Human-Centered Design Integrates AI and Technology: YunTech and Osaka Institute of Technology Join Forces to Promote the 2026 Taiwan-Japan Interdisciplinary Design Co-Creation Program
From August 25 to 28, 2026, the Department of Creative Design at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech) and Osaka Institute of Technology in Japan jointly hosted the “2026 YunTech–Osaka Institute of Technology Interdisciplinary Integrated Design Workshop.” This year’s workshop focused on “Design for Older Adults Based on Design Process Thinking,” placing human-centered design at its core while integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from technology, systems engineering, and artificial intelligence. Through joint learning and hands-on design activities involving faculty members and students from Taiwan and Japan, the workshop explored innovative design solutions for an aging society.
The workshop officially opened in the presence of YunTech Vice President Shyh-Huei Huang, Chairperson Yi-Pin Lin of the Department of Creative Design, and faculty members from both universities. The event brought together YunTech instructors Wang-Chin Tsai from the Department of Creative Design and Wei-Te Tsai from the Department of Industrial Design, as well as Professors Satoru Masuoka and Hiroshige Taniguchi from Osaka Institute of Technology, for guidance and academic exchange. Through cross-university dialogue, the instructors guided students in exploring design thinking and practical methodologies. During the opening ceremony, a “Blooming Plate,” created by students from the Department of Creative Design under the guidance of Professor Chen-Yao Chang using pruned campus mahogany wood, was presented to representatives of Osaka Institute of Technology. The gift incorporated sustainability into campus-based creative work and marked the beginning of further design exchange between the two universities.
The workshop brought together Taiwanese and Japanese students in international teams. Starting from the everyday experiences and actual needs of older adults, students progressed through a series of stages, including lectures, problem definition, ideation, and group discussions, gradually transforming their observations into concrete design proposals. The program also included craft experiences and field visits, allowing students to deepen their humanistic perspectives through local culture, hands-on craftsmanship, and knowledge exploration. Following four days of intensive discussion and proposal development, each team presented its final project on August 28. The teams proposed innovative concepts addressing the needs of older adults, followed by joint feedback and evaluation from faculty members of both universities, demonstrating the learning outcomes of cross-cultural collaboration and interdisciplinary integration.
Yi-Pin Lin, Chairperson of the Department of Creative Design, stated that the workshop addressed the needs of an aging society as a shared theme and created opportunities for interdisciplinary dialogue among design, technology, systems engineering, and AI. Through international teamwork, students developed their abilities in problem definition, creative communication, and integrated proposal development. Looking ahead, the two universities will continue to deepen their collaboration in teaching and research and promote design education that combines humanistic care, technological literacy, and an international perspective.
Group photo at the opening ceremony of the 2026 YunTech–Osaka Institute of Technology Interdisciplinary Integrated Design Workshop.
Presenting the “Blooming Plate,” created by students from the Department of Creative Design under the guidance of Professor Tsen-Yao Chang, using pruned mahogany wood from the YunTech campus.
Instructors introduce issues related to older adults and human-centered design perspectives, guiding Taiwanese and Japanese students to explore the diverse needs of an aging society.
Taiwanese and Japanese faculty members and students complete a local craft workshop, showcasing their handmade creations and posing for a group photo.
Group photo at the 2026 YunTech–Osaka Institute of Technology Interdisciplinary Integrated Design Workshop Exhibition
Organizing Unit: Department of Creative Design
Department Head: Yi-Pin Lin
Contact Person: Hsiang-Ju Tseng
Telephone: Ext. 6402
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