeks of work experience for Walt Disney Imagineering Asia at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

As part of this year’s conceptual project, students demonstrated their creativity by introducing the wonders and beauty of the Earth to off-planet alien tourists, so as to make them feel sincerely and warmly welcomed. Nine submissions joined a workshop and mentoring sessions after being selected for the final stage, proving their originality and innovation. This year has seen more submissions from teams being formed by students from different tertiary institutions.

The winners received their awards from Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who joined as the Guest of Honour.

Yau noted “with our continuous efforts to foster a creative atmosphere in Hong Kong with leading edge in industries like film, television, music, design, architecture, advertising, digital entertainment, printing and publishing, creative industries have become one of the most popular professions among young people.”

He added that Disney Imaginations Hong Kong Design Competition is a solid platform to stimulate our youth’s creative minds and inspire them to think beyond boundaries, with guidance from professional Disney Imagineers.

Michael Moriarty, managing director at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort added “this competition is important for us to give opportunities to upcoming talents and encourage them to explore their creativity.

“Since the competition was launched in 2011 locally, almost 2,500 students have joined the program. Some of our past winners have even gone on to work for Walt Disney Imagineering Asia, so we really do see this as a springboard for the next generation to step into the next chapter of their careers. The projects and ideas on display this year have been inspiring in showcasing not only the students’ creativity, but also their positivity, inclusivity and storytelling capability that matches with the values here at Disney.”