U.K. design firms woo Japanese market
Written by Writer on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
U.K. design firms woo Japanese market
The Yomiuri Shimbun
OSAKA–British design firms are promoting the advantages they claim to have over the design industries of other nations, in an effort to win over potential customers here and penetrate the Japanese market.
Experts from seven British design firms participated in Design U.K., a forum organized by the British Consulate General Osaka and held at the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in late October, with an audience of nearly 100 attending the sessions.
Yasuhiro Kira, former executive officer of Yamaha Corp.–which in 2005 established its first overseas design operation in London–said Britain’s design culture is older and deeper than the United States’ and that British designers’ ingrained sensibility has contributed to original designs on all kinds of projects of the firm, from musical instruments to motorbikes.
“[In the case of] musical instruments, it’s widely believed that there is no more leeway for new designs, but [Yamaha's] mission is to show that is not the case,” Kira said.
During a panel discussion, delegates emphasized that the multiculturalism of Britain, and of London in particular, means design firms based there are accustomed to considering cultural differences when developing concepts.
David Keech, managing director of Keechdesign UK Ltd., previously lived in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, where he worked for a Japanese firm. Based on that personal experience, he was optimistic about the prospect of mutually prosperous links between the two nations.
“The people of both countries share an entrepreneurial ambition. There are many similarities, such as historical and cultural depth,” Keech said.
According to Keech, the language barrier is no more than a minor obstacle to forging British-Japanese creative partnerships, as the design field relies most heavily on visual communication.
David Fisher, design director of Seymourpowell, acknowledged that cultural barriers exist, but said that any gaps can be bridged with some extra effort in communication. A good designer has the ability to ask questions of a client in order to extract details about their concerns and requirements, Fisher said.
(Nov. 13, 2008)
