Spectrum Tokyo celebrated its 2nd anniversary on July 4, 2024 (Time flies!). With the support of many interviewees and wonderful columnists, we were able to publish a lot of articles in our second year.

This time, we’d like to share our recommended articles. Whether you’re a first-time reader or have read a few, please enjoy the unique interviews and columns only available on Spectrum Tokyo.

Editor’s Picks by Chief Editor, Ryo

The Creative Roots series involves asking seemingly scattered questions to people active on the front lines, exploring what has shaped them. Even from seemingly random questions, you can see a direction unique to that person through their answers, making it a favorite series of mine. Last year, we featured Sonoka, whom I personally wanted to delve into. Each episode revealed her love for creation and deep commitment to design, which made me smile while reading.

This is an article by Arisa from our editorial team about our trip to Denmark two years ago. It was eye-opening to learn that the foundation of Denmark’s simple design lies in a culture of “ask and they will tell you.” It’s always enjoyable to hear and engage in design that incorporates such cultural elements, and I felt very lucky to experience it firsthand there.

Editor’s Picks by Arisa

More companies now have Chief Design Officers (CDOs), but I think it’s still difficult to imagine what a CDO does. I was one of them, but through our talk with Yu, CDO of note, I learned the importance of having someone in the executive team who has decision-making power over design and development. I also resonated with the idea that design itself is a communication hub!

You see QR codes on tactile paving in train stations in Tokyo. This is a service called “shikAI” that helps visually impaired people with voice navigation. By pointing a smartphone downwards and reading the QR code while walking, it guides you directions in the station. It’s a well-thought-out service that can be implemented anywhere at a low cost and used by anyone with a smartphone. The effort to realize this was immense! It’s a must-read article about the development of socially significant product design.

Editor’s Picks by Shiho

How did Takaya Ota interpret, approach, and materialize the order to “bring only ideas that would normally be rejected”? And what were the trials and errors of Gaudiy’s designer Sho Tanaka in understanding and developing the design’s characteristics? Focusing on such a specific project is rare for Spectrum Tokyo, but it was a very enjoyable interview, feeling the intersection of mutual understanding and conviction. Please read it!

As technology has tried to expand what can be done in every aspect, I feel that the value of “limited” experiences is being reassessed through various services and products like “BeReal.” It’s an insightful article about shifting from creating things that compete for users’ time to creating things that premise people’s healthy living.

Editor’s Picks by Marika

I was surprised yet convinced to learn that Japanese people are good at recognizing emotions from voice information. It made me feel the depth of the Japanese language and reminded me of “kotodama” (the spirit of words). I’ve also played the “The Game of Saying ‘huh’” mentioned in the article! It was fascinating to realize how much we communicate beyond words through tone and expression in everyday conversation.

This article made me deeply think about the importance of viewing design in Japan from multiple perspectives, including its cultural and historical background. By questioning the roots of the everyday objects we use and re-examining and breaking down accumulated values and beliefs, I felt hopeful about the possibility of reconstructing a new identity. It’s a very impactful article that makes you think about identity, not just in Japan’s design industry but also as an individual.

Editor’s Picks by Nanako, English Translator

Quantifiable, visible effects in rehabilitation are motivating for both the individual and those around them. “DigiReha,” which allows rehabilitation through play using digital art and sensors, is designed from a child’s perspective, turning the pain of rehab into fun. Check out their English website, I chose this article hoping it will be widely known overseas!

U-NEXT lets you watch your favorite content anytime. To faithfully translate each article, the English editorial team has many discussions when editing. One memorable debate from this article was how to express the difference between “Okkake play” and “Oikake play.” This made us realize again the difficulty and joy of translating the unique nuances and expressions of Japanese into English. It’s a great opportunity that we are able to share these with you.

The Journey of Spectrum Tokyo Continues

Thanks to the many collaborators, we were able to publish many articles in our second year. There are various challenges and ingenuity in design efforts in any industry, from entertainment to business systems. We will continue to shine a light on the often-overlooked parts of the production scene and introduce them domestically and internationally.

Thank you to everyone who helped us with the articles! We look forward to your continued support in the third year of Spectrum Tokyo.