The call for the “6th Taichung Original Design” program has officially commenced. The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taichung City Government integrates three major categories—Taichung crafts, visual and packaging design, and creative lifestyle products—to establish the city’s brand identity. Applications are now open and will be accepted until May 11, 2026. Eligible businesses registered in Taichung City that offer products with complete content and packaging, demonstrating complete product presentation and market readiness, are sincerely invited to submit their applications.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that since the launch of the Taichung Original Design brand initiative in 2021, the program has now entered its sixth year. It has not only served as a platform for product exposure but also as a key driver supporting brand operators in expanding their distribution channels. To encourage more outstanding Taichung original brands to actively participate in international exhibitions, the Bureau will lead selected products from previous editions to exhibit at the “2026 Taiwan Cultural Expo – TCOD Pavilion”. In addition, brands that obtain TCOD certification this year and independently participate in the 2026 Taiwan Cultural Expo will be eligible for a booth fee subsidy of NT$10,000. The Bureau looks forward to enthusiastic participation from local brands and welcomes them to join Taichung’s cultural and creative industry.

The Bureau further noted that since the promotion of TCOD Taichung Original Design, many selected products have achieved remarkable results in commercial collaborations, international exhibitions, and awards. Mr. Chen Li-Fan, head of the brand “Communicator Cultural Creative Design Studio” (CCCSPS), which received TCOD certification in 2025, stated that through the city branding initiative, the brand successfully participated in the Taiwan Cultural Expo and secured international purchase orders, expanding from the local market to the global stage. Eros, head of the “Entadar” brand, which has been selected multiple times, shared that with the support of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the brand participated in Maison&Objet Paris 2025, enhancing its international competitiveness and visibility. Meanwhile, products from “Kantan Co., Ltd.,” also recognized by TCOD, were procured in large quantities by the Longjing District Office, bringing artistic products into everyday life.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau added that the call for the “2026 Taichung Original Design Brand” is now open for both paper-based and online applications. Any business registered in Taichung City with products that include complete content and packaging and are ready for direct sale is eligible to apply. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official website to review the guidelines, download application forms, or apply online.