Taoyuan Mayor Zhang Shan-zheng Boosts Youth Design Awards and Secures German iF Design Honor

On June 6 2026, Taoyuan City held the Taoyuan Design Award ceremony, featuring 1,248 submissions across graphic, product, animation and digital‑media categories, with 232 works shortlisted. The award, organized by the city’s Environmental Protection Bureau, focused on marine‑waste reuse, aiming to turn ocean debris into aesthetically and functionally valuable designs. Mayor Zhang Shan‑zheng said the event, together with the upcoming 2026 Taiwan Design Expo and the biennial Taoyuan Landscape Art Festival, creates a comprehensive city‑design brand and will link local talent to global markets.

On August 5 2026, the Yokoyama Calligraphy Art Museum’s “Present – Zhu Zhennan Calligraphy Exhibition” received the German iF Design Award, often called the “Oscars of design.” The mayor presented the award, noting the museum is Taiwan’s first official calligraphy venue and that the exhibition’s use of manuscripts, lighting and mirrored displays highlighted Taoyuan’s role as a cultural gateway. The recognition, according to Zhang, underscores Taoyuan’s growing international cultural influence.