Feng Chia University has teamed up with Founder Aluminum, IKEA's leading overseas manufacturing collaborator, to pioneer an industry-centric initiative. Their collaborative effort revolves around the development of an exceptional educational program centered on the creation of Taiwan's "Museum of Furniture" (Mofit), situated within the Changbin Industrial Park. This endeavor has garnered acclaim from Lin Weng-Dou, General Manager of Founder Aluminum, who underscores the significance of interdisciplinary education in cultivating versatile skill sets among students.
Founder Aluminum Co., Ltd., renowned as IKEA's primary global manufacturer of aluminum furniture, conceived the idea of establishing a furniture museum to curate iconic furniture pieces from across the globe. Their vision is to transform design aesthetics into a tangible, real-life experience, transcending the confines of a mere conceptual domain. The ultimate goal is to offer a multifaceted visitor experience encompassing elements of promotion, interaction, sharing, and sustainable management, all of which hinge upon innovative spatial and exhibit planning—topics thoroughly explored within the collaborative course.
The program brought together 25 students from diverse academic backgrounds, including the Colleges of Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering, Business, Architecture and Urban Planning, Construction, and Information and Electrical Engineering. The instructional faculty was equally diverse, featuring luminaries such as Dr. Wang Sung-Shan, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Chiu Shih-Kuan from the Department of International Business, Professor Liu Wei-Guang from the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and Professor Guo Yang-Yi from Tunghai University.
The curriculum encompassed a wide array of subjects, spanning museum introduction, user profiling, museum operations and management, architectural design concepts, business models, spatial scenarios, presentation techniques, and more. In addition to classroom instruction, Founder Aluminum generously facilitated site visits and provided invaluable feedback throughout the course. Distinguished guest speakers, including renowned architect Liao Chong-Sheng and Pan Kuan-Cheng, Operations Manager at Fantex Micro-Culture, enriched the learning experience.
General Manager Lin Weng-Dou lauded the interdisciplinary course, stating, "Our partnership with Feng Chia University has profoundly enriched our company. While students initially conceived imaginative ideas during brainstorming, with faculty guidance, their final projects exceeded our expectations." After multiple rounds of brainstorming, reviews, and refinements, students crafted five comprehensive models, each embodying distinct concepts like "Start from Touch," "Before and After the Chair," "Sharing Interaction," "Designer's Cradle and Industry's Joints," and "Pulse of the Chair." These works will be showcased at an upcoming academic forum.
The College of Interdisciplinary Studies remains committed to fostering industry-relevant education. In the 107th academic year, they will collaborate with Far Eastern Group to embark on an industrial design project commemorating the company's 70th anniversary. This undertaking seeks to convey the company's mission and values, delve into its rich history, and introduce its diverse product lines and services. Incorporating Augmented Reality (AR) technology, the project will enable readers to access related videos and VR content, enhancing the interactive reading experience. Through innovative educational approaches like this, the College of Interdisciplinary Studies aims to nurture future talent vital to various industries, as it continues to collaborate closely with industry partners.