For the latest installment of our Library Profile series, we spoke with Man Tsang, Officer in the MRC at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, about bringing the first material library to Hong Kong.
Name: Man Tsang
Title: Officer in the Materials Resource Center
How did the materials library at Hong Kong Polytech come to be?
Materials are the most important element for design. We wanted to provide the space for designers to touch, feel, and explore innovative and trending materials when they start their projects. Therefore, we planned to work with MCX and set up the first material resource center in Hong Kong.
Why do you believe the library is a valuable resource to teach students about materials?
It provides the environment for design students to enhance their interest in materials. They can reserach materials not only on the website, but also with their hands. In addition, the most valuable thing is that they can input keywords in the MCX database and know the properties of material. It is very useful for them.
Describe your job in 3 sentences or less.
Develop students to love materials.
Stimulate student’s curiosity about materials.
Encourage them to study materials.
What is your favorite material and why?
Wood, because it gives a peaceful feeling for me.
What are you most excited about for the coming year in the world of materials and the MCX library at Hong Kong Polytech?
We would like to see more smart materialscome into the MCX library in the coming year.
Thanks for joining us to hear from Hong Kong Polytechnic! Are you interested in bringing Material ConneXion to your school? Email us at for more.