The 5th TCOD Taichung Original Design selection is officially underway! Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government, this selection highlights original designs in three areas—crafts, visual and packaging design, and creative lifestyle products—aiming to create a city brand that reflects Taichung’s distinct character. Submissions are open until Friday, May 9. Businesses based in Taichung are encouraged to take part in upgrading.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that Taichung is rich in culture and thriving creative design sector. Launched in 2021, the Taichung Original Design(TCOD) brand program selects exceptional works across three categories—crafts, visual and packaging design, and creative lifestyle products. Submissions are evaluated based on various factors, including their ability to tell a local story, cultural depth, scalability for mass production, market appeal, distribution feasibility, and potential for cross-industry collaboration. Over the past 4 years, 118 products have earned TCOD brand certification, reflecting Taichung’s distinctive cultural essence.

Kousancraft is a local lacquerware brand that has earned TCOD certification for 4 times. According to its project manager, Ms. Chen Yu-Ying, they not only received procurement from government agencies such as the Information Bureau, Education Bureau, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs after certified, but also expanded its retail reach to institutions like the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Taiwan History. Similarly, AURA, recognized in the 4th Taichung Original Design selection for its pleated leather bags and cold-process handmade soaps, has also benefited from the TCOD program. Its designer, Mr. Huang Hao-Chun, shared that the Cultural Affairs Bureau facilitated an order from the Taichung Public Library for gifts. Huang also noted that participating in pop-up sales events allowed the brand to interact directly with customers and gain more market feedback, which is crucial and valuable in its product designs.

According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, this year’s Taichung Original Design-certified products will benefit from multiple promotional opportunities. They will be featured on TCOD’s official website, showcased on online e-commerce platforms, and presented at the 2025 Creative Expo Taiwan – TCOD Taichung Original Design Section at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. Additionally, selected products may be nominated for the Top 10 Taichung Souvenirs selection, included in the Taichung Shopping Festival as participating businesses, or designated as National Travel Card partner businesses. They may also have the chance to participate in international trade fairs, increasing their visibility and market competitiveness.

The public is also invited to check the TCOD website for more astonishing designs. Welcome to check the “Good Products” section on the website and discover treasures that display Taichung’s unique cultural DNA.