Fresh Taiwan - New Transformation: Showcase Top Taiwanese Brands at Licensing Expo

LAS VEGAS, June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Most people's first impression of "Made in Taiwan" is usually related to computer hardware, which is understandable since many of the electronic products that we use everyday actually did originate from this island nation.  However, let it be known that there's also a strong and growing community of designers and artists among the younger generation.  As this movement is rapidly taking shape, the Ministry of Culture and Taiwan Design Center (TDC) is spearheading this new transformation.

At this year's Licensing Expo Las Vegas (6/17 to 6/19), the Ministry of Culture will be sending ten delegate exhibitors who have stirred interest not only in Taiwan but also in all of Asia.  As one of the largest licensing trade shows in the world, with over 400 exhibitors representing more than 5,000 brands, the Licensing Expo Las Vegas will be a great platform to showcase these talented artists to the world.

With the assistance of Mr. Steven Ekstract, Group Publisher of License! Global Magazine, who served one of the judges for the selected Taiwan exhibitors, 10 high-potential Taiwan brands have been chosen to present their cover illustrations, art, and animation to license. They include Haniboi Ltd., Heryin Books, Inc., Ken-Ya International Clothes Development Co. Ltd., Fevolution Innovation Inc., STUDIO ILYA ANIMATION, Intl., CAMPOBAG, DNAXCAT Co., Ltd., iNEXT Creator Inc., WIND DESIGN Co.,Ltd., and Mori Shu Creativity Co., Ltd.

The 10 selected companies all focus on conveying cultural concepts through creative designs. Taiwanese artists and designers turn their life philosophies and aesthetic viewpoints into a variety of games, videos, and graphic designs, creating radiant and powerful imagery, as well as distinct and unique characters. Haniboi, for example, produced the UPUP Card Image Generator, which has proven immensely popular on Facebook. Many people use the generator to create images for their status updates and cover photos. Heryin Books publishes excellent children's picture books, music and animations for readers of all ages. "The Mimi Family" series has reached all corners of the world. Ken-Ya International focuses on its "Song Song Meow" brand, which was created by the artist Cheng-An Wu. Song Song Meow is a heartwarming cartoon character, and the graphic designs come with snippets of text. The character radiates warmth and humor. Fevolution Innovation designs original characters with instant appeal and broad licensing potential. "Eggo to Go" and "RODA" are some of the characters that can be integrated easily into multiple platforms, such as online games, cartoons, animation e-books, and publications. Studio iLYA have created an animated show featuring characters made from towels, which is aimed at pre-school-age children. The cute styles and entertaining dialog are invaluable for the education of children. CAMPOBAG was Taiwan's first urban creative market, and provides an unofficial platform for young artists to develop their creative brands. One of their artists is "Mickeyman", who is not a typical comic artist. His works are related to traveling and his design works often tell stories. DNAXCAT started out with original cat characters, and developed many related products and stationery, toys, dolls and games and animation. DNAXCAT plays an important role among youth in Taiwan. iNext creator, a former animation studio specializing in character design and animation production, has shifted its core business from animation production to the licensing of its original character "OBtuz". The rabbit-looking OBtuz is the naughty kid in everyone's heart, and refuses to become a boring grownup, instead he wants to stay true to himself. WIND DESIGN specializes in bringing stories into design via innovative, creative designs and the interpretation of origins. In 2007 it developed the brand "Win Brothers", illustrating two brothers: the elder brother is picky about food and the younger is always greedy, and is always singing, dancing and playing energetically. Mori Shu Creativity was established in 2013 to create original branded designs for illustrations and products. Creating cute characters such as "Bubble Sheep—Hide and Seek Series" and "Mochi Rabbit—Tea Time Dessert Series", the designs combine the artist's favorite desserts and cuddly rabbits. "Dumpling Cat in Japanese Style" features a cat-like cartoon character with a round face, resembling the shape of a Chinese steamed dumpling. "Mori Mori Forest" is a series that features tame and cute animals in the Mori Shu forest.

You are cordially invited to the "FRESH TAIWAN Pavilion" display at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, from June 17 to 19 at booth #P181. There, you shall see Taiwan's explosive creative energy, and find treasures beyond reckoning.

Fresh Taiwan - New Transformation!!

Website:  ccimarketing.org.tw,  www.tdc.org.tw,  www.boco.com.tw

SOURCE Ministry of Culture of Taiwan and Taiwan Design Center