Made in Taiwan | SU25 Faculty-Led
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, February 5 (Week 3) at 1pm
Note: Thanks to a generous grant from the J. Yang and Family Foundation, there is NO PROGRAM FEE associated with this program!
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Thanks to a generous grant provided by the J. Yang & Family Foundation Grant, there is NO PROGRAM FEE associated with this course.
What does it mean to be made in Taiwan? What makes something or someone Taiwanese? Why should we care? In this studio we will be looking at Taiwan through the perceived Other: from original people to the new second generation. Taiwan is more open now than ever. In 2019 it was the first (and only) Asian country to pass same sex marriage legislation. And yet the influence of its Chinese neighbor, the still predominant culture, and the ongoing pressure to conform, leaves young people searching for freedom of self-expression and self-exploration. Who and what is authentically Taiwanese? What is the future of Taiwan? Who decides and why is it so important to the rest of the world?
In this Designmatters Study Away Studio, students will design and facilitate a co-creation workshop with local students / language buddies. They will explore issues around self and what shapes a person’s identity.
The Made in Taiwan project seeks to explore and to better understand what it means to be “native” using the environs of Taiwan as our setting and case study. By extension students will have the opportunity to uncover and reflect upon their own origins and roots. Bringing together theory, practice, and everyday life we will surface and articulate insights and human truths that connect us all. This is relevant to designers and our work as we create in part to make meaning and and connect with our audiences in emotionally compelling ways. Some high level themes of our studio are MULTIPLICITY (we will encourage multiple readings / interpretations), PLURALISM (more YES AND thinking), and EXPANSIVENESS.
ABOUT DESIGNMATTERS
The Designmatters educational platform at ArtCenter College of Design joins collaboration with experimentation, experience with reflection, problem-solving with problem-discovery, and purpose with action. Through research, advocacy and action, Designmatters engages, empowers and leads an ongoing exploration of art and design as a positive force in society. Check out their website of past projects.
Students should consider the Designmatters Minor in Social Innovation, a course of study for undergraduate students who want to master a toolkit of design skills and strategies to navigate the complex dynamics of working with communities and designing for social impact.
Comprised of a mix of Designmatters real-world transdiciplinary studios, select Humanities & Sciences courses, and optional study abroad/cultural exchange programs (such as this studio!), the Designmatters Minor is offered to all Undergraduate majors at ArtCenter. Find out more here.
For more information, email: designmatters@artcenter.edu and be sure to follow them on Instagram.
SUMMER 2025 COURSE DESCRIPTION
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SUMMER 2025 ARTCENTER STUDIO
Made in TaiwanOpen to all majors
Eligible for TDS credit and/or Designmatters minor
Room 306 Designmatters Studio 1111, Wednesdays 2-7pmWhat does it mean to be made in Taiwan? What makes something or someone Taiwanese? Why should we care? In this studio we will be looking at Taiwan through the perceived Other: from original people to the new second generation. Taiwan is more open now than ever. In 2019 it was the first (and only) Asian country to pass same sex marriage legislation. And yet the influence of its Chinese neighbor, the still predominant culture, and the ongoing pressure to conform, leaves young people searching for freedom of self-expression and self-exploration. Who and what is authentically Taiwanese? What is the future of Taiwan? Who decides and why is it so important to the rest of the world?
In this Designmatters Study Away Studio, students will design and facilitate a co-creation workshop with local students / language buddies. They will explore issues around self and what shapes a person’s identity.
The Made in Taiwan project seeks to explore and to better understand what it means to be “native” using the environs of Taiwan as our setting and case study. By extension students will have the opportunity to uncover and reflect upon their own origins and roots. Bringing together theory, practice, and everyday life we will surface and articulate insights and human truths that connect us all. This is relevant to designers and our work as we create in part to make meaning and and connect with our audiences in emotionally compelling ways. Some high level themes of our studio are MULTIPLICITY (we will encourage multiple readings / interpretations), PLURALISM (more YES AND thinking), and EXPANSIVENESS.
GOALS
Introduce students to contemporary Taiwan, its people, culture, and issues
Establish an understanding of unique issues being faced by different communities that may cause barriers to understanding unarticulated needs
Interface with local students, artists and designers, activists, local community organizations, advocates, living experts and other stakeholders
Give students a real-world context to develop their understanding of design tools and strategies, research, design thinking methods and best practices, rapid brainstorming, and community engagement.
Gather (multiple) answers to the question of “For whom do we design?” and tease out the questions of “Why?” “What is important?” “What matters most?” “Why do we care?” etc.
Additionally…
Get exposure to and involvement with all aspects of the design process: research, inspiration gathering, brainstorm, strategy defining, concept development, prototyping etc..
