Is it just another form of toy? Or rather, a movement of contemporary design, expressing a sense of playfulness and a touch of urbanism?

In recent years, a group of designers, toy shop owners and collectors with diverse concerns, interests and motivations, have come to shape and re-shape the toy scene in Hong Kong. They share two commonalities: they want to design their own toys and they are very rigorous about the concept and well as the details of a toy.

For some, a toy is the form, a way of expressing more abstract ideas. For others, a toy is about revealing their own personalities. Some approached this project simply for the sake of self-expression. Others were quick to see the business potential of these design-driven toys. Either way, the outcome is a wave of creative works with a good sense of humour, a touch of urban sensitivity and a synergy of crossover.

Hong Kong has long been famous for toy manufacturing. While Hong Kong manufacturers have been successful in producing all kinds of toys for the world market, their strength lies primarily in manufacturing. The works featured in this book are truly genuine Hong Kong toys — figurines designed by local designers and produced under their supervision.

This book is divided into two main parts which appear to the left and right hand side of the book respectively. Part I (on the left) includes essays on the diverse driving forces, from artistic concerns to self expression, behind this design toy movement in contemporary Hong Kong, and on this movement's connection with broader Hong Kong culture. It also examines this movement from the perspective of the creative industry and offers an analysis of the interface between creative design on the one hand and business concerns / postmodern consumption on the other, and how these creative works become products of the creative industry. Part II (the right side) gives an overview of selected works and designs by various designers interviewed by the authors. It introduces the readers to some impressive works by ten Hong Kong designers.