“Live with passion, and inspiration will be within!” Students from the Department of Creative Product Design under the College of Communication and Design at ISU have translated their daily observations into design elements. Their works, including the “Enhanced Warning Blind Bend System” designed for road safety, the “Gold Diner Tonight Like Heaven” that embodied the delicacy of metal craftsmanship, and the “Old Summer Palace and Chinese Zodiac Tea Set” that captured the beauty of architecture were selected as finalists in the Youth Innovative Design Festival. The “Enhanced Warning Blind Bend System” also won the Social Design Award in the 2023 Golden Pin Design Award, showcasing these students’ strong creative prowess and their ambition of becoming aspiring designers.
The “Enhanced Warning Blind Bend System” was jointly designed by fresh graduates Pei-Shan Yeh, Yi-Cheng Yang, and Chih-Wei Chang. The team noticed that curved road sections often lead to traffic accidents in their daily commuting experience. Therefore, they designed a lane-sensing device that provides an early warning to oncoming vehicles approaching blind bends, ensuring road safety. Yang explained that the entire process, from conceptualization to field research and design, spanned eight months. Initially, the team had concerns about the commercial viability of their project. However, after thorough discussions, they realized that the potential to reduce traffic accidents through design was significant and not something that could be replaced with monetary gains. While the team is thrilled about their award, their ultimate hope is that their work will catch the attention of relevant authorities and contribute to creating a safer road environment nationwide.
The work titled “Gold Diner Tonight Like Heaven,” designed by Chia-Le Fu, Chia-Hao Hung, and Chieh-Cheng Lin, showcased the artistry of metal craftsmanship. They painstakingly transformed pure silver into exquisite dining utensils using traditional raising techniques. Each cutlery set requires thousands of meticulous hammer strikes, making it a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. The team’s dedication to preserving the essence of metalworking is evident in the intricate details and the unique character of each piece. According to Lin, the project took eight months to complete. The project encompassed a set of dinnerware, including plates, bowls, chopsticks, and spoons, all designed to pay homage to traditional craftsmanship. Although their hands were often sore throughout the laborious process of raising, the gratification of being recognized as a finalist and seeing the fruits of their hard work made every moment worthwhile. The “Old Summer Palace and Chinese Zodiac Tea Set” was designed by Hong Kong students Yung-Hsueh Tseng and Kai-Chiao Li. They incorporated architectural features and decorative elements inspired by the Old Summer Palace’s original appearance into the tea set’s design. Additionally, the set included adorable tea pets in the shape of the twelve zodiac animals, adding a delightful touch. Tseng expressed their intention to create a tea set that not only captivates but also serves as a gateway for young students to explore the richness of tea culture. As a result, they created a collection that resonates with people on a personal level.
The College of Communication and Design at ISU encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary and diverse development while wholeheartedly experiencing life. The College aims to provide students with the necessary skills and experience to thrive in their future careers by actively participating in competitions and accumulating valuable industry insights. With the Department of Creative Product Design, the Department of Mass Communication, the Department of Film and Television, the Department of Digital Media Design, the Bachelor’s Degree Program for Indigenous Peoples of the College of Communication and Design, and the International Program on Communication Production, the College leveraged the resources of the other nine colleges at ISU to offer a comprehensive education in communication and design. ISU is the only comprehensive university in southern Taiwan that nurtures talent in communication and design in all aspects.
