The Association of Design Departments and Schools in Japanese Public Universities Conference was held on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the International Design Liaison Center (5th floor) within Tokyo Midtown Design Hub, under the theme of “Future Design Education and Research.” The conference was organized by the Association of Design Departments and Schools in Japanese Public Universities and co-hosted by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. There was attendance by representatives from six out of the nine member universities of the Association of Design Departments and Schools in Japanese Public Universities.

The participating universities by region were as follows. Tohoku region: Akita University of Art; Kanto region: University of Tsukuba,* Chiba University; Chubu region: Nagaoka Institute of Design,* University of Toyama, Shizuoka University of Art and Culture,* Nagoya City University; Kyushu and Okinawa regions: Kyushu University, Saga University. (Universities marked with an asterisk were absent due to other commitments.)

At the conference, the opening remarks were delivered by Professor Akira Omoto, Dean of the Faculty of Design at Kyushu University, which served as the chair university. The event also featured guest lectures by Fumihiro Arizono, Deputy Director of the Technical Education Division, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); Hiroshi Harakawa, Deputy Director of the Design Division, First  Patent Examination Department, Japan Patent Office; and Hinako Nara, Chief of the Design Classification Planning Unit, Policy Planning and Research section Design Division, First Patrnt Examination Department, Japan Patent Office. In the latter half of the conference, there was a presentation of “Case Studies on AI and Design Education” by Assistant Professor Takuma Takahashi of the Akita University of Art and Associate Professor Hiroyuki Matsuguma of Kyushu University. The Q&A session sparked an active discussion, with various questions, opinions, and advice shared by the university representatives.

The subsequent information exchange session also facilitated the sharing of ideas and relationship-building. This was the first in-person Association of Design Departments and Schools in Japanese Public Universities Conference since the organization became a supporting entity. With the collaboration of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, the conference provided a very meaningful opportunity for active exchanges among member universities. Going forward, the conference aims to further function and contribute as a forum for advancing design research and education and making various proposals to the national government and public institutions.

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Overview

Association of Design Departments and Schools in Japanese Public Universities Conference: Future Design Education and Research

Date: Friday, November 29, 3–6:20 PM (*Reception from 2:30 PM)

Venue: International Design Liaison Center (Tokyo Midtown Design Hub)

Organizer: Association of Design Departments and Schools in Japanese Public Universities

Collaboration: Japan Institute of Design Promotion

Administration: Faculty of Design, Kyushu University; Center for Designed Futures of Kyushu University