Results 1. Representative image in Kaohsiung

In order to explore the representative image in Kaohsiung, this research design a questionnaire with enclosed type, and then investigate representative landscapes near the department stores including Han-Shin, Shin-Kong Mitsukoshi, Pacific SOGO, Far Eastern, TALEE'S, President department stores and so on. A total of 100 residents living in Kaohsiung over 10 years participated in this investigation, 48 males and 52 females, with ages ranging from 18 to 52 (mean=34.5, SD=6.3), and possessed quite familiar with landscape and cultural transition in Kaohsiung. Results

show that the representative landscapes of Kaohsiung in sequence mainly included Love River, Shi-Hzuwan Bay, Tuntex Sky Tower, Mt. Shoushan, Dream Mall, Urban Spotlight, Lotus Pond, Tower of Light and so on.

3.2. Extraction of the cultural image for the representative landscape

This study extracts the characteristic (i.e. cultural image) of the representative landscapes and pondered the creative way to match the suitable daily necessities by way of focus group method.

Six product designers are invited to participate in the focus group. One of the members in the focus group is elected as the chairman. In this study, the relationship between cultural elements and products is discussed by the focus group. Considering the development time, this study only aims at the first five representative landscapes to explore and design. In other words, the cultural images of Love River, Shi-Hzuwan Bay, Tuntex Sky Tower, Mt. Shoushan, and Dream Mall are discussed and designed for the Kaohsiung image in this study.

3.3. Idea development and design of the culture creativity

In the stage of the concept development, the author instruct the students who take the curriculum ”Cultural Creativity Product Design” to propose the idea combining the cultural image of Kaohsiung with life products.

3.3.1. The wave-shaped container for the image of Lover River

According to the image of running water and tourism boat in Lover River, the wave-shaped container (Figure 5) is designed to match with the image of the Love River. The wave-shaped container is used to leave with candies or biscuits on a small side table in the living room.

Figure 5. The wave-shaped container designed by the image of the Lover River

3.3.2. The chopsticks holder and paperweight for the image of Shi-Hzuwan Bay

The most famous image for the Shi-Hzuwan Bay is the breakwater. In accordance with the outward appearance of the breakwater, the chopsticks holder and paperweight (Figure 6) are designed to match with the image of the Shi-Hzuwan Bay.

Figure 6. The chopsticks holder (left) and paperweight (right) designed by the image of the Shi-Hzuwan Bay

3.3.3. The small night light and candlestick by the image of Tuntex Sky Tower

The small night light and candlestick are designed by the image of Tuntex Sky Tower. With regard to the small night light, the lamp holder design refers to the existing product based on specialized technology consideration, the traditional lamp holder is considered as this case.

Furthermore, based on the consideration of form, the small night light and candlestick matched with the outward appearance of the Tuntex Sky Tower is designed as Figure 7.

Figure 7. The small night light (left) and candlestick (right) designed by the image of the Tuntex Sky Tower

3.3.4. The monkey-shaped flask opener for the image of Mt. Shoushan

The most profound impression for the Mt. Shoushan is rhesus monkeys. In accordance with the characteristic of the rhesus monkey, the monkey-shaped flask opener (Figure 8) is designed to match with the image of the Mt. Shoushan.

Figure 8. The monkey-shaped flask opener designed by the image of the Mt. Shoushan

3.3.5. The adhesive tape holder and memento for the image of Dream Mall

The most profound impression for the Dream Mall is whale-shaped building and the ferris wheel. According to the characteristic of the whale-shaped building and the ferris wheel, the adhesive tape holder (Figure 9) is designed to match with the image of the Dream Mall. The circular adhesive tape on the adhesive tape holder symbolizes rotation of the ferris wheel. Furthermore, the memento designed in accordance with the appearance of the ferris wheel can be represented the image of the Dream Mall.

Figure 9. The adhesive tape holder (left) and memento (right) designed by the image of the Dream Mall

4. Conclusion

This study takes Kaohsiung image as an example to explore cultural elements and to develop cultural creativity products. Results of the questionnaire show that the representative landscapes of Kaohsiung mainly included Love River, Shi-Hzuwan Bay, Tuntex Sky Tower, Mt. Shoushan, Dream Mall, Urban Spotlight, Lotus Pond, Tower of Light and so on. The cultural elements are extracted by focus group method. Afterwards, the 3D CAD software is adopted to construct 3D model of the representative landscape and the rapid prototype system (Dimension SST 768) is used to assist in make the realistic 3D mockup. The development model of this study can be extended to develop related cultural creativity products for other locality in Taiwan. The research results also provide valuable references for academic circles and related industrial field.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the National Science Council of the Republic of China for financially supporting this research under Contract No. NSC 97-2410-H-151-010 and NSC 98-2410-H-151 -020. Additionally, the author also thanks the students (Xiang-Leng Lui, Yuan-Hao Zheng, Jun-Yao Ke, Pei-Yuan Chen and Chi-Han Zheng) who take the curriculum ”Cultural Creativity Product Design” to assist in proposing creative ideas and constructing the 3D models.

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