Design in Taiwan: Sustainable Innovation through Craft and Technology
Program Description
Taiwan has gained prominence in global design innovation, particularly in IT product development, serving as a vital hub for OEM and ODM services to internationally renowned brands. Its commitment to sustainable innovation is driven by organizations such as the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI) and the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI), leveraging design, craft, and technology to enhance living quality.
Taipei, Taiwan's capital, was designated as the World Design Capital in 2016 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), solidifying its global design reputation. Taiwan showcases a trend of merging advanced technology with sustainable materials by young design studios and brands, resulting in modern and eco-friendly designs. This program aims to provide an in-depth understanding of design in Taiwan, focusing on sustainable innovation, globalization in local contexts, design with technology, and design with craft.
Students will engage with experts at TDRI and NTCRI, visit design studios and craft workshops, gaining insights into Taiwan's diverse design landscape. Field trips to places like Yingge, known for pottery, and Nantou, a bamboo craft center, will expose students to creative processes using locally sourced materials and how these products are marketed globally. The program spans three weeks across Taipei, Tainan, and Nantou, offering students firsthand exposure to modern-traditional integration, the role of design in tech and craft industries, and sustainable development efforts by public and private sectors. Students from the UW will collaborate with design students from Shih Chien University (SCU) in Taipei and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan.
Courses organized by NCKU will enable local and UW students to collaborate on lectures, field trips, and design projects. The program's final deliverables will be innovative design concepts addressing sustainable development, inspired by local culture and industries.