Saint Francis University - Press Release - 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 communication systems, garments and spatial interventions 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.

At the opening seminar, labour rights advocate Luke Ching Chin Wai and Senior Community Development Worker Benjamin Sin shared their insights on the challenges faced by local cleaners from the perspectives of labour advocacy and frontline community work. They also discussed how public education and cross-sector collaboration can help change society's stereotypes and neglect of grassroots 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. I witnessed them transform from having little knowledge about cleaners to understanding the physical toll and social neglect they endure and then translating that understanding into tangible design solutions. 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,"Design can be a powerful tool to enhance the visibility of local cleaners and an important medium for advocacy. 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. We hope that this exhibition and future community outreach efforts will ensure that cleaners are no longer 'invisible' but truly 'seen' and respected as part of societal conversation."

"Side Side Bok, Not So Noticeable" Team said, "Over the past few months, we have come to understand cleaners more deeply — not just their physical needs at work, but also their psychological ones. Our work, 'Bee Harvest,' draws inspiration from Pok Fu Lam's Harvest Festival. By comparing cleaners to bees, we highlight their hard work and essential role in the community, much like bees in nature. We hope this project will shed light on cleaners' real working conditions and mental health, while educating the public on how to help improve the community environment."

The project is part of the "Integrated Practice of Social Design Project" 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 communication systems, garments and spatial interventions, which will be used for public education campaigns to raise societal awareness of the situation of local cleaners. The student works will be on display at AIRSIDE, Kai Tak, from 5 to 13 July 2026.