Yuan Ze University’s 28th Graduation Exhibition “Strawberry Pie” Debuted at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

The 28th graduation exhibition of Yuan Ze University’s Department of Information Communication, titled Strawberry Pie, made its grand debut at Warehouse No. 3 of the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei.

This exhibition showcased 21 student projects spanning a wide range of fields, including interactive technology, film and animation, game design, and integrated marketing, demonstrating the rich creativity and interdisciplinary capabilities of a new generation of students.

By naming the exhibition Strawberry Pie, the students cleverly reappropriated the label “Strawberry Generation” to voice their responses to societal misunderstandings and expectations of Gen Z. Their works offered diverse interpretations of their observations and reflections on the world, highlighting a youthful spirit of resilience and conviction amidst pressures and change. Cheng-Hung Teng, Chair of the Department of Information Communication, remarked, "Strawberry Pie was not merely a title—it was a generational dialogue. The students used design as their language to bravely tear off the ‘fragile’ label and prove themselves as both sensitive and strong—keen observers, active participants, and future creators."

The exhibition emphasized immersive experiences and social engagement, encouraging audiences not just to passively view the works but to interact with and deeply engage in them. For instance, the project GLISPER Interactive Experience, created by a team of six students including Tzu-Hui Hung and Chih-Yu Chang, integrated generative AI, psychology, fashion, and music. It guided viewers to reflect on the theme of “beauty shame,” prompting them to reconsider the relationship between self-perception and societal gaze.

Another team, led by Hsiang-Yin Hsueh, developed Chasing the Wind: A Wind Puzzle Adventure, a game that combined wind-control mechanics with an ancient temple exploration storyline. Through hands-on puzzle-solving, players experienced the fusion of technology and storytelling.

The medically themed project Hachu transformed complex medical terminology into an intuitive and entertaining experience through visual and interactive means, helping visitors better understand allergic reactions. Meanwhile, Obscoure, created by Mei-Lan Chung’s team, used experimental fashion design to convey the inner world of individuals with social anxiety, challenging traditional notions of fashion and evoking empathy about interpersonal interaction and self-awareness.

The project Biolink, developed by Yun-Hsiang Tsai, Yu-Hua Hsiao, and others, used a dual-user interactive device to symbolize interpersonal connection. Through dialogue and collaboration, participants used generative AI to cultivate unique bacterial pattern visuals, expressing the diversity and depth of human relationships. Another piece, by Tzu-Chun Huang’s team, tackled the “refined poverty” phenomenon among young people, using virtual characters and interactive installations to expose the reality beneath glamorous appearances, sparking reflection on consumer culture and life pressures.

Several works also cleverly incorporated local culture and humor. A team led by Yi-An Lin sampled familiar Taiwanese street vendor calls—like those selling grilled rice dumplings and stinky tofu—and transformed them into sound installations and visual performances, crafting a grassroots symphony blending local identity and modern music. The interactive installation Elder Meme Remix (長倍圖), created by Wei-Wei Liang’s team, humorously reimagined classic elder memes, offering a fresh take on traditional care and promoting intergenerational understanding.

In the fantasy-themed Realm of Illusion, Yi-Chen Lu’s team constructed an immersive secret world where visitors engaged in emotional interactions with virtual spirits. This multisensory experience wove sound and imagination together, creating a whimsical yet gentle realm of fantasy.