International Competition Success: NUU Industrial Design Professor and Student Win Itami Award at Japan’s Itami International Craft Exhibition
National United University’s Department of Industrial Design has achieved another success in an international design competition. Professor Chiang Hsiu-Chieh and student Wang Ting-Ya jointly created Between the Islands, which was selected from numerous entries at the 2026 Itami International Craft Exhibition in Japan and received the Itami Award, the third major award of this year’s competition. The recognition highlights the achievements of NUU faculty and students in craft design, material exploration, and creative practice.
The Itami International Craft Exhibition is a major international open-call craft competition in Japan. Since becoming an international open-call exhibition in 1998, it has featured two alternating themes since 2001: “Jewellery” and “Shuki Shuhaidai” (vessels and stands for sake). The exhibition continues to explore the diverse relationships among craft, materials, and contemporary life and culture. The competition is also recognized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education as a top-tier international competition in the craft design category under the International Design Competition (IDC) program, which encourages students to participate in international art and design competitions.
The 2026 competition focused on the theme “Shuki Shuhaidai,” with no restrictions on the materials used. Participants were encouraged to explore the relationship between vessels, drinking culture, and contemporary life through different materials, craft techniques, and design approaches. A total of 251 works were submitted, with 97 selected for the exhibition and only eight receiving awards. Between the Islands, jointly created by Professor Chiang and Wang Ting-Ya, received the Itami Award. According to the official award listing, the Itami Award follows the Grand Prix and the 2nd Best Overall Award, making it the third major award of this year’s competition.
The international recognition of Between the Islands demonstrates the Department of Industrial Design’s strength in product design, material experimentation, and craft practice. It also highlights how faculty and students can combine design thinking with everyday objects and contemporary craft through collaborative creation. Participation in international competitions and exhibitions not only connects NUU’s creative work with the international design community but also broadens students’ and faculty members’ perspectives and experience in cross-disciplinary practice.
The competition results have now been officially announced. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 14, 2026, at the Itami City Museum in Japan. Between the Islands will also be exhibited at the museum alongside the selected works from November 14 to December 20, 2026.
The award recognizes the creative achievements of Professor Chiang Hsiu-Chieh and Wang Ting-Ya while highlighting the Department of Industrial Design’s continued efforts in design education, material practice, and international exchange. The achievement further adds to NUU’s growing presence on the international craft and design stage.
Photos and text provided by the Department of Industrial Design
September 9, 2026
The Itami International Craft Exhibition is a major international open-call craft competition in Japan. Since becoming an international open-call exhibition in 1998, it has featured two alternating themes since 2001: “Jewellery” and “Shuki Shuhaidai” (vessels and stands for sake). The exhibition continues to explore the diverse relationships among craft, materials, and contemporary life and culture. The competition is also recognized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education as a top-tier international competition in the craft design category under the International Design Competition (IDC) program, which encourages students to participate in international art and design competitions.
The 2026 competition focused on the theme “Shuki Shuhaidai,” with no restrictions on the materials used. Participants were encouraged to explore the relationship between vessels, drinking culture, and contemporary life through different materials, craft techniques, and design approaches. A total of 251 works were submitted, with 97 selected for the exhibition and only eight receiving awards. Between the Islands, jointly created by Professor Chiang and Wang Ting-Ya, received the Itami Award. According to the official award listing, the Itami Award follows the Grand Prix and the 2nd Best Overall Award, making it the third major award of this year’s competition.
The international recognition of Between the Islands demonstrates the Department of Industrial Design’s strength in product design, material experimentation, and craft practice. It also highlights how faculty and students can combine design thinking with everyday objects and contemporary craft through collaborative creation. Participation in international competitions and exhibitions not only connects NUU’s creative work with the international design community but also broadens students’ and faculty members’ perspectives and experience in cross-disciplinary practice.
The competition results have now been officially announced. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 14, 2026, at the Itami City Museum in Japan. Between the Islands will also be exhibited at the museum alongside the selected works from November 14 to December 20, 2026.
The award recognizes the creative achievements of Professor Chiang Hsiu-Chieh and Wang Ting-Ya while highlighting the Department of Industrial Design’s continued efforts in design education, material practice, and international exchange. The achievement further adds to NUU’s growing presence on the international craft and design stage.
Photos and text provided by the Department of Industrial Design
September 9, 2026
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