GOOD DESIGN AWARD

Outline of GOOD DESIGN AWARD winners

2015｜Members Profile

Shunsuke Aoki

Robotics Engineer | CEO, Yukai Engineering Inc.

  • Unit06: Transportation equipments and facilities

While studying at the University of Tokyo, founded teamLab Inc. where he assumed the post of CTO. After serving as CTO at pixiv Inc., he founded the robotics venture company, Yukai Engineering Inc. Has developed many IoT products including the social robot, "Coconatch," and the physical computing toolkit, "konashi." The communication robot he developed, "BOCCO," that brings your loved ones closer, was released in 2014.

Kazuhiro Aoyama

Doctor of Engineering | Professor, Department of Systems Innovation, University of Tokyo

  • Unit13: Applications, system and service for business

A Professor at the University of Tokyo, Department of Systems Innovation. He was inspired by the culture of manufacturing in his home town, Toyota City, Aichi. He also experienced the development of a system for design and production support of ships through collaboration between the university and industry. Utilizing these experiences, he engages in design in the manufacturing industry, decision-making relating to production, and management research. Through specific themes such as designing a line of products, discovery of the trade-off points, and management of changes in customer requests, he is trying to develop new system design and management methods in the System of Systems (SoS) era.

Taro Igarashi

Architectural Critic | Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University

  • Unit10: Architecture for industry and public, construction method, interior | Topical Issue Directors

Artistic Director of international exhibition"AICHI TRIENNALE 2013", Commissioner of Japanese pavilion VENICE ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE 2008, Supervisor of touring exhibition "LEGENDARY HOUSES IN POSTWAR JAPAN" 2014-2015, Guest Curator of touring exhibition "ARCHITECTURE SINCE 3.11", Minister of Education Award for Arts ,Author of "What I thought during walk around disaster area","Essays on Contemporary architects"

Hisae Igarashi

Interior Designer | President, Igarashi Design Studio

  • Unit05: Furniture, house fixtures | Uniit Leader

Born in Tokyo. Graduated from the Interior and Housing Research Department, Kuwasawa Design School. Worked for Kuramata Design Office from 1986 to 1991. Established Igarashi Design Studio in 1993. With a focus on spatial design, engaged in a wide range of design work, including product development projects for furniture, interior decorating and children's play equipment. Professor at the Department of Scenography, Display and Fashion Design, Musashino Art University.

Hajime Ishikawa

Landscape Designer | Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University

  • Unit10: Architecture for industry and public, construction method, interior

Born in Kyoto in 1964. Graduated from the Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture. Worked for Kajima Corporation and Landscape Design, Inc. Currently Professor at Keio University. Registered landscape architect (RLA). Publications include "The Landscale Book: A Look at the Ground" (2012) and others. Winner of the AIJ Book Prize and the Kon Wajiro Award by the Japan Society of Lifology (Joint authorship: "Revisiting "Traditional Japanese Houses" by Kon Wajiro" 2012).

Nanako Ishido

Digital Ehon Artist | President, CANVAS / CEO, Digital ehon / Associate Professor at Keio University

  • Unit12: Applications, system and service for public | Topical Issue Directors

After graduating the School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo and conducting research as a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab, Ms.Ishido established NPO CANVAS, which promotes creative and expressive activities for children. She also serves as executive committee head for the annual "Workshop Collection"expo of creative workshops for children, which brings in crowds of 100,000 people over two days.
Ms. Ishido later founded Digital ehon, a company that develops picture book apps.
She is also a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Information and Communications Council and so on.
Her publications include "Switch of Children's Creativety – a practice of CANVAS as a secret base of play and learning"(Film Art, Inc.) and "A manifesto of Digital Education –the future of children playing and learning with smartphone"(KADOKAWA).

Yoshiaki Irobe

Graphic Designer | Art Director, Nippon Design Center

Born in Chiba in 1974. Earned a master's degree from Tokyo University of the Arts. Founded Irobe Design Institute, Nippon Design Center, Inc. Part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts. Major works include the Ichihara Lakeside Museum Visual Identity and Signage System, and the Ginza Navigation Tugs System. Has created a variety of design forms, including graphic design for the "Mark Rothko Exhibition" and "Liquitex Art Prize," and art direction for "Book - TAKEO PAPER SHOW 2011." Recipient of numerous domestic and international design awards, including SDA Awards, JAGDA Awards, Tokyo ADC Awards, D&AD Nomination Awards and One Show Awards.

Soichi Ueda

Creative Director | Director, Think the Earth

  • Unit14: Activities/solutions for public | Topical Issue Directors

Born in 1965. Graduated from the School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. After working at an advertising agency, he established SPACEPORT Inc. in 2000 and Think the Earth in 2001. Since then, he has kept working on creating opportunities to think about and take actions for the environment and society through communication. His main works include Earth Watch wn-1, the mobile application "live earth", publications titled One Hundred Years of Idiocy, Global Change in One Second, and Green Power Book – Renewable Energy Guide as well as a video for planetariums "A story of Biodiversity". A Visiting Professor and Lecturer at Tama Art University.

Takahiro Uchida

MD/Medical Device Incubator | Founder and CEO, JOMDD Inc.

  • Unit07: Equipments and facilities for medical, research and production | Topical Issue Directors

A skilled cardiologist with an M.S. degree from Harvard School of Public Health. Worked for Harvard Clinical Research Institute (Boston, MA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a Medical Officer/Reviewer. Also worked for Boston Scientific Corporation's Headquarters as a Medical Director, followed by independent consulting work for multiple medical device venture companies in the U.S. Silicon Valley. Currently, works for JOMDD, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan), a unique medical device incubator, as a Founder and CEO.

