How we workAIA Qi design systemBlog
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌

Copyright © 2026, AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

TermsPrivacyCookiesContact us
Red Dot Design Award Winner 2025
iF Design Award Winner 2026
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌
Blog

AIA Design mentors next wave of digital health innovators

0 min read
20 Jun 2025

AIA Design's partnership with PolyU students sparked eight transformative digital health projects. Three exceptional solutions stood out, bringing fresh thinking to healthcare and elderly wellness in Hong Kong.

Smokend app and smartwatch interface displaying quitting progress and stress levels.Smokend app and smartwatch interface displaying quitting progress and stress levels.
In an exciting collaboration that bridges industry expertise with emerging talent, AIA Group's Design team recently partnered with Hong Kong Polytechnic University's BA (Hons) in Interactive Media programme to mentor and evaluate student capstone projects. This partnership exemplifies AIA's design culture of nurturing innovation while tackling some of the healthcare challenges that matter to our customers.The Interactive Media programme at PolyU focuses on developing designers who can create meaningful interactive experiences, preparing graduates for careers across digital entertainment, human-computer interaction (HCI), augmented reality, and electronic commerce. This alignment with real-world industry needs, particularly in digital health solutions, made the collaboration with AIA's design team especially valuable.
AIA Group Design Director Mat Ashley speaks to PolyU students.AIA Group Design Director Mat Ashley speaks to PolyU students.

Eight innovative solutions

⁠In February 2025, eight student teams presented their innovative solutions in a showcase to AIA Group's Design Director Mat Ashley and design research lead Alfreda Yu, addressing societal challenges across the themes of culture, special needs, and sustainability, with a particular focus on healthcare and wellbeing:
  • Eczega — an application focused on eczema care
  • Habitidy — a decluttering application
  • iMind — a cat adoption platform
  • Lumo — a social app for older adults
  • MotoRehab — an application promoting elderly motor skills
  • Smokend — an app to help users quit smoking
  • VitaLife — a solution for retirees
  • WellPath — a navigation tool for wheelchair users on public transport
⁠Each team had 10 minutes to present their concepts. Following detailed feedback and evaluation, six promising projects were selected to progress to the next phase.
PolyU students (from left) Chu Lai-Yan, Chiu Hoi-Yan, and Fong Chung-Tai present their projects.PolyU students (from left) Chu Lai-Yan, Chiu Hoi-Yan, and Fong Chung-Tai present their projects.
AIA Group design research lead Alfreda Yu listens during PolyU student presentations.⁠AIA Group design research lead Alfreda Yu listens during PolyU student presentations.⁠
Smokend creators (from left) Si Cheuk-Hin and Fong Ka-Lok explain their concept.Smokend creators (from left) Si Cheuk-Hin and Fong Ka-Lok explain their concept.

Student showcase

⁠The journey between initial presentations and final assessment provided a unique opportunity for deeper collaboration. The shortlisted teams spent an afternoon at AIA's offices, where they participated in intensive brainstorming sessions with the broader AIA design team. This workshop allowed students to gain invaluable industry insights and explore ways to elevate their projects to the next level.⁠The final presentations in May 2025 gave each team 15 minutes to showcase their refined solutions. Projects were evaluated based on three core criteria:
  1. Clarity of vision statement, design criteria, and solution
  2. Quality of prototyping and testing
  3. Desirability of concept
⁠"What impressed me most was how these students embraced design thinking principles," says Ashley. "They didn't just create apps — they developed human-centred solutions backed by thorough research and iterative testing. This approach aligns perfectly with how we tackle challenges at AIA Design."
Smokend creators (from left) Fong Ka-Lok and Si Cheuk-Hin during their final presentation.Smokend creators (from left) Fong Ka-Lok and Si Cheuk-Hin during their final presentation.
Smokend app screens showing a deposit plan selection menu with different pledge amounts, a "Pass" screen with reward calculation, and a "Relapse" screen with penalty calculation.Smokend app screens showing (from left) a deposit plan selection menu with different pledge amounts, a "Pass" screen with reward calculation, and a "Relapse" screen with penalty calculation.

The winning projects

⁠The competition for top honours was fierce, but three projects stood out:⁠First place — 'Smokend' by Fong Ka-Lok and Si Cheuk-Hin
This smoking cessation solution distinguished itself through its methodical approach and strong user engagement strategy. The team's thorough research directly informed their final solution, complemented by robust prototyping and confident handling of judges' questions. Their vision focused on building psychological resilience and creating a supportive environment for durable smoking cessation.
Second place — 'MotoRehab' by Fong Chung-Tai and Hui Wing-Laam
This elderly motor skills rehabilitation platform impressed judges with its extensive consultation with both game design and medical professionals. The team presented compelling quantitative and qualitative test results, alongside well-documented user testing videos demonstrating their prototype in action. Their solution effectively combined daily physical activity with gamification for motor skills training.
Third place — 'VitaLife' by Chung Wing-Mui and Tang Tsz-Yui
This retirement-focused solution stood out for its creative problem statement and thorough testing methodology. The team demonstrated clear evolution through multiple iteration rounds, creating a platform that helps retirees stay active and social while finding purpose in their next life chapter.


The success of this partnership underscores the value of industry-academia collaboration in nurturing the next generation of digital innovators. As these students move forward into their careers in interactive media and user experience design, they carry with them not just theoretical knowledge, but practical experience in creating solutions that make a real difference in people's lives.
Smokend brand display with app interface showing rewards screen and smartwatch screen, with tagline "Fund your future health by quitting today".Smokend brand display with app interface showing rewards screen and smartwatch interface.
[The students] didn't just create apps — they developed human-centred solutions backed by thorough research and iterative testing. This approach aligns perfectly with how we tackle challenges at AIA Design.
Mat AshleyDesign DirectorAIA Group

More articles
Insurance agent and customer discuss while referring to a tablet device.
How AIA New Zealand adapted the Vitality Simulator to increase customer engagement
AIA New Zealand's implementation of the Vitality Simulator shows how existing design solutions can be efficiently adapted for local markets.
Hesta insurance dashboard displayed responsively across mobile, tablet and laptop screens.
Design tokens and the Qi Design System: Enhancing AIA Australia's partner experience
How AIA Australia streamlined fund partnership tenders through the Qi Design System's innovative token-based architecture.