Latest Updates - SFU and Caritas Showing Care for Janitors through Design Education 2026-07-7

The Irene Lam Department of Design at Saint Francis University (SFU), in partnership with the Caritas Labour Friendly Community Project (CLFC), held the opening seminar and exhibition of "Invisible Labour, Visible Design" at AIRSIDE in Kai Tak. The exhibition showcases a series of garments and art installations focusing on "the dignity of cleaners," designed by first-year students following a semester-long engagement that included field research, in-depth interviews with frontline cleaners, co-creation sessions, and participation in CLFC community activities. The work aims to raise public awareness of the situation of local cleaning workers.

Ms Ally CHUNG Wing Yin, Lecturer at the Irene Lam Department of Design and Project Lead, said: "This project demonstrates how design can go beyond aesthetics to address the social challenges faced by cleaners. We teach our students that design is not limited to commercial applications but can also respond to social issues. Through this project, students developed empathy and learned to use design to tackle complex social problems. This is the core philosophy of SFU Department of Design: 'Responding to social issues through design, integrating theory with practice."

Ms. Fish Tsoi, representative of the Caritas Labour-Friendly Communities Project, added: " We are truly grateful to the SFU students for their deep engagement with the experiences of local cleaners throughout this project. The voices of cleaners have long been overlooked by society. Through this collaboration, the students' design work brings their dignity and needs to the public. "

The project is part of the "Integrated Social Design Practice" course for first-year students at The Irene Lam Department of Design at SFU, spanning one full semester. Participating students come from three disciplines — Fashion Design, Graphic Design, and Interior Architecture — and were divided into six groups. Each group conducted fieldwork in six districts across Hong Kong, including Kennedy Town and Pok Fu Lam, and interviewed approximately 20 frontline cleaning workers. Through these interactions, students explored issues of dignity, recognition, working conditions, and public perception. The final output comprises six groups of garments and art installations, which will be used for public education campaigns to raise societal awareness of the situation of local cleaners.