Maholo Uchida

Curator | Division Manager, Exhibition Development Division, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innobation (Miraikan)

  • Unit07: Equipments and facilities for medical, research and production

After having been involved in the field of fusing technology, art and design for domestic and international events, exhibitions and archives, she began her career at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in 2002. Her main interest is the promotion of projects involving the fusion of science, art and design. After pursuing research at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York under the Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists provided by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2005 and 2006, she assumed her current post at the Miraikan. Her main projects include the "Exploration of Time," "Love Stories," "Making of Tokyo Sky Tree," "The Sekai-Ichi" and "teamLab" exhibitions, as well as development of the "Geo-Cosmos." Earned master's degrees from the Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, and in Scenography from the Zurich University of the Arts.

Hisato Ogata

Design Engineer | Creative Director, takram design engineering

  • Unit07: Equipments and facilities for medical, research and production | Topical Issue Directors

With takram since 2012, Hisato is an award-winning design engineer whose multidisciplinary abilities span from hardware to software and from art to science. A recipient of the Good Design Award in 2004 and the iF Product Design Award in 2005, his work has most recently received acclaim at the Media Arts Festival held by the Japanese National Agency of Cultural Affairs in 2012.

Macky Kato

Ergonomics Researcher | Associate Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University

  • Unit08: Equipments and facilities for sales and public | Topical Issue Directors

Graduated Waseda University. MEng. Ph.D. Discipline is Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering. Primary researches are the reduction of workload and the improvement of safety in the everyday life. The present position is the Associate Professor at Waseda University, Faculty of Human Sciences.

Yoko Kawashima

Director | Trend PR Department Manager, ifs FUTURE LABORATORY

  • Unit03: Kitchen utensils, electric appliances

Graduated from the School of Commerce, Waseda University. After completing an MD (merchandising) course at Bunka Fashion College, Kawashima joined Itochu Fashion System Co., Ltd., where she developed her cross-industrial networks, edited report magazines, and planned and conducted seminars. She conducts various projects such as market research and consumer trend analysis for domestic and overseas companies. Publications include "Isetan People," "Matsushita's Design Strategy" and "Brand Design."

Katsuhiko Kushi

Product Designer | Department of Design, Professor, Graduate school of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology

  • Unit13: Applications, system and service for business

After working for NEC Design, Ltd., he started working at Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1999. Professor at the Department of Design, Graduate School of Science and Technology. Earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Product Design from Stanford University in 1992. Was in charge of research and development of information appliances and interaction design while at NEC. Special Technical Instructor at Kyoto Prefectural Technology Center for Small and Medium Enterprises. Councilor at Human Centered Design Organization. Currently engaged in the study of design methodology which integrates observation and creation. Ph.D.

Akihiro Kubota

Designer/Artist | Professor, Department of Information Design, Tama Art University

  • Unit12: Applications, system and service for public | Uniit Leader

Professor at Department of Information Design, Tama Art University. Received Ph.D. in Engineering from Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. Born in 1960. He is now developing a hybrid creative world which transcends and combines a variety of fields. His work includes the satellite art project ARTSAT.JP in which he successfully launched the world's first art satellite and deep space sculpture, Bio Art, and a sound performance using live coding and homemade instruments.

Jin Kuramoto

Product Designer | CEO : Representative Director, JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO Inc.

Born in 1976 in Awaji island Japan. He joined electric company in Tokyo as product designer.In 2008 he estab-lished JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO in Tokyo, where he works in a variety of design fields, for both international and domestic clients. A lot of winning like IF Design award, Good Design award etc.

Akiyo Kobayashi

Design Theory Researcher | Professor, Department of Science of Design, Musashino Art University

  • Unit07: Equipments and facilities for medical, research and production | Uniit Leader

Joint authorship/translations include "The Semantic Turn: A New Foundation of Design" (2009), "Product Design" (2009), and "Design Encyclopedia of Shapes and Functions" (2011).

Seiichi Saito

Creative/Technical Director | CEO, Rhizomatiks co.,ltd.

Born in Kanagawa in 1975, Mr. Saito began his career in New York in 2000 after graduating from Columbia University with a Master of Science degree in Advanced Architectural Design (MSAAD). Since then, he has been active in creative work at the Arnell Group, and returned to Japan upon being selected for the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial event. He produces works in the commercial art field which are three-dimensional and interactive while also being based on the firm grounding in logical thought that he cultivated through architecture. Mr. Saito has won numerous international awards at the 2009-2014. He currently serves as Director of Rhizomatiks Co., Ltd.,

Chiho Sasaki

Experience Designer | Director, infield design inc.

Founded infield design in 2004. Has been providing a wide range of user experience design proposals, including medical, nursing care, community, mobility, resource conservation and urban planning, for clients from home and abroad. Coauthor of "The First Step of Product Planning" (Sekigakusha). Prior employment includes IDEO and GK Graphics. Holds a master's degree from the Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music.

Hiroki Sato

Ph. D. Design | Professor, Chiba Institute of Technology

Doctorate (in Design) obtained at Graduate School of the University of Tsukuba. Specializes in studies of kansei (sensitivity) evaluation on design. Worked in design development of automobiles at Honda R&D Co., Ltd. and served as a full-time lecturer at Nagoya Zokei University of Art & Design prior to taking up his current position at Chiba Institute of Technology in 2007. Director, the Japanese Society for the Science of Design. Councilor, the Japan Society of Kansei Engineering. Member, the Education Committee, the Japan Industrial Designers' Association. Director Emeritus, Street Design Research Organization. Co-author of "Product Design - For Those Who Are Involved in Product Development."

Takashi Shigeno

Product Designer | C.Creative Inc.

Graduated from the Industrial Design Course, Kanazawa College of Art, and joined GK Industrial Design Incorporated in 1993. Developed designs for housing equipment, home appliances, information equipment, audiovisual equipment and optical products. Appointed as Director of C.Creative Inc. in 2000. Has been engaged in a wide range of product design development with a focus on medical and healthcare equipment. Winner of numerous awards including the 9th International Design Competition Grand Prize and 2013 iF Product Design Gold Award.

