The Creative Digital Lab Project:
Expanding the future of digital creativity in Southeast Asia
FabCafe Bangkok and FabCafe Taipei empower the future of the creative industry sector in partnership with UNESCO
Background
The potential of the digital sector: creating millions of jobs and cultural innovations in Asia
According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a 20% expansion in the digital sector in Asia could result in the creation of more than 300 million new jobs over a span of 5 years. 1
In countries like Thailand, Viet Nam, Singapore or Taiwan, the intersection of their strong creative sectors with augmented reality and metaverse-related innovation is opening up new marketplaces and business opportunities while increasing access to local arts and heritage, information, and infrastructure. This is supported by the region’s strong exports of creative goods, favorable demographics, a substantial supply chain market share, and growing influence on socio-cultural trends, supported by strong awareness and enthusiasm among its populations.
Thailand’s vibrant creative sector stands out in Asia. It contributed 1.1 trillion baht accounting for 6.8% of its GDP in 20212, and augmented reality offers a new platform to capitalize on the nation’s creative, entrepreneurial, and technological talents.
In Viet Nam, the digital economy’s contribution to GDP has continued to rise, from 11.91% in 2021 to 15% in the first half of 2023. The government is striving to grow up to 30% by 20303, aiming to transition from low-tech manufacturing to a service-oriented economy.
Both countries are recognizing the potential of extended reality technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) as part of this transformative journey.
The youthful creative workforce in these countries can leverage their knowledge and skills to catalyze advancements in the digital sector, driving a transformative “leapfrog” effect in their respective countries. Establishing effective upskill and learning programs, along with accessible software and development tools, are key drivers of this shift.
Frontier technologies and leapfrogging
Discussions of the developmental dimension of frontier technologies, particularly digital technologies, often highlight the possibility of “leapfrogging”, the concept of “bypassing intermediate stages of technology through which countries have historically passed during the development process”.
UNCTAD Policy brief no. 71, 2018.
- Asian Regional Integration Center, Asian Economic Integration Report, 2021.
- Thailand Creative Economy Agency, Creative Information Center database.
- Viet Nam Economy, “Digital economy to contribute 30% of GDP by 2030”.
Fostering innovation in the Creative Industries through digital immersive technology
To support the digital transformation of Asia’s creative sector, UNESCO partnered with FabCafe Bangkok, FabCafe Taipei, and Thailand’s Office of Creative Economy Promotion, to organize a pioneering program with three main goals:
- Elevate digital literacy, reduce technological barriers, and equip young creators with new skill sets.
- Safeguard local culture and heritage, enhancing the sustainability and appeal of local businesses through the application of augmented reality.
- Ultimately facilitate job creation and income generation through practical experience while fostering the development of businesses within the creative economy sector.
The project was led by FabCafe Bangkok and FabCafe Taipei’s founders, who have extensive experience in the fields of XR education and start-up support.
Kalaya Kovidvisith（FabCafe Bangkok Co-founder）
Kalaya Kovidvisith is Co-founder of FabCafe Bangkok and Managing Director of FABLAB Thailand. She holds Master degree in Design and Computation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her research interests focus on how digital fabrication and biotechnology reinforce the changing relationship in industry and create the new business model for the next design generation. Kalaya is Global Entrepreneur Summit Delegate of 2015 and Asia Pacific Weeks Berlin 2016.
Tim Wong（FabCafe Taipei / Loftwork Taiwan co-founder）
Tim was born in Hong Kong and lived in the US for 17 years. He relocated to Taiwan in 2008, because he believes Taiwan has the good opportunity to create a creative platform that cultivates innovative ideas and projects with creative talents from different background.
Before co-founding FabCafe Taipei in 2013 and Loftwork Taiwan in 2014, He has been an urban design practitioner for 7 years and worked on urban design projects across the US, Middle East, and various Asian cities. He graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Design with dual Master degrees in Architecture and Urban Design.
The Creative Digital Lab
A three-layered approach for effective learning: classes, hackathons, and an incubation program
The FabCafe Bangkok and FabCafe Taipei teams joined forces with strategic partners from various regions and countries, including the Thailand Creative & Design Center and FabLab Saigon, to create a comprehensive program. The initiative was framed within the well-established NEWVIEW project, and bolstered by additional support from STYLY software.
NEWVIEW was launched in 2018 as a worldwide, simultaneously occurring, experiential project/community where people who embody modern culture such as fashion, music, film, graphics and etc., come together to develop and spread the design of experience and creative experience in a three-dimensional space.
NEWVIEW website: https://newview.design/en/
STYLY provides an intuitive tool for creating VR, AR, and MR content easily using a web browser. The software is compatible with Mac and Windows and can be operated on standard PCs. Furthermore, STYLY is compatible with 3D software and with services like YouTube and SoundCloud, which enables users to import different digital media to build a unique 3D environment and experience.
STYLY GALLERY : https://gallery.styly.cc/
Program phases
1. Immersive Technology Online Classes
A 6-week course led by renowned instructors at the forefront of the field that garnered significant interest, with 300 participants from Mekong countries, including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
2. Creative Digital Hackathons
Following the online classes, 119 participants were selected to join two-day hackathons held in Bangkok and Khon Khaen (Thailand), as well as Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam). The hackathons served as a platform for collaboration and innovation among creative professionals and resulted in 25 project proposals. Out of these, 3 winning projects were chosen for further development in the incubation program, and 6 ‘runner-up’ projects were paired with potential donors and sponsors.
