Exclusive Interview》Shedding the 'Political Officer' Burden! Red Dot Designer and Father of Three, Chang Yi-Li, Resigns to Run in Zuoying-Nanzi: Using Political Design to Solve Daily Life Pain Points

Chang Yi-Li, an industrial designer who won Germany’s Red Dot Design Award and served as a legislative assistant before being appointed by Chen Chi-Mai as Kaohsiung’s youngest Youth Affairs Director, appears to have a charmed life. Yet behind this trajectory lies a relentless series of battles defined by resilience. Now, he has chosen to resign from his stable and prestigious position to run as a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate in the fiercely competitive city council election for the Zuoying and Nanzi districts of Kaohsiung.

Observers question why he would abandon a promising administrative career under Mayor Chen’s team to pursue the more difficult path of an elected representative. Chang responds firmly: "A political officer is merely an executor. To truly transform the fundamental problems of a city, you must obtain democratic authorization and public mandate!"

From Industrial Designer to Political Visionary: Realizing That 'Politics' Shapes All Industries

"The logic of industrial design is to 'identify problems and solve them'—redesigning products to be more ergonomic and user-friendly," recalls Chang. After earning a master’s degree in industrial design from Tatung University and winning the Red Dot Award, he was poised to follow a conventional design career. However, he was invited by former legislator Chao Tien-lin, who had watched him grow up, to intern at the Legislative Yuan.

"While doing odd jobs and making ends meet in Congress, I suddenly realized something: design can only improve one product, but 'politics' influences every industry and shapes the lives of all people in Taiwan!" This revelation led him to proactively apply for a full-time legislative policy assistant role after military service, where he rigorously developed skills in diplomacy, press releases, media communication, and policy drafting.

The 'Triple Defeat' That Forged a Resilient Spirit: Joining the Chen Chi-Mai Team and Transforming the Youth Bureau

Chang’s political journey was far from smooth. Between 2017 and 2018, he returned to Kaohsiung to contest the DPP primary for the Sanmin District council seat. Despite his strong grassroots campaign and impressive performance, he ultimately lost. He then experienced further defeats in Chao Tien-lin’s mayoral primary and Chen Chi-Mai’s Kaohsiung mayoral campaign. "I personally went through a 'three-time losing streak.' It was devastating—I had to crawl back up from rock bottom."

Yet it was precisely his creativity and drive during the primary that caught Chen Chi-Mai’s attention, leading to his recruitment into the team. After Chen’s successful by-election, Chang was appointed Director of the Youth Bureau, serving nearly five years as a political officer.

In response to past criticisms from KMT councilors, Chang counters with tangible achievements:

- Drastic reduction in youth unemployment: Kaohsiung’s youth unemployment rate, once as high as 13.9% (the sixth highest in Taiwan), was reduced to 8.9% (the sixth lowest) through targeted Youth Bureau policies.

- Taiwan’s first 'Billion-Dollar Youth Entrepreneurship City': By supplementing the central government’s NT$35 billion youth startup loan program with interest subsidies of NT$1.01 million to NT$3 million, Kaohsiung topped the nation in youth startup loan disbursements.

- Design excellence showcased: As lead organizer of the Taiwan Design Expo in Kaohsiung, Chang independently curated dual exhibition spaces exceeding 800 ping in the Penglai Harbor area, winning multiple international awards.

In 2022, as Youth Affairs Director, Chang broke conventions by personally exhibiting at the Taiwan Design Expo, bringing creative energy into the venue and demonstrating his cross-disciplinary design expertise. (Photo: Hsu Ping-Wen)

Confronting Zuoying-Nanzi’s Core Challenges: Traffic and Childcare Can No Longer Wait

On why he chose the highly competitive Zuoying-Nanzi district, Chang directly identifies the area’s most pressing crisis: "Industrial transformation is underway, but living infrastructure and transportation are on the verge of collapse!"

Chang analyzes that with TSMC’s arrival and the transformation of CPC’s refinery, Nanzi’s population has rapidly grown, now surpassing Zuoying. However, this influx of residents and tech talent brings urgent needs: "traffic relief" and "family-friendly childcare environments."

"I’m a father of three (a 'three-treasure dad') and personally experience the dual pressures of parenting and long-term care for my parents, who are in their 70s." Chang points out that during his tenure at the Youth Bureau, jurisdictional limits prevented him from addressing childcare and long-term care policies—precisely the deepest pain points for young families. "A councilor isn’t just someone who sits and reviews budgets. You must understand how government operates to effectively link city resources and push for progress!"

Regarding his resignation to run, Chen Chi-Mai’s response was characteristically blunt: "If you’re going to run, resign quickly. Don’t hold onto your post while being distracted!"

"I’m ready!" Bringing Municipal Experience to the Electoral Battlefield

From Red Dot designer to political 'weed' who survived three defeats, to a Youth Bureau director with proven results, Chang emphasizes his dual strengths: deep understanding of municipal operations and a designer’s problem-solving DNA.

"Zuoying-Nanzi doesn’t need flashy slogans. It needs a councilor who understands administration, understands design, dares to act, and can genuinely solve the crises in transportation and childcare." With sharp eyes, Chang declares he is fully prepared for the year-end city council election, ready to bring a new urban upgrade to Zuoying and Nanzi through solid municipal experience.

Shedding the burden of a political officer, stepping into the real daily life of Zuoying-Nanzi! Council candidate Chang Yi-Li (left) stands on the street during garbage truck collection hours, warmly greeting residents and handing out campaign materials, demonstrating strong approachability and a genuine commitment to listening to public opinion. (Photo: Hsu Ping-Wen)