Satoko Shinohara

Architect | Professor, Japan Woman's University

  • Unit09: Housing, housing construction method

Shinohara explores architectural design feasibilities in actual design and field work, especially in complex housing design. In particular, she focuses on a comfortable living space for residents beyond the intention of the designer.

Fumie Shibata

Product Designer | Design Studio S

Representative director of Design Studio S Professor of Musashino Art University.
After graduating from Musashino Art University, Fumie Shibata established her own design studio, Design Studio S. With a strong focus on industrial design, she is active in a wide range of areas, from designing electronics and healthcare products to acting as creative director for a hotel. She has won numerous awards, including the Mainichi Design Award, the Good Design Gold Award.

Gen Suzuki

Product Designer | Director, GEN SUZUKI STUDIO

Born in 1975. Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art. Completed the Design Products Programme at the Royal College of Art (RCA). Worked for Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Corporation), and IDEO at their London and Boston Offices. Returned to Japan in 2014. Founded GEN SUZUKI STUDIO. Has worked in various fields of design, including household consumer products, home electrical appliances and furniture, and offered consultation to domestic and overseas companies. Lecturer at Kanazawa College of Art.

Koichi Suzuno

Architect | CEO, TORAFU ARCHITECTS Inc.

  • Unit05: Furniture, house fixtures

Born in 1973. Graduated from Department of Architecture, Science University of Tokyo. Completed the Master Course of Architecture, Yokohama National University. Worked at Coelacanth K&H. Worked at Kerstin Thompson Architects / Melbourne. Founded in 2004 with Shinya Kamuro, TORAFU ARCHITECTS employs a working approach based on architectural thinking. Currently lecturer at Musashino Art University and Tama Art University. Guest professor at Kyoto Seika University and Ritsumeikan University.

Manabu Chiba

Architect | Professor, Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

  • Unit10: Architecture for industry and public, construction method, interior | Uniit Leader

Holds Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Tokyo. Worked for Nihon Sekkei, Inc. and Factor N Associates prior to founding Chiba Manabu Architects in 2001. Assumed current post in 2013. Major works include "Japan Guide Dog Center" (AIJ Prize), "Otaki Town Hall" (2013 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation-Awards of Merit) and "Kogakuin University 125th Memorial Education Center" (Murano Togo Prize). Author of "Rule of the site" and other books.

Naoki Terada

Architect/Designer | Director, Design Division, inter office ltd.

  • Unit08: Equipments and facilities for sales and public

Completed the Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA School) diploma course in the UK in 1994.
Has designed and built brands for a variety of products, architecture and interior decoration.
Founded Teradadesign Architects in 2003.
Founded Terada Mokei in 2011.
Opened Terada Mokei shop in 2013.
Has assumed the post of Director at the Inter Office since 2014.

Masamichi Toyama

Creative Director | President CEO, Smiles Co., Ltd.

Born in Tokyo in 1962. Graduated from the Faculty of Business & Commerce, Keio University, and joined Mitsubishi Corporation in 1985. Founded Smiles Co., Ltd. in 2000 and became President and CEO. Currently operates three businesses, "Soup Stock Tokyo," "giraffe" and "PASS THE BATON." Under the management philosophy of, "enrichment of value in daily life," Toyama proposes new ways of living modern life beyond stereotypes or the boundaries of industry. His recent publications include "Deciding to Win" (Shinchosha Publishing, Co., Ltd.) and "Creating a Business Model to Do What You Want - Tracing the History of PASS THE BATON" (Koubundou Publishers Inc.).

Kazufumi Nagai

Creative Director | President, HAKUHODO DESIGN

President and CEO, HAKUHODO DESIGN, Inc., and Professor, Tama Art University
Kazufumi Nagai joined Hakuhodo in 1985, after graduated from Tama Art University, and established HAKUHODO DESIGN in 2003. He has won numerous awards both in Japan and internationally, including the Mainichi Design Award, the Creator of the Year award, and the ADC Grand Prize.

Sosuke Nakabo

Product Designer | Sosuke Nakabo Design Office

Born in Kyoto in 1972. Graduated from the Product Design course of Kyoto City University of Arts in 1998. After working at Matsushita Refrigeration Company Design Center, he went to the UK and finished his master's degree program in Design Products at the Royal College of Art in 2002. He worked at Ryohin Keikaku Planning and Design Office and Jasper Morrison's London office, before establishing Sosuke Nakabo Design Office in 2010. An Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Kyoto Institute of Technology, Architecture and Design Program.

Shiho Nagamachi

Lighting Designer | President, LEM Design Studio Co,Ltd.

  • Unit05: Furniture, house fixtures

Kyoto University of Art & Design, Visiting professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology , Lecturer
The GOOD DESIGN AWARD of Japan Industrial(1990~2014), The illuminating engineering institute of Japan, Good Lighting Award(2007~2014), MIDOUSUJI Illumination proposal 1st prize, IES illumination awards 2013(USA) (Doujima Bridge), Osaka & Kobe urban landscape Council

Kenta Nakamura

Businessman/Editor | CEO, Shigotohito Inc.

  • Unit12: Applications, system and service for public | Topical Issue Directors

Born in 1979 in Tokyo. Received the Master degree of architect, Meiji University. After worked at XYMAX Inc., established 'Nihon Shigoto Hyakka', which is the website for recruitment.Acting as a director at 'Shibuya Daigaku Shigoto-ka'and 'Shigoto Hito Library'Also supervising the management and design of 'Little Tokyo' and 'Shigoto-bar', which is the project creating the small town in the middle of Tokyo.A Work:'Shigoto to Hito no aida wo kangaeru (: Consider the connection between works and people)',Shigoto Hito Library

Hiroshi Nakamura

Architect | President, Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Co.,Ltd

  • Unit09: Housing, housing construction method

After working at Kengo Kuma and Associates, he established Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Co., Ltd. His major works include "Sayama Forest Chapel," "Ribbon Chapel" and "Optical Glass House." Awards: Grand Award of JCD Design Award 2006, 2013 and 2014, Wallpaper* Design Awards, Best Chapel, Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) Award. Publications: "Architecture in Love" (ASCII), "Microscopic Design Theory" (INAX Publishing).

