Annual Exhibition for Students of SPOSAD 2023
To establish an international training and exchange mechanism in art-related fields, and to foster talents in arts and design with international insights, Ministry of Education has carried out Scholarship Program for Overseas Study in Arts and Design (SPOSAD) since 2005. Those who are selected will be studying abroad for a year under MOE's sponsorship on tuition fees and living expenses. As of this year, 413 students benefited from the program. In 2023, 22 students went abroad to study and intern at 19 institutes or companies situated in 7 countries across the globe which are the US, Canada, the UK, France, Netherlands, Denmark, and Japan. The students will demonstrate what they have learnt on a 5-day exhibition from October 23 to 27 at M4B Building of Taipei Huashan 1914 - Creative Park.
The theme of this exhibition, "Wave Maker," highlights how students, after being immersed in international perspectives, use their works to convey reflections and concerns about human relationships, society, and the environment. These creations guide viewers toward deeper issues, resonating with the global design ethos of recent years—"Design can help" and "Design is helping." Moreover, it underscores the Ministry of Education's commitment to nurturing Taiwanese design talent, aiming to cultivate responsible and professional designers who bring transformative energy to the industry and the nation. The students, from Fashion Design, Digital Animation, Visual Communication Design, Product Design, and Architecture and Landscape Design, shared their learning journey and the inspiration for creation on October 23 the opening day. Theme talks will be arranged during the exhibition period. An online gallery (https://www.animlab.yuntech.edu.tw/talentpool/gallery/) is also set up for people who are not able to visit the exhibition. The audience could also watch the press conference and the theme talks online in time.
Combining Textiles and Technology to Break Through Sustainable Fashion Boundaries
Fashion Design – Claire Lee, a student from Fu Jen Catholic University, is a forward-thinking designer. During her time studying at Royal College of Art, the world's leading institution for art and design, she combined her background in textile design with experiments in innovative technologies, continuously challenging herself to use tech-driven approaches to advance sustainable fashion. Claire excels at incorporating geometric shapes into her designs, expressing her creativity through various media and platforms, producing distinctive works. Her unique design style led her to become a finalist in the "Perfect Ten" eyewear design competition, where her designs were showcased at the largest eyewear exhibition in the UK. Additionally, she interned with the Petit Pli brand, gaining hands-on experience interacting with clients and deeply understanding their needs, which helped guide the development of new products. Looking ahead, Claire hopes to continue demonstrating her commitment to advancing sustainable fashion while exploring the possibilities that lie between design and cutting-edge technology.
An Innovative Journey of Animation and Interactive Experiences from Taiwan to France and Japan's teamLab
Digital Animation – Chun-I Cheng from Shih Chien University pursued her studies at RUBIKA Valenciennes, France, where she demonstrated a strong passion for animation production. During her time there, she played a key role in character animation for the team’s graduation project, Au Calme des Cigales. Her talent in drawing earned the trust of the team’s art director, who entrusted her with all the 2D drawing tasks, resulting in the project’s visual design receiving unanimous praise from both teachers and judges. Her enthusiasm for artistic freedom and creativity led to an internship opportunity at Japan's renowned digital art company, teamLab, where she explored the integration of animation and immersive interactive experiences. Her outstanding performance during the internship secured her a further interview for a permanent position, offering her the chance to expand her potential and future opportunities in creative and imaginative fields.
A Rising Star in Motion Design, Contributing Creative Power to the Apple Project
Visual Communication Design – Winnie Kuo from Fu Jen Catholic University delved into various aspects of graphic design during her studies at ArtCenter College of Design in the U.S., with a particular focus on motion design and multimedia interaction. She mastered the art of seamlessly integrating graphic design with motion design techniques, allowing her to explore more innovative design possibilities. These skills opened up new horizons in her design practice, helping her bring more creativity and ideas to life. During her internship, she had the opportunity to join the motion graphics company Imaginary Forces, where she contributed to design projects for tech giant Apple. In this fast-paced, high-pressure work environment, she not only assisted in completing key projects but also gained valuable hands-on experience, honing her ability to tackle challenges in real-world situations. This internship gave her deeper insights into industry demands and enhanced her expertise in the field of motion design.
Bridging Disciplines of Materials and Processes from the Netherlands to the World
Product Design - Jing-Ya Huang from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University explored the possibilities of emerging materials and digital fabrication processes during her studies at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. Her work aimed to simplify and personalize digital fabrication, making it more flexible and approachable while incorporating the core spirit and techniques of craftsmanship. In doing so, she sought to bridge the gap between traditional and digital manufacturing, fostering a continuously growing maker community. Through her unique observational perspective, she combined the untamed energy of the natural world with the rational order of design, creating new forms that reconnect familiar objects with daily life. During her training, Jing-Ya participated in the Dutch Soft Robotics Symposium (DSRS), where she showcased her research, and she was also selected to exhibit at Dutch Design Week 2024.
Resonance of Geometry and Design: Looking Towards the Future of Architecture from London
Architecture and Landscape Design - Ping-Chun Shih from Tunghai University participated in the Bio-Integrated Design program at University College London, where he developed skills in utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) tools like Houdini and Grasshopper for design and communication. The course emphasized the application of geometric logic, allowing him to address design challenges with flexibility. In addition to CAD skills, Ping-Chun learned how to present his design concepts through videos and enhanced the visual quality of his work using Redshift and Unreal Engine for rendering. During group projects, collaborating with peers from diverse professional backgrounds taught him how to effectively integrate different perspectives and strengthen his communication skills—valuable experiences that will benefit his future design career.
More works and learning experiences from returning students of the year 2023 will be displayed and shared at the exhibition on October 23-27. The public is welcome to come and to learn about the stories of students. At the same time, Ministry of Education also collected the learning results of 22 students and published a special issue for the public to read, promoting it to those who love design.