Qi-Lun Xu, a recent graduate from the Department of Design of Taiwan Tech, won multiple awards for his work “Eureka” (https://youtu.be/ulilLE_jGJ0?si=HLO2ZT3LE4vVef05): First place in the 3D Animation category at the “12th HPC National Network Animation Competition” in 2023, the Special Award of International Association of Art & Design Schools at the “2023 Taiwan International Student Creative Design Competition” and a bronze award in the 3D Animation category at the “Vision Get Wild” Award. These awards have earned him a total prize of 150,000 NT dollars, excluding any yet-to-be-announced competition entries.

The poster for "Eureka" has the central concept that there is no need to fear death because everything follows a cycle.

Qi-Lun Xu mentioned that the primary intention of the work is to commemorate his mother, who passed away this year. The central concept revolves around not worrying about death because everything follows a cycle. The content includes themes of time and death. An inconspicuous "sausage" with a knot in the middle is used to describe parallel universes, each twist (knot) distinguishes each universe. At the end, if there are no more sausage knots, everything collapses, forcing the characters in the video to run backward. This concept bears a resemblance to the circular meaning of Bagel in the movie "Everything Everywhere All at Once." It signifies that time and death are not just linear conclusions but an endless cycle of birth and death, death and rebirth.

The scene where the beginning of the sausage is about to meet its end.

Qi-Lun Xu explained that the title "Eureka " refers to the exclamation made by the Greek mathematician Archimedes when he discovered buoyancy in a bathtub—an expression of sudden realization or enlightenment, akin to his own exhilaration upon discovering the truth. It took a long time to refine the script, and viewers might need multiple viewings to understand the layered meanings. Nonetheless, this is a work that he is very satisfied with, having produced everything except the music entirely on his own.

Qi-Lun Xu expressed deep gratitude to Professor Sheng-Wen Hsiao from the Department of Design, who completely understood his leaps of thought and provided specific suggestions and a framework for him to "fill in the blanks". He plans to join further into the animation industry and has already established a studio (www.instagram.com/mickey.hsu0625). He hopes for a larger platform in the future to contribute his skills and honor his deceased loved ones.

The “Eureka” of Qi-Lun Xu (first from the right) received the Bronze Award in the 3D Animation category at the " Vision Get Wild Award."

Additionally, a group of students from Taiwan Tech won the 3D Animation category at the "2023 12^th HPC National Network Animation Competition". Xin-Ning Xiong and Jia-Yun Xiao, who recently graduated from the Department of Design, created the work "DEAR" (https://youtu.be/wArmjmfF8yE). The animation portrays a peculiar story where a young boy lives in a magical house with big ears. The relationship between the boy and the house is not binary; the house serves as his home, a family member, and his only friend, and it is also like a couple. The piece intends to use a fairy-tale approach to depict the delicate balance within modern intimate relationships.

The poster for "DEAR" illustrates the delicate balance within modern intimate relationships using a fairy-tale approach.

In the animation, the relationship between the house and the young boy had always been exclusive, where the house provided everything the boy needed. However, despite this, the boy remained unhappy because what he truly desired was companionship. This status quo was disrupted when a wild fox appeared, altering the balance. As the boy and the fox grew closer, the house became increasingly furious, displaying a series of angry reactions.

In the work, the young boy resides in a magical house with big ears.

Xin-Ning Xiong and Jia-Yun Xiao expressed that once they had the storyline, they immediately devoted themselves to hard work. They spent nearly half a year working tirelessly, sacrificing sleep, and experiencing multiple mental breakdowns. They continuously encouraged each other throughout this process, and finally, with the recognition received for their work, they feel genuinely happy, knowing that their hard work has paid off.

Xin-Ning Xiong (left) and Jia-Yun Xiao (right) from Taiwan Tech received an honorable award for their work "DEAR" in the 3D Animation category at the "12th HPC National Network Animation Competition" in 2023.