Hide Nakaya

Art Director | Senior Commentator, Japan Broadcasting Corporation

Completed Graduate School of Tokyo University of the Arts. In addition to design and art direction, such as NHK's CI logo, he has been working on a variety of film productions, including directing the drama, "DREAM TV 200X," and was an official film director on the international feed for the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano. He has also planned and appeared in numerous broadcast programs, including NHK's "ABU Digista teens."

Katsushi Nagumo

Designer | Director, Nagumo Design Office

  • Unit14: Activities/solutions for public

After graduating from Tokyo Zokei University, established Nagumo Design　Office in 1987. Has been actively working in a wide range of design fields, including landscape, civil engineering, furniture, interior decorating and lighting. Explores new design possibilities in community and urban development through environmental and product designs. Founded "All Japan Sugidarake Club" in 2004 to promote a culture composed of wood which spans the country. Author of "Design Guidebook + Nagumo　Story" and others. Winner of the Civil Engineering Design Grand Prize, Good Design Gold Award and numerous other awards.

Kota Nezu

Creative Communicator | CEO, znug design,inc.

  • Unit06: Transportation equipments and facilities

Born in Tokyo in 1969. Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University with a major in industrial design. Joined Toyota Motor Corporation where he served as the concept development leader for "i-unit" exhibited at EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN. Launched znug design Inc. in 2005. Engaged in concept planning and the design of various industrial products, helping to revitalize the creation endeavors of corporations. Under the theme of "from a small factory to the world," he has developed the "zec00," an electric motorcycle with others who were in agreement with his idea. Also a co-developer of Toyota's concept car, "Camatte." Has displayed his works at domestic and overseas design exhibitions, including the "JAPAN DESIGN+" booth of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, at Maison & Objet in Paris. Winner of numerous awards, including the Good Design Award (Japan) and the iF Design Award (Germany).

Noriko Hashida

Product Designer | Professor, College of Engineering and Design, Shibaura Institute of Technology

  • Unit08: Equipments and facilities for sales and public | Uniit Leader

After graduating from the Department of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts, joined the TOTO Ltd. Design Center where she designed toilets, faucets, kitchen, and system baths, and became Design Director in 2005. Assumed the post of Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology in 2008. In addition to household equipment, she has designed office furniture and living ware, and also promoted local industries, making proposals for new uses which fit with the times.

Shigeki Hattori

Designer | CEO, Decorative Mode Number Three

  • Unit05: Furniture, house fixtures

Born in Osaka in 1970. After working for an interior shop and a design firm, founded graf, a creative unit, in 1998. Besides providing design and art direction for architecture and interior decorating, he has demonstrated his abilities in community activities such as regional revitalization in recent years. Has participated as supervisor since 2003 in the local revitalization project, "Awaji Hataraku Katachi Kenkyujima," which promotes job creation.

Eiji Hato

Urban Research Engineer | Professor, Department of civil engineering, The University of Tokyo

  • Unit06: Transportation equipments and facilities | Topical Issue Directors

After graduating from Hiroshima University, subsequently assumed the posts of Visiting Scientist at MIT, Visiting Research Fellow at University of Leeds, and Visiting Professor at UC Santa Barbara. Currently, he is Professor at the University of Tokyo and Visiting Professor at Nepal Engineering College. Established TransField Inc. in 2002. His works include the development of probe person systems and the bicycle share system, "porocle," in Sapporo, and the design of Cooperative Forest OWASE and new Nagasaki Station. Winner of the WCTRS Prize and other awards. Actively working in a variety of fields including Tokyo 2050, a project which transcends the boundaries of civil engineering, urban cities and architecture, while teaching at the Department of Civil Engineering, the University of Tokyo.

Yoshiharu Hamada

Product Designer | Associate Professor, Product Design Division, Tama Art University

Born in Tokyo in 1970. Graduated in product design from Tama Art University. In 1996, he attended a graduate course in industrial design at the Royal College of Art, England. After working at in Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd, in charge of Product Design and Brand Direction, established Studio Galleryworks in Milan. Graduated from Domus Academy's master's course in design in 2002. Became an associate professor at Tama Art University since 2008. A Visiting Professor in the Oslo Art University, Norway in 2013.

Chiaki Hayashi

Project Manager | Co-founder, Loftwork, inc

  • Unit13: Applications, system and service for business | Topical Issue Directors

Publications: "Web Project Management Standards" and "Global Project Management."
Works: Runs a creative agency which rolls out 530 projects annually, "loftwork.com," an online network of 22,000 creators, and a digital manufacturing café, "FabCafe." Also serves as the Japan Liaison to the Director of MIT Media Lab.

Nobuyuki Hayashi

Journalist/Consultant | freelance

  • Unit04: Communication devices

A freelance journalist focusing on social impact of information technology and reporting them on various Japanese media outlets; also known for actively reporting Japanese tech culture on various foreign media. Served as a consultant to several communication companies. Have been serving as judge for James Dyson Award since 2013. Author of "iPad Shock" and more than a dozen other books.

Kenya Hara

Designer | President, Hara Design Institute, Nippon Design Center, Inc

  • Unit06: Transportation equipments and facilities | Topical Issue Directors

Born in 1958. Designer. President, the Nippon Design Center, Inc. Professor, Musashino Art University. Emphasizes the design of both objects and experiences. Has been in charge of art direction for Muji since 2002. Has produced numerous exhibitions featuring concepts like "RE-DESIGN," "HAPTIC" and "SENSEWARE, to continually renew our sense of values. His recent publications include "Designing Design" and "White." "White" has been translated into several other languages and gained many readers.