3. Creative Digital Incubation Program
Spanning 9 weeks, the incubation program supported hackathon winners in refining their projects, developing business models, and testing the market. The program included technical classes, project ideation and execution, and business discussions. Each project was showcased in both real and virtual venues to receive direct feedback from audiences, effectively exploring feasibility, challenges, and potential partners and sponsors.
Winning projects
MUSIC TRUCK XR
Live music truck is a distinctive style of Thai music culture featuring music performances on elaborately decorated trucks. The MUSIC TRUCK XR project uses extended reality technology to cultivate novel connections between musicians, their enthusiasts, and concert attendees, while also preserving this unique cultural phenomenon.
MUSIC TRUCK XR – Winners’ names: PT MUSIC, Saknarin Sawangsai, Prachaya Thepsakul Wacharapong Jantarath.
TCDC Khonkaen: Jintana Choopromwong, Pimpamart Kongpien, Pattanachai Limthaisong, Atitaya Pimpakam, Chotiwan Nambuppha.
THAI GHOST COMIC XR
THAI GHOST COMIC XR is an experimental business prototype that takes advantage of
extended reality technologies to transform the all-time popular “one-baht Thai ghost comics” scene into an immersive experience. During its test, it successfully reached new audiences and revitalized the local community by attracting tourism and expanding local business possibilities.
THAI GHOST COMIC XR – Winners’ names: Arttakrit Jeenmahant, Songsak Supromphunt, Sanit Sudsakorn, Somruthai Ruangtrakul, Warut Boonyakajorn.
Endangered Species Viet Nam
The Endangered Species Viet Nam project presents an XR donation platform that bridges 3D model artists and non-profits focused on wildlife to produce artwork highlighting endangered species. These artworks, displayed using augmented reality geolocation technology, aim to enhance specific locations and attract donations that benefit the involved stakeholders.
Endangered Species Viet Nam – Winners’ names: Dang Thi Minh Hang, Huynh Duc Toan.
Technology supported by: SEAP.
Over three months, the Creative Digital Lab Project harnessed tailored learning, focused ideation, and efficient prototyping to empower youth and creative professionals in the digital realm. With ongoing testing and validation, the program will further seek to advance cultural sectors and embrace digital technology in diverse expressions across Southeast Asian countries.
FabCafe eagerly anticipates the future of these projects!
What can we do for you?
Contact us if you are interested in…
- Practical applications of extended reality technology in the creative industries sector.
- Educational and upskill programs that capture the latest business and technology trends.
- Discovering effective intersections of art, technology, and science to enhance local industries and preserve heritage.
Project outline
- Project client: UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok.
- Project time: March to 20 October 2023.
- Project funding: UNESCO / Korea Funds-in-Trust (KFIT).
- Project Members:
FabCafe Bangkok. Project director: Kalaya Kovidvisith (FabCafe Bangkok founder). Assistants: Chonticha Aroonroongkaokai, Chanidapa Savangvarorose.
FabCafe Taipei. Project support: Tim Wong (FabCafe Taipei and Loftwork Taipei founder). Assistants: Paul Yeh. - Project Partners: the Creative Economy Agency of Thailand (CEA) and the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC).
Project members
Kalaya Kovidvisith（FabCafe Bangkok Co-founder）
Kalaya Kovidvisith is Co-founder of FabCafe Bangkok and Managing Director of FABLAB Thailand. She holds Master degree in Design and Computation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her research interests focus on how digital fabrication and biotechnology reinforce the changing relationship in industry and create the new business model for the next design generation. Kalaya is Global Entrepreneur Summit Delegate of 2015 and Asia Pacific Weeks Berlin 2016.
Chonticha Aroonroongkaokai（Creative Technologist, FabCafe Bangkok）
Chonticha pursued her undergraduate degree in Architecture at Thammasat University, where her focus and interest revolved around design and technology, particularly in the realm of robotics. Her past endeavors featured her significant role in creating Extended Reality experiences for UNESCO’s NEWVIEW XR FieldLAB and Boost Play Measure project.
Chanidapa Savangvarorose（Design Researcher and Project Manager, FabCafe Bangkok）
Chanidapa completed her undergraduate studies in Industrial Design at Chulalongkorn University. She achieved recognition for her outstanding research and design project in partnership with Chula Hospital, with a specific focus on rehabilitation, to receive the gold medal and Special Award from The 7th World Invention Innovation Contest, Korea Invention Academy (KIA). She holds the position of Head Researcher for the Extended Reality market, with a specific focus on the Mekong region for UNESCO project, and currently leads a research team dedicated to the exploration of sustainable technology solutions.
Tim Wong（FabCafe Taipei / Loftwork Taiwan co-founder）
Tim was born in Hong Kong and lived in the US for 17 years. He relocated to Taiwan in 2008, because he believes Taiwan has the good opportunity to create a creative platform that cultivates innovative ideas and projects with creative talents from different background.
Before co-founding FabCafe Taipei in 2013 and Loftwork Taiwan in 2014, He has been an urban design practitioner for 7 years and worked on urban design projects across the US, Middle East, and various Asian cities. He graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Design with dual Master degrees in Architecture and Urban Design.
Paul Yeh（FabCafe Taipei Creative Director）
Paul was a student at the Graduate School of Industrial Design. During the school days, he spent time in a factory environment, designing and building interesting objects by hand, using actual hand tools and machines. As a result, Paul has gained a deep understanding of materials, tools, mechanisms, processes… which can actually make things come to life.
As a Creative Director at FabCafe Taipei, Paul put his two main skills of building things with digital fabrication equipment and event planning and hosting into projects that help clients to think and realize their ideas. Events are often used to get participants to think and act on new ideas.
In addition, if you want to trap Paul, a large amount of dark chocolate or interpretive signs of historical monuments usually works well.
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