TAIWAN CRAFTS JOURNAL

Nov. 2018 / Vol.69

|Feature

Craft×Design - Upgraded Skills on a New Horizon

Having experienced the impact of mass production, people start to appreciate something with great design, craftsmanship, technology and aesthetics. While Taiwan’s craft industry is at a watershed moment for more upgrades and changes, this issue discusses the possibility of putting together the great minds of experienced craftspeople, factories and designers from the aspects of self-transformation, government matchmaking and international competition/cooperation for a more sophisticated and up-to-date production and cooperation model.

Good Design - Key to Keeping the Craft Industry Going

The makeover stories of Yeong Jin Furniture Factory and Good Gold are featured here to show how Taiwan’s craft brands have transformed themselves from the design concepts. The way they let the power of design unfold fosters renewal of skills, fine-tuning of production procedure and innovation of marketing strategies. By doing that, they gradually build up the brand philosophy and value and unique product aesthetics, while making great efforts to cultivate new talent and improve the creative landscape for a shared and sustainable future.

Empowerment and Diversity ﹣Education Trends of Craft Studio

Two micro-craft companies Yih Wood Studio and Hakka-blue are good examples of how to have faith in your own design and stick to it to maintain brand value as well as create more market share. Nowadays, consumers want a craft work not just because they need it, but much more about using it to create a particular style or experience. The very essence of design is not only creativity or innovation but also communication. A good craft in this new era is supposed to be environment-friendly and efficient, as well as something that shows the unique texture of its material and good to use for a long time.

Change the Stone Industry with Design - Hualien International Stone Workshop

This article is about the achievements of a special project on stone industry in Hualien launched by the Stone and Resource Industry R&D Center (SRDC) in 2016. Workshops have been held to match local designers of Taiwan with stone processing factories in Hualien in the hope that they could come up with practical plans to build whole new production lines for the industry. With new design coming in, the stone industry in Hualien could enter a new era and ushers in new momentum for the local stone-making community.

Upgrade Strategies / Re-create Value - Craft Multiplied by Design

There is a longing for innovation and diversity in modern life. Taiwan’s craft industry focused too much on how to cut down the costs and approached a life-or-death moment in one time. For the industry to upgrade and transform, incorporating good design in craft works is necessary. This article walks the readers through how a national craft brand Yii was established and looks back on how the government works on putting more and more design elements into craft pieces in these ten years.

Taiwan - France Hand in Hand Craft Research and Innovation Project: Keep on Walking

This craft research and innovation project between Taiwan and France was initiated in 2010 and aimed to have foreign designers to give Taiwan’s craft works a makeover from different design angles. The key in this case is to find the right material - bamboo that is a very oriental element and can be used to create a green work of art. The people involved not only have an open mind but also put in great efforts to make sure this project will run as smooth as possible.