Takayuki Higuchi

Designer/Interior Planner | Associate Professor, Division of Design Science, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate school of Chiba University

  • Unit08: Equipments and facilities for sales and public

Graduated from the industrial design department of the Graduate school of Chiba University. After working at SHIMIZU CORPORATION Design Division and FIELD FOUR DESIGN OFFICE, and studying as an overseas artist trainee sent by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, he established Takayuki Higuchi Design Laboratory. He has run design projects mainly in the fields of interior and architecture, and has engaged in activities for the improvement of interior planning skills as a trustee of the Japan Interior Planner's Association, Tokyo. An Associate Professor at the Graduate school of Chiba University. Received a Ph.D. with his research of "Linguistic Conception as Design in Japan".

Kazuki Hidaka

Strategy Consultant for Design and Intellectual Property Rights | President, Registered Patent Attorneys, Hidaka International Patent Office

  • Unit13: Applications, system and service for business | Uniit Leader

After graduating from the Design Course, Kanazawa College of Art, Hidaka joined the Japan Patent Office, of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) where he assumed the post of Examiner at the Japan Patent Office, and later became Deputy Director (Design Promotion Leader) at the Design Policy Office, MITI. After leaving MITI, he established Hidaka International Patent Office where he works as an expert in intellectual property rights strategies for product development. Has delivered numerous lectures and writings on "intellectual property rights and corporate management" and "design risk management." Specially appointed professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology. Lecturer at Kanazawa College of Art, Tokyo University of Arts and Shibaura Institute of Technology.

Masashi Hino

Architect | SALHAUS

  • Unit10: Architecture for industry and public, construction method, interior

Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 1998. After working for Riken Yamamoto, Hino co-founded SALHAUS with Motoki Yasuhara and Mari Tochizawa in 2008. Served as Design Assistant for the Yokohama National University "Y-GSA" from 2007 to 2010. Active in architectural design and urban development. His representative works include "Gunma Agricultural Technology Center," "Ohgiya Ryokan," "apartment building complex in Nishi-Azabu" and "CROSS STREET." Awards include the Practical Use of Wood Competition, First Prize/Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, the BCS Award and AIJ Prizes.

Naomi Hirabayashi

Art Director/Graphic Designer | PLUG-IN GRAPHIC

Born in Tokyo. After graduation from Musashino Art University, She started working as an art director/graphic designer for Shiseido Co., Ltd. In 2002, She was granted an opportunity to go to England to temporarily work for MadeThought, a design studio in London.
After returning to Japan, She engaged herself in designing many ads for different products and creating a number of package and book-binding designs as a freelancer. The works She created have acquired her Tokyo ADC prize, NYADC GOLD, British D&AD, as well as many other awards.

Naoko Hirota

Product Designer | Managing director, Hirota Design Studio

  • Unit01: Personal accessories for daily life

Graduated from the Department of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts. Joined GK Planning & Design, and later founded Hirota Design Studio where she directs total solutions associated with planning, design, promotion, sales and products business.

Masaaki Hiromura

Art Director | Representative Director, HIROMURA DESIGN OFFICE

  • Unit11: Media, packaging | Uniit Leader

Major works include National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (CI, Signage system), Yokosuka Museum of Art (VI, Signage system), 9h nine hours (AD, Signage system), Sumida Aquarium (VI, Signage system), Abeno Harukas (Signage system), Sogo & Seibu, and art direction for Loft. Held "Junglin' 2" solo exhibition in 2014. Winner of the Mainichi Design Award, KU/KAN Award, SDA Award Grand Prize, Good Design Award Gold Prize, and numerous other awards. Author of "What design can do. What design should do" and others. Professor, Tokyo Polytechnic University. Representative Director and Creative Director, Japan Creative.

Nobuaki Furuya

Architect / Professor | NASCA

  • Unit09: Housing, housing construction method | Uniit Leader

Architectural design. Furuya's representative works include the "Anpanman Museum," "Chino Cultural Complex," "Obuse Town Library - machi tosho terrasow" and the "Jissen Gakuen Freedom Learning Manor House." Winner of the AIJ Prize, Japan Art Academy Award, JIA Grand Award, AACA Award among other awards. Major publications include "Furuya Nobuaki: Shuffled," "Garandou," "Being an Architect is Fun" and "NOBUAKI FURUYA 179 WORKS."

Tomoharu Matsuda

Planner | CEO, Good Idea Inc.

  • Unit01: Personal accessories for daily life | Uniit Leader

Areas of work include art and design production and activity planning in the community. Coauthor of "Workshop: Techniques to Design a Coincidence" (Sendenkaigi Co., Ltd.). Chief Planner, Wacoal Art Center Co., Ltd.

Shuichi Matsumura

Professor, Dr. Eng. | Professor, The University of Tokyo

  • Unit09: Housing, housing construction method

Architectural Engineering (building construction methods and construction production)
Publications:
"Architecture – A New Form of Work" (Shokokusha Publishing Co., Ltd., 2013)
"Industry of Box – Interviews with Prefabricated House Developers" (Shokokusha Publishing Co., Ltd., 2013)
"3D Illustrated Building Construction Methods" (Ichigaya Publishing Co., Ltd., 2014), and others
Awards:
AIJ Prize (Research Theses Division) 2005, Association of Urban Housing Sciences Award (Book) 2008, and other awards.

Kazushige Miyake

Designer | CEO, miyake design co., ltd.

  • Unit04: Communication devices

Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1973.
Established miyake design in 2005.
Designs a wide range of items, from home electrical appliances and furniture to household sundries and traditional Japanese products for companies both domestically and overseas.
Is a part-time lecturer at Tama Art University.

Mitsuhiro Miyazaki

Art Director | Managing Director, Design Dept., AXIS Inc.

