About AUCPD
Design integration across the tangible and intangible, the real and the virtual, is a core competency required across all industries.
Since its establishment, the Department of Creative Product Design has been dedicated to cultivating design professionals who respond to national culture, industrial development, and everyday life needs. The department actively engages in educational and outreach initiatives aimed at enhancing design quality and enriching living culture. Through participation in various design competitions, students are trained to perceive user needs, translate user experiences and technological trends into concrete design outcomes, and develop strong creative integration capabilities. The department also encourages lifelong learning in design-related knowledge, theories, and methodologies, while fostering professional ethics and social responsibility under the guidance of the university.
We are committed to nurturing product design professionals equipped with Craftsmanship (C), Professionalism (P), and Discipline (D). These values—craft, expertise, and rigor—are not only embedded in the teaching process but also reflected in students’ daily practices and attitudes. The department emphasizes user-centered design insight and contextual thinking, supported by creative thinking and application skills, guiding students through the design and development of creative products. By integrating industrial services and promotion, we aim to cultivate professional designers who align with national development goals and public life needs.
Centered on product development in everyday life, the department expands into integrated innovation design fields such as marketing and service design. Through this approach, we cultivate outstanding integrative designers who demonstrate the value of the knowledge economy and contribute to improving quality of life. By closely connecting curriculum design with extracurricular learning resources, the department incorporates innovative thinking, technological trends, and humanistic and artistic perspectives into the design process, fostering projects that closely respond to user needs, enhance existing products, and create added value and industrial competitiveness.
Under the leadership of a strong faculty and research team, the department offers a diverse and innovative curriculum that balances theory and practice. With product development, product design, and engineering knowledge as its core focus, the Department of Creative Product Design further offers specialized programs in creative thinking and marketing-oriented design. In collaboration with China Medical University, Asia University’s College of Medical and Health Sciences, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the department jointly offers interdisciplinary programs such as Medical Assistive Device Design, Cosmetics Design, and Early Childhood Education Design.
Additionally, the department actively secures government-funded projects and offers extended career-oriented programs focusing on marketing management and entrepreneurship, supporting students in exploring research areas aligned with contemporary trends and industry demands.
Department History
The Department of Creative Product Design was established in 2007, guided by the educational philosophy of the founder, Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai, and led by the founding chair, Professor Sheng-Hung Lin, in alignment with Asia University’s core values of Health, Care, Innovation, and Excellence. From its inception, the department has built a comprehensive curriculum and robust learning environment—both in hardware and software—supported by a dedicated and passionate faculty team. Together, they have been fully committed to cultivating product design professionals in Taiwan who possess flexible thinking, boundless creativity, strong humanistic literacy, professional knowledge, advanced skills, and a global perspective.
Through a mentor–apprentice teaching model, faculty members guided the first cohort of students to explore the beauty and limitless possibilities of design. Remarkably, by its second year, students had already received international design awards, laying the first cornerstone of excellence for the department. To further promote design innovation, Asia University established the Creative Design and Invention Center in 2010, dedicated to international design and invention exhibitions. This initiative opened the door for students to enter the global design arena and accumulate substantial experience and achievements.
Following the official opening of the Asia University Museum of Modern Art in 2013, the Department of Creative Product Design collaborated with the museum to develop a series of creative products. Among these, museum-themed creative gift sets received two honors in the Professional Category of the 2018 iF Design Award (Germany) and were subsequently recognized by the Japan Good Design Award (G-Mark). Prior to the establishment of Asia University Hospital in 2016, the department had already actively collaborated with the hospital and China Medical University, proposing innovative concepts based on medical needs and conducting product research and development in conjunction with the university’s 3D Printing Center. In 2019, in response to the promotion of design innovation by Asia University’s College of Artificial Intelligence, the department led students to envision and explore future design paradigms driven by AI technologies.
Over the years, the Department of Creative Product Design at Asia University has received numerous awards. Winning design teams have been widely covered by the media and invited to television programs to present and explain their design concepts, providing students with broad and promising career opportunities. From 2014 onward, the university ranked first nationwide in the higher education system for six consecutive years in the Ministry of Education’s recognition for “Taiwanese Students’ Participation in International Art and Design Competitions.” In addition to dedicated faculty mentorship, the university regularly invites internationally renowned designers and experts to conduct global maker and design invention workshops on campus, strengthening students’ international design capabilities and broadening their global outlook.
With the department’s wholehearted guidance, students who commit themselves to learning are well prepared for success after four years of study—whether pursuing advanced graduate education or entering the professional workforce—with strong competitiveness and confidence.
Teaching Features
Pre-Enrollment Programs
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The department offers a Summer Design Workshop prior to enrollment to help incoming freshmen establish foundational design thinking.
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Asia University organizes a Pre-Arrival English Program to assist new students in transitioning smoothly into university life.
Student Care and Mentorship
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Each class is supported by a Class Advisor who provides guidance on academic and campus life.
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For first-year students, one Mentor (Mandala Mentor System) is assigned to every 15 students to assist with course planning.
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Additional support is provided through Academic Mentors, Career Mentors, and Industry Mentors, offering comprehensive guidance and care.
Diverse Learning Opportunities
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Interdisciplinary Programs: In addition to departmental courses, students benefit from shared resources between Asia University and China Medical University, creating diverse learning pathways.
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Professional Certification Coaching: Certification preparation courses are offered each semester to support students in obtaining professional credentials.
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Design Elite Program: Specialized coaching for students passionate about participating in international design competitions.
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Invention Elite Program: Organized by the Invention Center to explore creative design, industry development, and patent-related topics.
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English Proficiency Training: The Language Center offers campus-wide certification exams and free English tutoring.
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Overseas Exchange Programs: The International Affairs Office organizes summer exchange and study programs with renowned universities abroad.
Integration of Learning and Practice
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Industry–Academia Collaboration: The department actively collaborates with industry partners, encouraging hands-on practice to enhance professional experience.
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Internship Opportunities: Formal internship programs are established with multiple design firms, providing diverse career pathways.
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Corporate Recruitment: Annual recruitment and job-matching events are co-organized with government agencies and domestic and international industries.
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Entrepreneurship Program: The university offers entrepreneurship-focused elective programs featuring industry experts.
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Startup Fund: Asia University has established a NTD 50 million startup fund to support and mentor students and alumni in realizing entrepreneurial ventures.
Core Competencies of the Department of Creative Product Design
Craftsmanship
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Hands-on engagement and immersive experience throughout the creative process.
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In-depth exploration of materials, structures, and forms.
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A refined pursuit of aesthetics and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Professionalism
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Insight into user needs and industry trends.
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Comprehensive design expression skills and professional competence.
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The ability to translate strategy into creative execution.
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Collaborative skills in interdisciplinary teamwork and integrated communication.
Discipline
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A proactive mindset and professional work ethic.
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Meticulous thinking, rigor in action, and disciplined daily habits.
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A craftsman’s spirit focused on detail and precision.
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Strong sense of honor, cohesion, resilience, and perseverance.
