The 2025 Graduation Exhibition of the Department of Design at Taiwan Tech officially opened today (30th). This year’s exhibition features ants and stones as the main visual elements, symbolizing designers' perseverance in refining their ideas and seeking solutions amid challenges. The showcased works span diverse themes, including smart agriculture, cultural heritage, interactive experiences, packaging design, and upcycling. A total of 35 unique projects are on display, highlighting the students’ rich creativity and diverse talents.

The 2025 Taiwan Tech’s Graduation Exhibition of the Department of Design welcomes industry professionals and visitors from both on and off campus to experience the works of emerging designers, where creativity meets sustainability.

Dean of the College of Design, Ming-Huang Lin, stated that this year’s graduation exhibition is the perfect embodiment of “turning ideals into reality and infusing aesthetics into everyday life.” It offers the public a rare glimpse into the creativity and capabilities of young designers. He also emphasized Taiwan Tecg’s strong commitment to internationalization, noting that the university will continue to expand global partnerships, pursue MOUs with leading design institutions worldwide, and promote student exchange programs. These efforts aim to provide students with global exposure, enrich the learning environment with international resources, and propel Taiwan Tech toward becoming one of the world’s top 100 design universities.

Yi Wei-Sheng, President of the Chinese Industrial Designers Association, expressed his deep commitment to bridging generations in the design community. He hopes the association can help young designers broaden their horizons and realize their dreams, while also passing down the valuable experiences and spirit of veteran designers. He looks forward to collaborating with the next generation to elevate the design industry to new heights. Exhibition Director Li-Wen Wang remarked, “The graduation show is not the end, but a path carved through narrow gaps - leading into an unknown yet promising future.”

One standout project, “Tiny Fabric Stories” by Industrial Design students Yu-Hsuan Lo and Chih-Yun Chang, repurposes old plush toys through deconstruction and redesign to create practical children’s items such as disaster-preparedness headgear, medicine pouches, and lunch bags. The project blends environmental consciousness with childlike imagination. Lo believes each toy carries precious memories, and through modular pattern design and re-stitching, these items are reborn with new life and meaning - advocating both sustainability and emotional connection.

Industrial Design students Yu-Hsuan Lo (left) and Chih-Yun Chang (right) present “Tiny Fabric Stories”, a project that transforms recycled plush toys into practical children’s items - such as emergency headgear, medicine pouches, and lunch bags - through deconstruction and redesign. The work highlights the boundless possibilities of combining eco-conscious design with playful creativity.

Another project focused on sustainable agriculture is “Spotch: Smart Rice Pest Monitoring and Trapping Device”, created by designers Chia-Yu Ho and Kai-En Shih. Drawing from personal experiences with rural farming challenges - such as labor shortages, pest infestations, and pesticide overuse - they developed a smart device that integrates IoT and AI technologies to monitor climate, soil conditions, and pest populations in real time. With the Spotch system, farmers can easily access field data through a mobile app. The device also allows for interchangeable trapping mechanisms tailored to different pests, reducing farmers’ workloads while promoting the advancement of organic and smart agriculture.

Chia-Yu Ho (right) and Kai-En Shih (left) designed “Spotch: Smart Rice Pest Monitoring and Trapping Device” using eco-friendly PETG material. Inspired by the form of rice plants, the device features flexible pest trapping, multi-faceted monitoring, reduced pesticide use, user-friendly operation, and a rental-based business model. The project was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2025 Y.S. Award.

Beyond innovative design, students also bravely challenge tradition. In their project “Farewell Flow”, Yu-Hsi Liu and Hung-Ling Chen seek to break away from the conventional structure of traditional Chinese funerals. By integrating vibrant lighting effects with sustainable floral arrangements, they aim to reduce resource waste while preserving the solemnity and warmth of the ceremony. Liu explained that Farewell Flow offers a farewell that truly reflects the personality of the departed - blending individuality with sustainability. “We hope viewers can feel that parting is not merely an end,” she said, “but a continuation of emotion and a gentle transmission of love.”

Yu-Hsi Liu (left) and Hung-Ling Chen (right) aim to break away from the conventional Chinese funeral customs with their project “Farewell Flow”, combining vibrant lighting effects with sustainable floral design to reduce resource waste while maintaining the ceremony's solemnity and warm atmosphere.

Shan Zhou and Yi-Ying Chen drew inspiration from Taiwan’s traditional talisman culture to creatively combine the beloved snack of instant noodles with commercial design, presenting their project “Charm It Up Noodles”. The design team aims to reinterpret talismans - symbols of blessings - by pairing them with instant noodles, a representation of Taiwan’s prayer culture. They launched three themed noodles: Peace, Wealth, and Love, transforming talisman symbols into edible rice cakes and pairing them with uniquely flavored noodles. The concept allows consumers to enjoy a bowl of noodles while also receiving blessings in every bite.

Shan Zhou (left) and Yi-Ying Chen (right) drew on Taiwan’s talisman culture to create “Charm It Up Noodles”, a creative product that blends local sentiment with fresh innovation.

The exhibition features works such as “Charm It Up Noodles, Bay Cake, Fashion Tinplate Design Application Project, and Smart Rice Pest Monitoring and Trapping Device”, which were recently shortlisted for the Golden Pin Design Award and the National Vocational College Student Practical Project Competition, showcasing outstanding talent. In addition to industrial and commercial design, the exhibition also presents diverse works in 2D/3D animation design, game design, packaging design, and more. These projects represent not only the culmination of students' four years of learning but also an important starting point for these emerging designers as they respond to global issues, express themselves, and reflect on the future.

For more details, please visit the 2025 Taiwan Tech’s Graduation Exhibition of the Department of Design Facebook page or Instagram.

Group photo at the opening of the 2025 Taiwan Tech’s Graduation Exhibition of the Department of Design.

Several industry designers visited the Graduation Exhibition of the Department of Design, engaging in discussions with students to foster industry-academia collaboration.

The Taiwan Tech’s Graduation Exhibition of the Department of Design is open on campus from April 30 to May 4, welcoming the public for visits and exchange culture.

 

[Exhibition Information]

Taiwan Tech’s Graduation Exhibition of Department of Design
Exhibition Dates: April 30, 2025 (Wednesday) – May 4, 2025 (Sunday), 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Exhibition Location: Taiwan Tech, IB International Building 1st Floor Corridor, Taiwan Tech Art Gallery, Dayong Workshop, Conference Room (IB-101)

Next-Generation Design Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: May 9, 2025 (Friday) – May 12, 2025 (Monday), 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (extended to 6:00 PM on weekends)
Exhibition Location: Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2, 1st Floor, No. 2 Jingmao 2nd Road, Nangang District, Taipei City