CIT sows seeds for design hub in Keelung

2015-02-05

A scholastic cooperation plan aimed at building Keelung city into a design hub for the 21st century was launched Feb. 3 in the northern Taiwan port metropolis.

Initiated by Chungyu Institute of Technology, the undertaking involves CIT sharing its Red Dot Award-winning design experience with Erh Shing Senior High School, Kuang Lung Vocational High School and National Keelung Vocational High School.

CIT President Chen Chi-hsiung said the project will help foster young talents and provide world-standard experience. “Our seasoned faculty members are set to impart their knowledge and help turn these schools into hotbeds of commercially successful design and innovation.

“This commitment pays dividends for the schools, Keelung and Taiwan’s soft power on the international stage. It will also attract more students and boost the city’s national competitiveness.”

CIT’s credentials as rising center of design excellence were confirmed last year with two Red Dot awards, the first time for a vocational school in Taiwan to achieve such honors. A team of seven students bagged a Communication Design Best of the Best for Wine, Beautiful, while another six-member group won accolades in the same category for Secret Honey.

Wine, Beautiful—a meticulously crafted packaging concept for herbal liquor—is aimed squarely at the female consumer. The jury lauded its discreet coloring, simple forms and high-quality image. Almost as impressive was Secret Honey, another packaging concept inspired by the shape and striping of bees. The four colors of the labels and matching boxes indicate the region of Taiwan where the honey originated.

Chen said critical recognition of the concepts reaffirm CIT’s transformation from a trade-orientated school to one offering leading-edge design, film and lifestyle studies. “All design schools in Taiwan should encourage students to throw their hats in the ring when it comes to the Red Dot Awards.”

Germany-based Red Dot Award is one of the world’s top design competitions, attracting thousands of submissions from more than 60 countries and territories each year. Winners feature in the organization’s yearbook, touring exhibitions and museums in Taipei, Essen and Singapore.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=227156&CtNode=413)