  • Unit04: Communication devices

Born in Tokyo in 1957. Director, AXIS Inc. Professor, Department of Information Design,
Tama Art University. Director, NPO "Think the Earth Project." Miyazaki provides art direction for the design magazine, "AXIS," and also serves as Director, unifying the Design Division of AXIS Inc. to perform branding and design development for various corporations and organizations. His recent major works have included planning the exhibition, "Kome – The Art of Rice" at 21_21DESIGN SIGHT and production of the official book for the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Tamotsu Murakami

Design engineering Researcher | Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo

  • Unit07: Equipments and facilities for medical, research and production

Graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 1984, and the Department of Industrial Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo in 1989. Doctor of Engineering. In English, the term, "design" is used for both engineering design and industrial design. Murakami's areas of expertise are research and education on the mathematical methods and software/hardware technology that assist designers and give full scope to their originality and diversity to design (design by human) and create products that can provide new values to meet the users' needs, sensibilities and diversity (design for human).

Chiaki Murata

Product Designer | President, Hers Experimental Design Laboratory, Inc. / METAPHYS / Director, Kyoto Art and Design University SDI / Adjunct Instructor of Kyushu University / Visiting Professor of Kobe Design University

  • Unit04: Communication devices | Uniit Leader

After graduating from the Osaka City University, Faculty of Engineering, Applied Physics Department and working for Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd, Chiaki Murata established Hers Experimental Design Laboratory, Inc. in 1986.
He is involved in wide-range of design activities, such as ‘Behavior Design' analysis, ‘Kansei-kachi Management' and publication of ‘Textbook of Social Design' in 2014. Served as the director of ‘Echizen iiza', ‘Hyakunen-Monogatari from Niigata', ‘Tokyo Metropolitan Museum New Traditional Crafts Produce TOKYO CRAFTS & DESIGN', ‘Tottori RVP', etc. for contribution to local development. Started graduate school SDI (Social Design Institute) to investigate with social problems in 2011.

Masayuki Moriguchi

Mobility Journalist | CEO, MOBILICITY Co., Ltd.

  • Unit06: Transportation equipments and facilities | Uniit Leader

Gathers information on traffic conditions at home and abroad for magazine, radio and Internet presentations, and lectures. Also works as a consultant to provide solutions to mobility related problems. Publications include "A Challenge to Environmental Society in Paris," "Transportation Revolution from Toyama," and "Super Compact Mobility."

Yoko Yasunishi

Designer | Director, DRILL DESIGN Co,.Ltd.

  • Unit01: Personal accessories for daily life

Born in Gifu-prefecture, 1976, studied sociology at Waseda University, studied design and founded DRILL DESIGN with Yusuke Hayashi in the year 2001. The studio is providing individualized solutions and concepts to clients and society with flexible creations between product and graphic design.
The studio has developed several brands for its clients and launched them to the world. The studio also offers designs for companies like MUJI, CANON, Mercedes, Camper, etc…
DRILL DESIGN has exhibited its work in Tokyo, Singapore, Milan, Paris and Stockholm. They have been awarded with many national and international renowned awards such as the Red Dot Design Award, German Design Award, The Good Design Award in Japan and The Design For Asia Award.

Teruhiro Yanagihara

Designer | CEO, ISOLATION UNIT/ CO.,LTD

  • Unit01: Personal accessories for daily life

His projects cross boundaries and cultures to form encounters between contemporary design, industries and Japanese crafts. Creative Director on a ceramics project which celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Arita pottery industry in Japan.

Ryo Yamazaki

Community Designer | CEO, studio-L, inc.

  • Unit14: Activities/solutions for public | Topical Issue Directors

Support local people to solve their own issues. Projects are included Ama town comprehensive plan, Maruya Gardens Department store community design, Setouchi Shimanowa 2014 and so on. Published "Community Design"(Gakugei shuppan-sha), "Era of Community Design"(Chuko-shinsho), "Social Design Atlas"(Kashima-Shuppankai) and so on. Director at Faculty of Community Design at Tohoku University of Art and Design since 2014.

Kozo Yamada

Design Director | President, GK Design Group Inc.

  • Unit05: Furniture, house fixtures

President, GK Design Group Inc. After graduating from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Yamada joined the GK Industrial Design Institute (Current GK Design Group Inc.). Transferred to GK Design Soken Hiroshima Inc., a joint-venture of GK and Mazda in 1992, and later assumed the post of President. Assumed the post of President of GK Design Group Inc. in 2012. Under the theme of the "relationship between humans and things," and from a comprehensive point of view, Yamada's work involves public transportation design such as a new transportation system and LRV as well as concept planning of industrial products. Winner of numerous awards including the G Mark Gold Award and the SDA Grand Award Grand Prize. Coauthor of "Re-design of Motorized Society" (Kajima Institute Publishing Co., Ltd.)

Yu Yamada

Buyer | President, method inc.

Born in Tokyo. After working as a buyer for IDEE SHOP in Minami-Aoyama, founded method in 2007, and began working as a freelance buyer. He is currently President of method, inc.
Released "Discover Japan Special Issue: Kurashi no Senmonten - Yu Yamada's Tokyo Shopping Guide" in June 2013 from Ei-Publishing Co., Ltd.
With a focus on creating the shops, he is engaged in a range of activities and serves as a kind of "lubricant" for products which are being produced in any and every area, including design, fashion, art, craft and food.
His major works include direction assistance on the shop located in the National Art Center, Tokyo, "SOUVENIR FROM TOKYO," selection of the products sold at "Tokyo's Tokyo" at both Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport Terminal 2 and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, MD coordination for the recycle shop, "PASS THE BATON," assistance in selecting gifts for economic leaders attending "APEC JAPAN 2010," selection assistance, planning and development coordination of commemorative gifts for the "Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group," and producing the specialty fireworks shop, "fireworks."

