PolyU: Admissions 2025/26 — Promotional Film and Motion Graphics
Use this as a referenceProject Background: A Visual Language for Gen Z
University recruitment films need to establish their message quickly. For the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s 2025/26 admissions campaign, Darkroom Studio used an energetic visual style instead of a lengthy introduction, presenting the university’s international profile and active campus life.
Visual Approach: Information in Motion
Our post-production team used kinetic typography as a central visual element, turning a large amount of information into concise, dynamic sequences:
Presenting Achievements: Bold typography and animated transitions presented figures used in the campaign, including a QS world ranking of 57th and subject rankings, giving these details a prominent place in the visual narrative.
High-Energy Pacing: Strong musical beats drove fast editing across campus life, from laboratory research and Work-Integrated Education (WIE) placements to student halls. The sequence brought different aspects of university life together in an energetic introduction.
Colour and Identity: The film retained PolyU’s recognisable brick-red colour and added saturated geometric graphics to present themes such as “Holistic Curriculum” and “Multicultural Community” in a contemporary style.
In Use: An Introduction for Prospective Students
The film brought together the campaign’s main messages—including its stated guaranteed internships and research facilities—within a 1.5-minute format suitable for social platforms and admissions exhibitions.
About the PolyU 2025/26 Admissions Film
Year: 2024
Production breakdown
Objective
Turn admissions messaging into a motion graphics film with rhythm, clarity and stronger completion potential.
Challenge
Education content carries many messages and can become presentation-like. The film needed hierarchy, energy and an international tone.
Approach
- Structured the admissions message into a hierarchy suitable for animation.
- Used motion graphics, typography rhythm and transitions to drive viewing instead of simply placing text on screen.
- Balanced bilingual information, pacing and visual density for admissions and online promotion.
Deliverables
- Admissions campaign film
- Motion graphics
- Education marketing video
- Website and social versions
Reference value
Relevant for universities, education institutions, recruitment, opening videos and information-led brand films.
Q&A
What were the theme and purpose of PolyU’s 2025/26 admissions film?+
The film introduced the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s 2025/26 recruitment campaign. Around the theme “Opening Minds, Shaping the Future”, it presented research facilities, a varied learning environment and active campus life to prospective local and international students, giving them a view of the university’s approach to innovation and learning.
How did Darkroom Studio approach filming an engaging campus video?+
For a Gen Z audience, we used brisk, cinematic editing and dynamic camerawork rather than a lecture-style introduction. Interactions in laboratories, lecture theatres and shared spaces, accompanied by an energetic soundtrack, gave the film a lively picture of campus life.
Why might a university commission an admissions film?+
Video can turn course information into a more concrete picture of university life. A carefully made admissions film introduces the learning environment and student experience in a format that can be shared through social platforms and recruitment events, helping prospective students explore what the institution offers.
Is motion graphics useful for education video?+
Yes, especially when the content has information, numbers, process or multiple selling points that need visual structure.
Should an admissions film be live action or animated?+
It depends on the material and message. For information hierarchy and pace, animation can be more direct.
- Client
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Project
- Admissions 2025/26 Promo Video
- Services
- Video production, motion graphics and education marketing
- Date
- 2024-10-05
