The Taitung Design Center and Taiwan Design Center are launching “Circular Design: Are You In-Circled” in Taitung on May 9th — the second exhibition that will move from Taipei to Taitung this year, thanks to a resource-exchanging agreement between the two design centers. Miniwiz — an innovative green energy design company — and Blues To, the chief editor of GQ magazine, collaborated to curate the exhibition. They used the question “Are You In-Circled?” to spark conversation around the topic of circular design, “in-circling” enterprises, designers, and consumers into discussions.
The enterprises displayed at the exhibition have begun to transform outdated linear models into circular ones, inspiring future enterprises and designers to explore future methods of design and innovation. The exhibition invited Taiwanese companies that are currently implementing circular thought — including Miniwiz, Hsin Yung Chien, O’right, Darfon, Singtex, and Dot Design — to showcase services and products that re-think daily consumer behavior from the standpoint of circularity, and work to create a better future for the next generation. During the exhibition, there will also be a lecture series to teach attendees about environmental sustainability.
Meaningful Design = Valuable Design
As the world’s natural resources are dwindling, enterprises are looking for ways to use resources more sustainably, and circular design and the circular economy are two topics that have captured the world’s attention. Sustainable design is not just a concept, but encompasses the entire system — from materials, production processes, design, business models and marketing. The entire system needs to be adjusted and improved. The goal of circular design is to use make changes to society in a way that pushes the entire system towards sustainable development.
As such, Circular Design incorporates sustainable design, reflective design, societal design, and even ecosystem design. The Circular Design Exhibition — Are You In-Circled? provides attendees with different ways of thinking about the issue. Besides understanding circular design success stories, attendees can also experience how making sustainable choices in their daily lives can make a difference; for example, using reusable containers and recyclable materials.
▌ About Taitung Design Center
The Taitung Design Center is a city that plans through human-centered design, and one that works to illuminate and solve problems. Taitung invites locals, immigrants, administrators and visitors to experience Taitung and offer their own perspective about government administration, natural environment and urban life.
After remodeling the old visitors’ center, the Taitung Design Center officially moved into a brand new open space last August. At the same time, they opened a series of enlivened spaces and design projects in the culturally rich old train station. By planning exhibitions related to Taitung, they are both increasing the space’s value and also communicating with the people in a more subtle way.
▌ Curator Team
Arthur Huang, Founder of Miniwiz
After graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s in Architecture and receiving a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Harvard University, Huang founded Miniwiz in 2007. With a talented team of product developers, Miniwiz strove to design green energy products that are fashionable, intricate, convenient, and practical. His team has developed products such as HYmini, a handheld wind-powered charger, miniSolar, a handheld solar panel charger, and LED lighting. These products are in-line with international consumer preferences and have already entered European and North American markets.
Blues To, Chief Editor for GQ Magazine (Chinese Edition)
Born in 1970, decided to go into media after receiving a degree in advertising. With wide-ranging interests, a love for reading magazines, and an incurable obsession with beauty, To wanted to share his beliefs, enjoyments, and touching stories with the greater public — in a sleek, stylish manner. He began working as a digital editor, and — by persistently trusting his intuition about design, life, and style — slowly worked his way through the ranks, until becoming the chief editor at GQ. To believes that the best way to integrate beauty into our daily lives is by narrowing the gap between the ideal and the practical.
Exhibition Information
Circular Design: Are You In-Circled?
Date｜2019.05.09 – 2019.09.15
Time｜Weekdays 08:30 – 17:30, Weekends 08:00 -18:00
Location｜Taitung Design Center (Google map)
Official Organizer｜Taitung County Government Executive Organizer｜Taitung Bus Station
Joint Organizer｜Taiwan Design Center
