Kyushu University x National Taipei University of Technology x Southwest Jiaotong University "Japan China Taiwan Resilience Design Workshop"

Since 2016, Kyushu University has collaborated with Southwest Jiaotong University, Sichuan University of the Arts, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing Institute of Technology, and Sichuan Normal University in China, and National Taipei University of Technology in Taiwan.

Riding on the experience of major disasters, three universities from Japan (Fukuoka), Taiwan, and China (Sichuan), Southwest Jiaotong University, National Taipei University of Technology, and Kyushu University, came together to hold a workshop in 2018. Twelve students from Kyushu University, three from National Taipei University of Technology, and two from Southwest Jiaotong University participated in this workshop.

The workshop focused on restoration support project for those effected by the heavy rains in northern Kyushu in July 2017. It included “Asakura Cedar Okiagari-koboshi​ (self-balancing doll) Painting” and “Specific Design Proposals for the Industries in Disaster Area”.

On the first day, the students visited Asakura and Toho village to observe the disaster areas and the local industries.

On the second day morning, each university reported on the disasters in their own countries and presented how the design was related to restoration. Also, Professor Chen, from National Taipei University of Technology, gave a lecture on Taiwan’s traditional woodworking industry.

For the afternoon, the students worked together to support the restoration of Asakura through the power of art by painting Okiagari-koboshi​ for the “Asakura Cedar Okiagari-koboshi​ Exhibition”. Then they split up into mixed teams from the three universities to each come up with a design proposal for “an aroma oil package using Asakura cedar scrap wood”. Each group presented their idea on the third day.

All three groups presented simple design ideas. There were ideas such as utilizing scrap wood as the packaging material, creating packaging that can be used as storage or to enjoy the oil, and creating packaging that also functions as an aroma oil diffuser. Besides, there was an idea to develop a mechanism that could incorporate other traditional craft techniques from the disaster area and neighboring areas.

Though the students met for the first time, the “disaster area experience” and “design” became the universal language of communication. It was a very fulfilling three days.

Through this collaboration, the three universities hope to continue forming the partnership and promoting concrete and continuous educational programs. Kyushu University hopes to take this opportunity to strengthen cultural exchange among students (specifically PhD students) and encourage the writing of co-authored papers.

[Speaker]
Chen Tien Li
Professor from National Taipei University of Technology

[Organizer]
Kyushu University, National Taipei University of Technology, Southwest Jiaotong University