Tomohiko Yamanashi

Architect | Executive Officer Principal, Architectural Design Department, NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD

  • Unit10: Architecture for industry and public, construction method, interior

Graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1984, and earned a Master of Urban Engineering degree from the University of Tokyo in 1986. Since joining Nikken Sekkei Ltd, he has been engaged in architectural design management.
Proactively promotes BIM, a design method using computers, and development of the practical operations of computational design. His representative works include Jinbocho Theater (SD Review, JIA Young Architects Award), Mokuzai Kaikan building (MIPIM ASIA Special Jury Award, JIA Award), Hoki Museum (JIA Grand Prix, BCS Award), and NBF Osaki Building (formerly called Sony City Osaki) (AIJ Annual Architectural Design Commendation). Publications include "Google Sketchup – Super Manual" (Nippon Jitsugyo Publishing), "Building Information Model" (Nippon Jitsugyo Publishing) and "How to Design the Ultimate Ecological Architecture" (X-Knowledge Co., Ltd.).

Masaki Yokokawa

Creative Director | CEO, WELCOME Co.,Ltd.

  • Unit14: Activities/solutions for public | Uniit Leader

CEO, WELCOME, Co., Ltd. and DEAN & DELUCA Japan, Co., Ltd. Established George's Furniture Co., Ltd. in 2000. While promoting the interior shop George's, in 2001 he opened a life editorial store, "CIBONE" which features a cafe. In his unique style he has succeeded in embodying the fusion of fashion, culture and food in the living space. Since 2003, he has promoted the business development in Japan of New York-based DEAN & DELUCA, and continues to pursue the pleasures and possibilities of food. One of his companies changed its name from George's Furniture Co., Ltd. to WELCOME, Co., Ltd. in September 2010. He continues to offer a "tasteful lifestyle" through his new endeavors which extend across the boundaries of clothing, food and housing.

Rei Inamoto

Creative Director

Named in Creativity Magazine’s annual “Creativity 50” as well as one of “the Top 25 Most Creative People in Advertising” in Forbes Magazine, Rei Inamoto is one of the most influential individuals in the marketing and creative industry today.
With a broad international experience in Asia, Europe and the US as well as an unusual combination of background in advertising, design and technology, Rei brings a unique perspective to his work.
Until the fall of 2015, Rei served as Chief Creative Officer of AKQA worldwide, responsible for delivering creative solutions for the agency’s clients such as Audi, Nike, Xbox and many others. Since he arrived in 2004 at the agency, his presence has been instrumental in bringing AKQA the highest recognitions. In 2009, AKQA became the first agency in history to receive five Agency of the Year accolades from publications such as Adweek, Creative Review and Campaign. It was also selected as one of the Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies as well as Advertising Age recognizing AKQA as one of the top Ten Agencies of the Decade. In 2012, Rei was inducted into “The Hall of Achievement” by the American Advertising Federation, honoring the top young talent of the industry.
Rei is a frequent speaker at numerous conferences such as Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, SXSW and Spikes Asia to name a few. His writing and opinions have been widely published in publications like Fast Company, Wired and Contagious Magazine, making him a thought leader and a prominent voice in the industry.
Originally from Tokyo, Rei spent his childhood and teenage years in Japan and Europe. He then moved to the US to complete his university studies with degrees in fine arts and computer science – all before people were broadcasting their feelings, talking in 140 characters or less, or becoming friends with people they didn’t know.
He currently resides in New York.

Jun Rekimoto

Human-Computer Interaction Researcher | Professor, The University of Tokyo Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies

  • Unit12: Applications, system and service for public | Topical Issue Directors

Developed the world's first mobile AR (augmented reality) system, "NaviCam," during the 1990s. His research activities have been pioneering, and is also among the first in the world to conduct baseline studies on multi-touch technology. His current studies include computer augmented humans. Professor, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, the University of Tokyo. Deputy Director, Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. Member, ACM SIGCHI Academy. Winner of the ACM UIST Lasting Impact Award, iF Interaction Design Award, and numerous other awards.

Boonsanong Ratanasoontragul

Product Designer & Consultant | Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

Associate Professor, Executive Vice President of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. He was worked for TANIN Industry Co.,Ltd. as a designer and Asia Pacific Furniture Manufacturing Co.,Ltd. as a factory manager. Currently committee member of DE.Mark in Thailand from 2007.

Chi Wing Lee

Product Designer | Design Director, Milk Design

In 1998, he set up Milk Design, Its main services include consultancy projects of industrial and consumer products, and creation of lifestyle products. Under the view that design is simple and human, design is an important tool to provide various possibilities and experience to our daily life, Feel Good home accessory brand was established in 2002.

Do-sung Chung

Industrial Designer | Dept. of Industrial Design, College of Design, Kookmin University

Born in Tokyo in 1957. Went to South Korea in 1973 and after graduating from junior high school, high school and university, he learned his mother language of Korean. After graduating from Department of Industrial Arts, Kookmin University, he got his master's degree at the Graduate School of Tokai University, Japan, and his doctorate in formative arts psychology at Dongseo University, Korea. He built up his design activities from 1983 to 1988 at Toyoguchi Design Laboratory, Ltd. and FDM, Inc., and then from 1988, he was in charge of product design at universities in Korea: the University of Ulsan and the National University of Technical Education. Since 1995, he has served as a professor of the Department of Industrial Design at Kookmin University. He was Dean of the Faculty of Formative Arts at Kookmin University from 2005 to 2008, a Director of UIT Design Education School from 2006 to 2010, and a Director of the Graduate School of Techno Design from 2010. He has also held positions such as President of the Korea Industrial Design Association since 2014, and Director of Asia Creative Center since 2010. He is now interested in exploring new design possibilities by combining design with the results of other research fields such as ergonomics, systems engineering, and cognitive psychology.

Hrridaysh Deshpande

Design Educator / Consultant | Consultant Advisor, India Design Council

Hrridaysh has been in the field of education for over 21 years. Presently, Hrridaysh is the member of Governing Body of Ajeenkya DY Patil University and is the Director of DYPDC School of Design and DYPWWI School of Film and Media.

