Teaching Philosophy

My approach to teaching is built on one principle: start with the student. This belief grew from two formative experiences during my PhD. In my doctoral research, I facilitated design co-creation with young people in special schools in Hong Kong. Working with neurodiverse participants through a strength-based lens taught me to look for what each person can do, rather than what they cannot, and to use those strengths as the starting point for creative work. At the same time, contributing to a research project on empathy as a core teaching strategy deepened my conviction that truly understanding each student's perspective is not an add-on to teaching, but its foundation.

I carry both of these influences into all my teaching: whether I'm facilitating weekly discussions with a doctoral research group, mentoring undergraduate teams through a semester-long design project, or helping an applicant shape their portfolio from scratch, I begin by understanding what each person already brings to the table, then build from there. Over the years, these projects have spanned topics including sports, autism, AI, and well-being. Before my PhD, my one-on-one portfolio mentoring helped applicants earn offers from programmes including RCA, ACCD, SAIC, CCA, and Goldsmiths. Across all these contexts, the method is the same: listen closely, build on what's already there, and create a space where students feel safe to take creative risks.

01/2026 - 05/2026

Final presentation & course wrap-up.

Teaching Assistant, SD6101 Practice-based Design Research

Doctor of Design Programme, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • Mentored one of the four student groups to conduct practice-based research focused on AI for design.

  • Facilitated weekly discussions to track progress and provide actionable design feedback.

  • Synthesised the group's milestones and reporting to the lead instructor.

21/02/2025

Guest Advisor, SD 4309 Social Design Capstone Project

BA Programme, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • Advise a community-based design education project in collaboration with a local secondary school in Hong Kong.

  • Participated in an on-site workshop alongside faculty and university students.

  • Provided actionable feedback to guide the social design initiatives.

Tangible outcomes from the community design workshop: handmade artifacts showcasing the students' creativity and unique perspectives.

09/2024 - 12/2024

Teaching Assistant, SD4763 Cooperative Projects

BA Programme, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • Conducted weekly tutorials with two groups of student projects focused on ASD-friendly design;

  • Led and assisted students in conducting interview research in special schools and organisations;

  • Attended classes, including briefing sessions, midterm presentations, and final presentations, and provide project feedback.

Final project showcase with students, instructors, and clients.

01/2024 - 04/2024

Building user empathy through VR experiences.

Teaching Assistant, SD4469 Design Meet Disabilities

BA Programme, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • Attended weekly classes and documented key information.

  • Provided project feedback and suggestions during tutorials and presentations.

09/2023 - 12/2023

Teaching Assistant, SD4763 Cooperative Projects

BA Programme, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • Attended lectures and instructor meetings to assist in overall course facilitation and planning.

  • Led weekly tutorial sessions for three student groups, providing targeted mentorship on projects related to sports and student mental health.

  • Maintained active communication between clients and students, providing timely updates and clarifying project requirements.

  • Coordinated the logistics for student projects, including final presentations, reports, and public exhibitions

Showcase of some outstanding student projects I had the privilege of advising.

11/2019 - 03/2021

Independent Design Mentor

Served as a dedicated mentor for emerging designers applying to top-tier global Master's programs in Art and Design.

  • From Zero to One: Guided students through the entire creative lifecycle, from initial brainstorming and identifying their unique strengths to executing comprehensive design projects.

  • Iterative Process: Facilitated weekly 1-on-1 critiques and progress tracking, mirroring a professional design studio environment.

  • Outcomes: Successfully mentored students to secure admissions into world-leading institutions, including the Royal College of Art (RCA), ArtCenter College of Design (ACCD), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), California College of the Arts (CCA), and Goldsmiths.

A 1-on-1 mentoring session: Brainstorming and mapping out design concepts together.