It has been 12 years since the first Taiwan Good Crafts were certified in 2003, and those certified with C-mark have been recognized as benchmark craft products. In particular, starting from this year, laser marks were authorized to be used to punctuate Taiwan’s craft DNA. This year, the 12th event still receives great support from its C-Mark participants, with 243 craft works from 83 companies and ten scholars and experts being invited to act as judges. Scores were given in terms of function, visual aesthetics, design, marketability, and so on. The procedure for judgment includes an initial evaluation of document submission, a secondary evaluation of completeness, and an on-site evaluation to confirm quality of the product production site. Then, 32 inspiring works were selected to compete for awards such as “Quality,” “Fashion,” “Functionality,” and “Design.”

This year’s winner of the Fashion Award, “Mark of the Dinnerware Set Brand” utilized a gold fabricating and bending welding method to transform the tin plate into geometric effects, like paper folding. Traditional tin craft, thus, is presented with a modern design style. The Dragon Carving Tea Pot Set, the winner of the Design Award, uses sacred animal and flower totems on a tea scoop along with a tea infusion device to connect with nature. On the tea scoop, the soft lines of leaves combines with the grandiosity of the lucky dragon and phoenix, conjuring images of a mysterious world filled with smog and clouds. ‘Image of Mountain Life’ Table and Chair Set, the winner of the Functionality Award, was inspired by the Ming Dynasty’s old-fashioned wooden chairs; through height adjustment, people sitting on the chair can feel relaxed. The arch design of the tea table came from the elegant arch shape of carrying poles in ancient times, presenting the ease and relaxation of mountain life. The winner of the Quality Award, Golden Tenmoku Hare’s Fur Small Cups, depicts colorful reflections under light and on water. The star-like shining light portrays noble colors and geometric totems in various layers lead us to the starry cosmos of different emotions.

To enable consumers to easily identify certified products, this June the Institute began to promote authenticate C-Marks by giving an authentic code to each company which successfully entered the competition and assisted and recommended them to sell their products inside shops of national museums such as those at airports, Taiwan’s OTOP Museum, gift shops run by the public sector, department stores, and hotels. Companies have been actively invited to both domestic and international trade shows and exchanges, including Shenzhen International Tea Industry Expo, Sichuan International Tourism Trade Fair, Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo, Xiamen Cultural Industries Fair, Taiyuan International Tea Industry Expo, Xian International Tea Industry Expo, Maison & Objet Paris, Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, International Innovative Craft Fair, Korea Craft Trend Fair, Tea Industry Expos in Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan, Creative Expo Taiwan, Taipei Culinary Exhibition, and exhibition tours in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Stores in Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan to improve their brand visibility.

Taiwan’s craft companies are micro-enterprises incorporating traditional crafts that face tremendous challenges in the contemporary consumer market. They aim to preserve traditional craft techniques and infuse new perspectives and ideas through design to give traditional craft works new lives. C-Mark aims to help enterprises to build their own brands and expand marketing channels. Meanwhile, it controls product and service quality for consumers. The Institute will continuously integrate energy from the industry and the public sector to promote innovation and the development of the craft industry. It is hoped that enterprises participating in the certification system in the future will present better and more creative products to bring the most beautiful crafts and art into daily life and give us greater aesthetics.