Prof KAN Tai-keung, an award-winning designer and inkbrush painter, has been in the design industry for over 40 years. His works have been featured in a number of solo exhibitions held in Hong Kong and abroad, from the USA to Germany, Finland, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Macau. Critically acclaimed, they have also garnered more than 300 awards globally, such as those conferred at the International Art Competition in Los Angeles, Galaxy Awards in New York and the First International Computer Art Biennale in Rzeszów, Poland. In 1979, Prof Kan was the first designer elected as one of Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons and was the first Chinese designer listed in the “Who’s Who in Graphic Design” of Switzerland in 1995.

Dedicated to art and design education and their development, Prof Kan was the Dean of the Cheung Kong School of Art and Design, Shantou University, Guest Professor of Central Institute of Fine Arts in Beijing and Guest Professor of Tsing Hua University of Fine Arts in Beijing. He is also a Fellow Member and Member of the Board of Advisors of Hong Kong Designers Association, Member and President of Chinese Committee of Alliance Graphique Internationale, Advisor of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Honorary Advisor of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, making tremendous contributions to the art development in Hong Kong.

Prof Kan has a longstanding association with the VTC. He taught part-time courses and was an external examiner of graphic design courses, providing valuable advices for the development of VTC’s programmes. He has also conducted talks for the benefit of VTC students and staff, on his design work and career development in this creative field. His more recent contributions include the annual Kan Tai Keung Award and seminars offered to VTC students. He has also held a solo exhibition at the Hong Kong Design Institute.

Prof Kan received the Bronze Bauhinia Star in 1999 and Silver Bauhinia Star in 2010, awarded by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for his distinguished contributions in community.