Yuan Ze University Department of Art and Design Won Silver at the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards

The Department of Art and Design at Yuan Ze University stood out among more than 9,000 entries worldwide to win a Silver Award at the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards, once again showcasing the outstanding achievements and boundless creativity of Taiwan’s design education on the international stage.

The winning project, Glimmers of the Cracks, was a collaborative final presentation for the junior-level course “Digital Imaging and Architectural Spatial Thinking and Practice.” Guided by Professor Ting-Han Chen, the project was jointly created by students Chih-Yu Kuo, Hsuan Lee, Yun-Chen Chang, Hui-Lin Yuan, Chieh-Jung Chien, Yu-Ju Lai, Yung-Jui Huang, Hsiao-Ching Huang, Yu-Hsuan Tsai, Hsun-Chia Lin, Pin-Hsin Lin, Pei-Tzu Lo, and Hsi-Sheng Wang. The project demonstrated excellent teamwork and interdisciplinary integration and execution.

Among the works, Heart Room by Chih-Yu Kuo combined projection mapping and optical illusion techniques to explore spatial transformation and emotional flow, inviting viewers to re-examine the subtle connections and tensions within family relationships. Shelter, a joint work by Hsuan Lee and Yun-Chen Chang, constructed a small space symbolizing a psychological haven, reflecting the warm sanctuary individuals create for self-healing under the pressures of growing up. Hsiao-Ching Huang’s The Time It Takes to Smoke a Cigarette portrays the psychological journey from “growing together” to “individual exploration” through the lens of separated twins, delicately presenting the struggles of adolescence with independence and choice.

In addition, Hui-Lin Yuan independently submitted her project, The Stare of Fear, which also received high praise from the jury. Composed of three box-shaped interactive installations, the work incorporated peepholes, slits, and wide-angle mirrors to allow viewers to peek inside and observe the inner video projections. By manipulating the viewer’s perspective and inducing visual distortions and interference, the work simulated how people perceive the unknown, aiming to explore how fear often stems from internal projection and imagination rather than external reality. Yuan expressed her hope that viewing would provoke reflection on how individuals construct and interpret fear.

This marked the second consecutive year that the Department of Art and Design at Yuan Ze University received honors at the MUSE Creative Awards, reflecting the continued success of its curriculum in nurturing globally minded design talent. Professor Ting-Han Chen noted that he encouraged students to transform their classwork into internationally competitive projects. By participating in global competitions, students not only gained practical experience but also gave the world a glimpse into the creativity and potential of young Taiwanese designers.

Department Chairperson Lim Chor-Kheng emphasized that the 2025 MUSE Awards attracted fierce competition from world-renowned brands and design institutions such as Coach, FILA, McKinsey & Company, Hyundai MOBIS, Aedas, and Ralph Appelbaum Associates. Yuan Ze University’s recognition amidst such a competitive field was truly remarkable. She highlighted the department’s long-standing efforts to integrate creative practice with global perspectives through expert faculty, interdisciplinary coursework, and industry-academia collaborations. This award not only acknowledged the hard work and talent of faculty and students but also underscored Yuan Ze University’s leadership and forward-looking vision in art and design education.