The Department of Economic Development (DED) announced that it is launching a series of design competitions in April as part of the city’s “Creative and Design Industry Development Plan.”

These competitions include “2012 Taipei Design Award,” “Logo Design Contest,” and “Slow Travel Taipei Photography Contest.”

Formerly known as the Taipei Industrial Design Award, the 2012 Taipei Design Award has been expanded to include categories spanning Industrial Design, Visual Communication Design, and Public Space Design. The competitions aim to discover more talent and to boost the design industry.

Themed “You I,” the award’s core concept highlights bridging the gap between people in a society that embraces diversity. With the total prize money reaching a record high of NT$3 million, the contest is expected to see a surge of participants this year.

In addition, to establish Taipei Design Award as a primary showroom for worldwide design talents and thus stimulate local industry development, the organizers invite the public to help create a logo for the award – one that befits the City’s image as a capital of designs.

The “Slow Travel Taipei Photography Contest” serves as a precursor activity to this year’s Taipei Good Design Exhibition. The organizers encourage the public to take photos that capture the city’s creative images from different corners, helping to add momentum to Taipei’s bid for the title of 2016 World Design Capital.

For more information on the competitions and on the registration process, please visit the official Chinese website at: www.taipeidaward.org.tw.