Yuan Ze University Partnered with the Down Syndrome Foundation to Create a Diverse and Inclusive Special Exhibition

In response to World Down Syndrome Day, the Down Syndrome Foundation R.O.C., in collaboration with Beigang Chaotian Temple, partnered across disciplines with Yuan Ze University to present the “321 Because of You, We Are Together” special exhibition. Held from now until March 29 at the Main Hall of Taipei Main Station, the exhibition conveyed the values of diversity and inclusion through artistic creation and public display, attracting many visitors to stop and view the works.

The exhibition integrated public welfare, culture, and design education, with cross-disciplinary co-creation involving the Department of Information and Communication at Yuan Ze University. Under the guidance of faculty member Yen-Chang Chen, 30 first-year students collaborated with individuals with Down syndrome in a color studies course to develop IP-based storytelling and creative designs. Using the original line drawings created by the participants with Down syndrome as a foundation, students transformed the works through color translation and visual interpretation, producing a series of emotionally resonant and expressive artworks that were publicly unveiled for the first time in this exhibition.

Chen stated that the course was centered on a people-oriented approach, emphasizing that design was not merely a matter of form but also carried the values of social care. Through the co-creation process, students learned to respect the creators’ expressions while also reflecting on the role and responsibility of design in promoting social inclusion.

First-year student Jing Kan from Yuan Ze University shared that everyone possessed unique qualities, and that “co-creation” served as a bridge connecting individuals, allowing differences to intertwine into something beautiful—an experience she found deeply moving. International student Trinh Thao Vy echoed this sentiment, noting that co-creation was not merely a form of collaboration but a process of respecting, protecting, and cherishing each person’s unique way of creating.

The organizers pointed out that by promoting co-creation projects through collaboration with universities, they hoped to help younger generations understand the importance of diversity and inclusion, while also providing individuals with Down syndrome more opportunities to express themselves and be seen by society. This special exhibition functioned not only as an art display platform but also as a catalyst for understanding and dialogue among different communities.

Yuan Ze University stated that it had long been committed to integrating design education with social practice. The outcomes of this exhibition demonstrated concrete achievements in educational innovation and public-interest collaboration. By stepping out of the classroom and into public spaces, students responded to social issues through creative work, showcasing the action-oriented strength of a new generation of designers.