Build empathy with various audiences through activities like stakeholder panels (with lived experience) or observing a day-in-the-life (tbd) and video blogging about what you observe, real-time
Get comfortable working in ambiguous and dynamic environments, and with unfamiliar people, places, cultures, and spaces
Learn more about the messy front end of design and brand creation in the context of Designmatters
METHODOLOGIES
Keywords: Design Research, Design Thinking, Human-Centered Design, Interaction Design, User Experience, Empathy, Insights, Communication Design
A Potential Starting Place: Engagement with NTU language buddies and other students to explore what matters most to them and what frustrates them
Co-creation Workshop
Design, scope, and run research that helps us tackle student team topics;
Facilitate synthesis, generating insights and opportunities for design.
Creatively articulate the insights and stories behind our design concepts.
Use human-centered insight to uncover and discover new findings
Introduce students to qualitative research methods, including research scope and design;
Develop presentation skills focusing on creative storytelling styles to tell compelling human stories
Use human-centered research to uncover human truths
PROJECT COMPONENTS AND DELIVERABLES
Project Components may include, but are not limited to:
On the Ground Research (Taiwan history, people, places, culture, issues)
Stakeholder Interviews with experts and others with lived experience
Co-Creation Workshop Outline for the Day / Moderator’s Guide
Prototypes: A Playbook of Ideas for various lines of inquiry
Design Concepts around the relevant issues and material to address the more immediate topics from the various communities
VISAS
According to the most recent guidance, PRC citizens are now eligible to apply for a 15-day tourist visa to visit Taiwan if they apply at a TECO office in the US (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office). Program participants are encouraged to contact the Los Angeles TECO directly for information and assistance.
As with all international programs, students are responsible for researching entry/exit requirements and obtaining any applicable permit or visa that pertains to their citizenship and passport. Each destination has its own immigration policy, which can change at any time. Students interested in traveling to Taiwan in particular, should check requirements early to best understand their travel eligibility.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We understand there are always additional fees associated with travel and we want all students to know study abroad is accessible to them. Eligible students should apply for the Diversity and Access Travel Stipend Award (DATSA). See our Pay for Study Away page for more details on study away affordability.
Taipei 2024
ABOUT TAIPEI
Taipei, the vibrant capital of Taiwan, is a city where tradition meets innovation in fascinating ways. Nestled between lush mountains and the serene waters of the Tamsui River, Taipei is renowned for its dynamic blend of old and new, which creates a unique canvas for design enthusiasts.
Taipei's status as a hub for designers is underscored by its thriving creative scene and emphasis on cutting-edge design. The city's architectural landscape features an impressive mix of modern skyscrapers like Taipei 101 and historic temples, offering endless inspiration.
Taipei's neighborhoods, like the vibrant Ximending and the chic Da’an District, are teeming with design studios, boutiques, and cafes that reflect a keen sense of style and creativity. Furthermore, Taipei’s blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design is evident in its rich arts and crafts scene. The city is home to many artisans who merge traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, offering a unique perspective on design that celebrates both heritage and innovation.
In essence, Taipei is not just a city; it's a living, breathing design experiment where the past and present coalesce in creative harmony. Whether you're an architect, graphic designer, or industrial designer, Taipei offers an inspiring environment to explore, create, and thrive.
ABOUT THE FACULTY
Leigh Hoffman has a deep understanding of brands and design from her extensive professional experience in advertising and marketing from Young & Rubicam and Universal Studios. She is the co-founder and Principal Brand Strategist at March Studio, which helps nonprofits and community-based organizations improve people’s everyday lives through authentic, purpose-oriented architecture.
Leigh is a full-time Professor in the Humanities & Sciences department. She leverages her experience in brand strategy, design, and social impact in transdisciplinary academic classes such as Brandmatters and Designmatters studios, including Strong Apart: Resilient+Connected, The Girl Effect, and Branded: How Brands Shape Ideas, Identities, and Society. She is a lead facilitator of DesignStorms, workshops with multidisciplinary teams of designers and partners, such as SanHE (Sustainable Health Enterprises).
Leigh brings a critical perspective and consistent strategic approach to her professional and educational work, creating insights that add value and meaning. She has a BA in economics and Spanish from Tulane University, and an MBA in marketing and international business from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business.
Brigitte Kouo is a multidisciplinary designer with a formal background in architecture, art history, and visual culture. Her architectural and interior design work is informed by an appreciation for eclecticism, history, decorative arts, and high/low culture. She is interested in the potential for creative tension where new meets old, preferring existing conditions and structures to be in conversation with over blank slates.
Exposure to a wide range of places and cultures as a child provides her with broad perspectives. She grew up in locales as Middle American as Southeast Missouri and Central Texas and as far flung as Greece and Belgium. Additionally, she spent time living in Taiwan for extended summer visits with family, where she had formative experiences of being a hybrid neither – nor person, learning to read and write Mandarin alongside businesspeople from Europe and the Americas.
Professionally, Brigitte sometimes steps outside of architecture into the worlds of corporate and brand strategy, product innovation, and consumer insights. These detours give her unique opportunities to balance creative and design interests with understanding consumers, incorporating client wishes, and honoring project goals, aiding in the creation of truly relevant and compelling outcomes.
She received her M.Arch from SCI_Arc, M.A. in Art History from UT Austin, and B.A. in Art History from Northwestern University.