CODE 2010
POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION
We developed ideas for merchandise by thinking first of what we would want as a “souvenir for ourselves.” The answer was “Kobe Sanpo” (“Walking around Kobe”), a sightseeing brochure that comes with an album. An album is a medium for collecting the footsteps of a journey. This album, together with the information provided in the brochure, allows us to share memories with travelling companions and enjoy tales of travel with family members and friends when we return home. This merchandise is targeted at female travelers, and thus it is designed with soft feminine colors. The attractive map that suits the overall design can also be the key to a pleasant trip. Above all, the brochure introduces stores that are particularly popular among us, female university students in Kobe. Most of these stores are known as secret hot spots and offer good deals. The brochure also has columns that give readers bits of knowledge, allowing them to enjoy the exciting process of planning a visit and checking real places. Furthermore, the accompanying eco-friendly bag is useful when carrying items that have been bought. The bag has a bottom gusset and is therefore easy to use. The case is shaped like Kobe’s famous Port Tower and made of red cloth, both of which give the item an attractive feel. The eco-friendly bag is a convenient item that can also be used after returning home. The brochure helps revive the memories of travelers when picked up by chance after the trip is over.
Kobe Women’s University: Motoari Kimachi
Our third year students are required to take a compulsory course titled “General Seminar on Home Economics” as part of the curriculum for the second half of the academic year (starting in October). This course is designed to allow students to undertake rehearsals in labs they select in preparation for writing their graduation theses. The course takes the form of seminars conducted in line with each lab’s theme, and my lab decided to work as a team on “CODE KOBE Souvenir” as a research project funded by Kobe City. Though I suggested the theme “Album of memories,” the project was led by the students from the planning stage, and I devoted myself to supporting them behind the scene while keeping control of the overall schedule and budget. When selecting designers to join our project, they searched for registered applicants on the Internet and narrowed them down using their areas of specialty and styles of creation, while my role was to make contacts with such applicants. As a result, we chose Yuya Okada. Through this process, seven students were able to take on the project at their own initiative while working together with professional designers. I think that they gained a great deal of experience from learning about the importance of communication and the harmonization of individual efforts with group work as well.
Although a joint project with Nagoya City seemed to be a daunting one requiring much work, the efforts of those involved allowed students to act smoothly and communicate effectively with their supervisors. We learned about the history, culture, and industry in each city, and gained priceless experience.
I look forward to taking part in another project like this with my students in the future.
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