About

50 Years of Design

Established in 1968, Kyushu Institute of Design celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. The term "design" (geijutsu kogaku) has been used ever since the launch of the institute, which aimed to create an academic field that integrates science and technology with art, the freest form of human expression. The late 1960s was a period when the unexpected effects of economic development were being felt. Social and student movements were gaining momentum and demanding change. The advances in science and technology brought along affluence and convenience, and at the same time, environmental pollution. The launch of the design institute coincided with a serious reflection on this so-called progress, an academic response to the social situation of the time. Kyushu Institute of Design has adopted the philosophy of “humanization of technology” and committing itself to training the best designers who can invent new ways of harnessing technology to enrich lives.

The Next 50 Years

Fifty years have passed since the founding of Kyushu Institute of Design. Although pollution is no longer a major social issue in Japan, the need for design is still growing. Social issues in the 21st century are changing, shifting from pollution to a declining birth rate and ageing population, coexistence with the natural environment, and the formation of an advanced information and communication society. As times change, the targets of design have expanded from physical to conceptual, even shifting into the world of ideology and imagination. But at its core, the philosophy of design has not changed: using technology wisely to help people lead happier lives.

What will design look like in fifty years on the centennial of Kyushu Design? You could say that it depends on everyone involved in the design process. The more people who get involved, the better the future of design will be. That is why I believe that it is our mission to create a place where the most outstanding individuals will want to come here to study design and do research over the next 50 years. To this end, we will strive to create an educational and research environment, a truly international campus where language and cultural differences are not barriers to academic studies but the drive behind the advancement of design. Additionally, we are currently forming our very own design ecosystem, fluid network in which all design stakeholders are engaged, with Ohashi Campus as a new, central hub for creativity. The Faculty of Design welcomes anyone who wants to study in an environment that allows them to demonstrate their diverse talents.