SPECIAL FEATURE 1

Consulting on Design!

A business defines its identity not merely through the products it makes and sells but also by the relationship it forms with society and community. That is, what is its relationship with, and what is it doing to improve, the societies and communities where it does business? Addressing the issues of social responsibility that this question implies are an obligation of every business today. That means a business needs to communicate to consumers and all its other stakeholders what it is doing, and what contributions it is making, to fulfill its corporate social responsibility.

Design is crucial to driving a message home to a business’ stakeholders. But what exactly is the best communication approach when reaching out to the public by disseminating the form and the image of a product and when advertising and promoting the product through various media? Here the visualization and consulting power of design are crucial.

When creating a product today, design is less and less concerned with the value-added by making a product look more appealing than with how a product’s success in the marketplace depends on its design. Since a modern business must utilize design to succeed, we look at how businesses today are using design.

Design consulting has become an important part of every business activity, and here we look at some leading examples of its application by major corporations.  

Sharp

NEC

Sanyo Electric

Mazda

Kubota

Positive Dream Persons

Nichiban

SPECIAL FEATURE 2

The children’s product market

Design strategies for appealing to parents and children

Short-Term Abbreviated Serial - The changing shape of product user information - Part 2

Digital manuals that enhance brand power

Telling a Story without Being Asked: Akiko Takehara

Traffic lights that sing neither Toryanse (the traditional children’s song) nor bird song

Brand Improvement Committee #4

Kracie Pharmaceutical: New Coccoapo S

Does it elicit sympathy or disgust?

Pros and cons of a flabby belly

Design's Blind Corners

Points and lines: invisible time