He is associated with the India Design Council (IDC) works as its consultant advisor. IDC is a national strategic body of Government of India established under the aegis of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion. Under the aegis of IDC he is spearheading the India Design Mark program in cooperation with Good Design Award, Japan. He is the member of CII National Committee on Design. Earlier, he founded Creative-i College, in 2004 one of India’s first private initiatives in the field of Design Education.

Juhyun Eune

Graphic Media Designer | Professor, Faculty of Crafts and Design, Seoul National University

Juhyun Eune is professor of media design in the Faculty of Design and head of Integrated Creative Design major at Seoul National University in Korea. She got her Ph.D degree at KAIST. She teaches information design and interaction design. She also runs Internmedia Lab. Her reserach focuses are on UX Design, service design with developing future scenario, cultural comparison, strategy for branding and innovation. She is undertaking academic-industrial collaborative work with Motorola, Chase Bank, Intercontinental Hotel, Samsung, Hyundai, LG, KT, and SKT. She has acquired BS ans MS and Ph.D of ID at KAIST, and has completed ITP at NYU. She worked as a designer at Daewoo Electronics and Time Inc. in NY. She has founded a design firm as a CEO and a creative director. She works as a board member of Korean Society of Design Science (KSDS), vice president of HCI Korea and CHairman for preparation of CHI 2015. She was a vice president of Public Relations and Liaison of Korea Institute of Design Management (KIDM), and Korea Society of Information Design (KSID), and a co-chair of HCII 2009, IASR2013, KEER2007 session. She is also a jury committee of Web award Korea, The Chosun-Ilbo Advertising Awards, and GD Mark Korea.

Jun Cai

Professor (Design Strategy and Management) | Director, DMR Lab, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

Focused Design strategy and management research on user lifestyle, culture aesthetics and design value. Research projects with Boeing, LG, Lenovo etc. Award: Light "Jac"/Norway/1992), Dental Unit (China/1999), Furniture (Silver award/ China /2004). Top ten China Design Educator (CIAD/2013), Published 30 papers etc.

Manfred Wang

Product Designer | Professor, Department of Design, National Taiwan Normal University

Professor of design at National Taiwan Normal University and Principal Creative Advisor for Qisda Corporation. Prior to 2013, Wang was the Vice President & Chief Design Officer of BenQ & Qisda Group and the General Manager of QisDESIGN Lifestyle Products Business Unit. Under his guidance, BenQ and Qisda have won more than 375 international design awards. Manfred Wang graduated with a Master of Industrial Design from Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design Germany in 1994.

Ming-Lung Yu

Graphic Designer | Art Director, YU MING LUNG DESIGN CO.

Born in Pingzhen City, Taoyuan County of Taiwan in 1957; graduated from Department of Fine Arts in National Taiwan Normal University, Mr. Yu now not only as a professor in Department of Visual Communication Design in Asia University, as a academician of Taiwan Academy of Arts, but also serve as Art Director in Yu Ming-Lung Design Co..

Mr. Yu's design work includes CIS design for companies, brands and events, book binding and layout design, cultural and creative product design. Back to 1991, Mr. Yu is one of co-founders of "Taiwan Image Poster Association"; since then, Mr. Yu has concentrated on visual artistic creation on posters. By using images and colors of Taiwan, his creations express Mr. Yu's dexterity and the modern concise style. Mr. Yu has devoted himself to loving his hometown, pursuing inner secrets of the culture, and concerning about life through visual artistic creation on posters.

Renke He

Design Director | Dean and Professor, School of Design, Hunan University

Dean and professor of School of Design at Hunan University in China, where he studied from 1978 to 1984 at the Civil Engineering and Architecture departments. He is also director of the Chinese Industrial Design Education Committee and vice-chair of the China Industrial Design Education Association. From 1987 to 1988, he was a visiting scholar at the Industrial Design Department of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and, from 1998 to 1999, at School of Design of North Carolina State University in the US.

Rocco Yim

Architect | Rocco Design Architects Ltd

Rocco Yim founded his own practice in 1979, and was one of the co-founders of Rocco Design Partners in 1982. The firm has received many local and international awards and citations for design excellence since its inception and has won its first international competition in 1983. Under his stewardship in design, the firm has grown significantly over the years both in size and reputation. Rocco has been actively involved in dialogues with the cultural and architectural communities both local and overseas. His emphasis on design excellence and social responsibility has become very much the firm's aspiration for the future.

Ulrich Schraudolph

Product Designer | Founding Company Director and R & D Director, XentiQ Pte Ltd

Ulrich Schraudolph is Founding Company Director and R & D Director at XentiQ Pte Ltd, a product development consultancy specialized in early stage Biomed and Industrial productization based in Singapore.
Ulrich has more than 25 years of product design experience, working many years in product design consultancies in France and Singapore, after studies in Germany, Switzerland and the United States, where he attended Art Center College of Design. He also holds a Masters in Human Factors Engineering (Ergonomics) from Nanyang Technical University (NTU).

Wei Hsiung Chan

Aesthetics Commentator | writer at large, editorial department, Business Next Publishing Corp.

Born in 1961 in Taichung, Taiwan, Wei Hsiung Chan holds a master's degree in Journalism from National Taiwan University. Chan was a journalist focusing on the hi-tech industry and creative director at an advertising firm in the early 1990s, co-founding the largest online bookstore in Taiwan, "Books.com.tw", in 1995. He joined Cite Publishing Group to found the Internet trend magazine Business Next in 1999, serving as Editor-in-Chief until 2004. Chan was one of the founding members of the cultural creative firm XueXue Institute in 2005, and since 2007 has participated in the launch of four magazines: Shopping Design, Soul Sports, Gigs Rock'n Roll and Short Fiction. He has authored five books, Motoring Tokyo (1992), e Breathing (2002), Aesthetic Economy (2004), Player's Aesthetics (2005) and Technique of Style: Interviews with creative innovators (2008), and is now a full time researcher of cultural and social change in Taiwan society.

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