Organized by the Department of Design at Taiwan Tech, the D&AD (Design and Art Direction) Traveling Exhibition will celebrate its fourth year in Taiwan in 2024. The event has received positive recognition and feedback over the years. This year, the exhibition is once again planned by Professor Ken-Tsai Lee’s design lab at Taiwan Tech, aiming to promote Taiwanese design culture and international exchange. It provides students and industry professionals with opportunities to stay informed about global design trends and gain exposure in the international design community.

Hosted by the Department of Design at Taiwan Tech, the D&AD Traveling Exhibition in Taiwan, now entering its fourth year, is themed “Are Awards Candy or Poison?”

The Design & Art Direction (D&AD) awards, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in the global creative advertising and design industry, can be traced back to 1962. It was founded by a group of distinguished designers and art directors from the advertising industry, and has since become an annual competition, attracting design teams, illustrators, advertising professionals, and related businesses from around the world.

This year’s D&AD Taiwan exhibition is themed “Are Awards Candy or Poison?” This provocative question may confuse many, as awards are generally seen as a source of encouragement and recognition for professionals. However, the impact of awards is often dual-edged. On one hand, awards inspire creators to pursue excellence, push boundaries, and refine their craft. On the other hand, when too much emphasis is placed on awards, designers may become overly reliant on external validation, losing sight of the core essence of creativity in their pursuit of success.

Professor Ken-Tsai Lee explained that the theme of this year’s D&AD Taiwan exhibition encourages reflection on our perceptions and attitudes toward awards. He hopes the exhibition will spark a discussion about the true meaning of awards and remind everyone that they should not be the sole measure of design; instead, the focus should return to exploring the essence of creativity and design.

Professor Lee further hopes that design students will consider the question, “Are Awards Candy or Poison?” and use it as inspiration to transform their responses into visual designs. These responses will be featured on exhibition posters, which will be displayed across the Taiwan Tech campus. Each poster will include exhibition information and the student’s explanation of their creative process, conveying a profound reflection on the nature of awards.

Exhibition Dates: December 4–20, 2024
Location: Taiwan Tech Dayong Workshop
Organized by: Department of Design, Taiwan Tech
Co-organized by: Center for General Education, Taiwan Tech; Department of Architecture, Taiwan Tech

The interactive format encourages the audience to engage in the creative process firsthand, highlighting the participatory and exploratory nature of design.

The wall is constructed by layering 16x16 cm mini posters, which together form the exhibition’s theme slogan.

This design symbolizes the dual nature of creativity, allowing the audience to explore the diverse possibilities of creativity through both visual and conceptual engagement.

It prompts the audience to engage in deep reflection on the impact of creative design.