Objective

This project aims to create a culturally significant product experience by blending traditional Chinese herbal incense with local narratives. Our goal is to foster an emotional connection between individuals and their cultural heritage through scent, while also exploring innovative applications of herbal fragrances in daily life.

Deliverables

The project provides a multi-sensory experience centered around herbs. It includes incense products and unique food. Through an exhibition, participants can fully immerse their senses of smell, taste, and sight, allowing them to connect with the cultural essence of Xinhua and rediscover the value of traditional herbs.

Challenges

The challenge is maintaining cultural values with modern design elements to attract contemporary consumers. Furthermore, the acceptance of herbal incense in the market is still developing, requiring careful selection of scents to ensure they harmonize well within living spaces.

Outcome & Impact

This project effectively combines storytelling with product innovation, allowing individuals to rediscover and value the unique cultural identity of Xinhua through scent. The exhibition not only elevates the design value of traditional industries but also expands the contemporary application of herbal incense, transforming it from a traditional remedy into a lifestyle product with significant market potential.

Background

Xinhua District in Tainan is a town rich in history and heritage. However, due to population migration and the decline of traditional industries, its former vibrancy has diminished. This project aims to revitalize Xinhua's historic area through design-oriented initiatives, enhancing community engagement and impact while promoting cultural and industrial renewal.

Unlike previous innovations that were imposed from external sources, this initiative is rooted in the narratives of Xinhua. Designers from Xinhua and various regions in Taiwan contribute their skills and experiences offering fresh insights and development opportunities for the town. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the project facilitates a dialogue between historical context and modern design, establishing a business that promotes cultural and industrial growth while addressing contemporary needs.

Participating Designers

Research

Xinhua's cultural and traditional industries are experiencing a decline, leading to a slowdown in the economy. At the same time, businesses that lack a connection to Xinhua's historical and cultural heritage are increasingly populating the historic area, which is eroding its unique identity. As a result, the region is gradually losing its original cultural charm and distinctiveness, becoming more like other tourist destinations.

User Research

During our research, we discovered its stunning natural scenery as the “mountainous region of Tainan”, also faces a widespread problem, mosquitoes. This issue negatively impacts the tourist experience and hurts Xinhua's business, resulting in reduced customer loyalty and spending.

To tackle these problems, they should seek transformation opportunities, converting problems into prospects. By creating innovative products and services, they can not only address the mosquito issue but also enhance the unique features of Xinhua, ultimately boosting the economy.

User Pain Points

Lack of uniqueness, hard to retain customers

Mosquito problem, declining visitors

Innovation needed, economic boost

Based on the pain points, We created persona to ensure our design direction.

Goal & Hypothesis

Brainstorm with mentor and team members to discuss project goals, challenges, constraints, and other key aspects to ensure that everyone is aligned on the objectives.

Goal

Revitalizing the Traditional Industries of Xinhua

Hypothesis

We aim to raise public awareness of historical figures from Xinhua and revitalize traditional industry sectors through a carefully designed experiential approach.

Challenges

Blending Incense with Historical Figures

The challenge lies in blending incense with historical narratives to create an immersive experience.

Consumer Acceptance of New Food

Creating food brings uncertainties regarding their acceptance by consumers and the market.

Constraints

Financial and Resource Constraints

Product development, experience design, and promotion necessitate adequate financial and technical support. A limited budget can impact both the scale and quality of the project.

Time Limitations

Team members from various industries must balance their academic and professional responsibilities, which complicates the coordination of discussions and implementation.

MVP

Offer participants an immersive cultural and historical experience of Xinhua while simultaneously generating business opportunities.

Our team is dedicated to design a product experience that highlights herbs and notable historical figures from Xinhua, including sachets and food. By merging culture with innovation, we seek to create new development opportunities for Xinhua.

Design Concept

Logo Vision

• Humanity: Inspired by the unique aromas of Xinhua, we connect with the essence of its historical figures. By utilizing herbs, we guide individuals to follow the scent and rediscover their heritage.
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• Land – Rooted in the vast mountains and forests, we incorporate misty patterns as a design element that symbolizes the people of Xinhua inhaling and sharing the essence of the land.

Exhibition Features

循鄉-名人提香
Reuse Sachets

The sachet can be returned to the Xinhua Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) store for refilling. Its contents can be utilized as plant fertilizer.

尋香-寄情調香
TCM Blending DIY

Incorporating the postcard concept, it can be used for personal purposes or sent to others after being blended.

循香-本草米香
TCM Crispy Rice

Combining the rich heritage of Xinhua's rice shop, we have created unique TCM crispy rice, which are delicious and healthy.

Design Details

Reuse Sachets

The design symbolizes the mountains, representing Xinhua's rich natural landscape and historical figures. Each small sachet inside embodies a historical figure, inviting people to explore history through their unique scents.

We have selected three historical figures and created unique scent style for each of them.

a. Lian Dao: A man who steadfast and respectable doer.
b. Ou Wei: A man who daring dreamer and legendary filmmaker.
c. Yang Kui: A man who resilient literary warrior and never wavered.

Scent Style: Grounded & Woody
Scent Style: Bright & Fruit
Scent Style: Calming & Herbal

Production Process

TCM Blending DIY

By combining Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with heartfelt blessings, we have created a postcard that conveys both the message and the symbolic significance of the herbs. When the recipient receives the fragrance strip, they not only enjoy its soothing aroma but also feel the sender’s warm wishes. The materials used are recyclable paper and biodegradable rice paper, ensuring sustainability and fostering a meaningful connection.
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We have selected three distinct TCM herbs, each symbolizing a unique significance.

a. Clove (丁香 )

[For Love & Marriage]
Auspicious Blessings, Everlasting Bonds Known as the "ancient aromatic candy," clove possesses a sweet and inviting fragrance. Traditionally, it has been used during significant occasions to attract good fortune and strengthen relationships.

b. Sanderswood (香附 )

[For Health] – Good Health and Longevity. Its name sounds like "happiness" in Chinese, symbolizing well-being and longevity. It embodies the wish for a healthy body, a long life, and the enjoyment of blessings and joy.

c. Angelica (當歸 )

[For Peace & Safe Return] – Safety in Travel
In ancient societies, husbands often left home in search of fame and success, while their wives were unable to accompany them. The wives remained at home, quietly longing for their husband's return.

TCM Crispy Rice

We aim to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into our daily lives. To accomplish this, we have partnered with a third-generation TCM shop to meticulously create flavors that perfectly complement crispy rice, resulting in a harmonious fusion of traditional Chinese medicine and this cherished snack.
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The rice is sourced from a well-established rice shop. With the addition of modern, convenient packaging and a new visual design, we aim to revive the younger generation's fondness and appreciation for rice-based dishes, furthering our commitment to preserving and sharing this culinary tradition.

Reflection

Takeaways

This experience was truly invaluable. Not only did I have the opportunity to participate in the 5% Design Action project, but I also had the chance to collaborate with various designers. Every discussion and exchange throughout the process was exceptionally insightful.

From our initial visit to Xinhua, we dedicated a significant amount of time to understanding the local culture. However, due to the busy schedules of our team members and mentors, finding time for discussions proved to be quite challenging. Despite these obstacles, we were very pleased with the final design outcome, and the visitors who came to experience it provided us with highly positive feedback. Unsurprisingly, what left the deepest impression was the food.

We successfully integrated traditional Chinese medicine into daily life, infusing it with a renewed sense of vitality. Many people even inquired whether our creation was available for purchase. I believe that this is the most rewarding and joyful aspect of our success!