Brief History of CLIC

Founding and Early Days (1972–1973)

CLIC Design Ltd. was established in 1972 in Hong Kong by brothers John and Nicholas Tsui, along with their friends Eliza Cheng and David Tsu. Together, they formed a multidisciplinary creative workshop offering interior design, photography, and graphic design services.

  • John Tsui brought experience from a major teakwood furniture company after graduating from the University of Hong Kong
  • The other founders had recently returned from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where they received formal design training

In its early years, CLIC took on a wide range of projects and built a strong reputation through hard work and innovation.

Expansion and Formation of CLIC Studios Ltd. (1974)

In 1974, CLIC Studios Ltd. was established to focus on the growing demand for photography and graphic design. The studio was strengthened by the addition of Frank Price, an American photojournalist, as a partner.

  • CLIC's work with commercial and corporate clients earned numerous design awards throughout the 1970s and 1980s

First Major Advertising Campaign (1976)

In 1976, CLIC Studios Ltd. formed CLIC Communications Ltd. in partnership with Michael Stevenson Ltd., an established PR firm. Their first major campaign was for Chi Fu Fa Yuen, developed by Hongkong Land Co. Ltd..

  • The success of this high-profile campaign made CLIC a trusted agency among major property developers across Hong Kong

Rebranding as an Advertising Agency (1982)

In 1982, the company rebranded as CLIC Ltd., signalling a planned expansion into media advertising and public relations.

  • The bold expansion plan turned CLIC into a a fully fledged adversting agency complete with creative, public relations and media placement services

A Key Player in the Property Boom (1980s–1990s)

Over the next two decades, CLIC became a vital player in:

  • Advertising and promotional campaigns for major real estate developments
  • Clients included all major property developments: Discovery Bay, Harbour City, Hong Lok Yuen, Fairview Park, Pacific Place, CityPlaza, and many more
  • Graphic design and book publishing services were nurtured on the side

The agency continued to thrive as the city experienced a boom in property development and creative industries.

Digital Transformation and Refocus (2000–2022)

As the digital era emerged, CLIC swiftly adapted by adding web design and maintenance to its service offerings.

However, as the advertising industry slowed, CLIC proactively:

  • Downsized its operations and swung back graphic design and production services
  • Shifted its focus to serving government and NGO clients

This strategic move allowed the company to remain viable in a rapidly changing market.

Closure and Legacy (2022)

The increasingly difficult political and economic climate in Hong Kong made it challenging for many creative businesses to continue. In 2022, after 50 years of contributions to Hong Kong’s creative landscape, CLIC closed its doors.

Despite its closure, CLIC remains a proud part of Hong Kong’s design history, having left a lasting legacy through decades of innovation, artistry, and professionalism.

 

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