Social Model of Disability
It is introduced as “a view of disability that understands that disability is a problem of ‘barriers’ set up by society” and “it is not the disabled who should change, but society”.
Researching
Graphic Design and Disability,
and implementing it in society
In Kudo Mao Design Laboratory, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, we are researching, analyzing, evaluating and implementing signs that guide people to their destinations and pictograms that convey information about objects and events, from the standpoint of the social model of disability, which recognizes that disability is not something that individuals have, but is something that society creates.
In particular, we are focusing on the visual cognitive characteristics of people with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and mental disorders who require visual support other than text, and by reconsidering the “standard” of accessibility design, we aim to implement designs that are easy to understand for as many people as possible in society.
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2025.09.30 / NewsPoster design and sign design planning for the 22nd Annual Conference of the Japan Society for Disability Studies
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2025.08.19 / News
The research paper by Chisato Kaneko, a second-year doctoral student, was published in Volume 72, Issue 1 of the Journal of the Japanese Society for the Science of Design.
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2025.08.19 / News
A research paper has been published in Volume 72, Issue 1 of the Journal of the Japan Society for the Science of Design.
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2025.04.01 / News, ProjectSignage Planning and Design at Kyushu University, Ohashi Campus (Building: 8)
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2025.04.08 / News
【Joint Research】Development of 19 Pictograms for National Youth Education Centers
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2024.10.19 / NewsResearch published on Yumenavi
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2024.10.12 / News75th Annual Meeting of the Society for The Japanese Society for Aesthetics “Film Discussion Group”
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2024.08.08 / NewsKyushu University Ohashi Campus Facilities Open Day:
3rd “Let’s learn about pictograms and play with them!“ -
2024.03.23 / NewsLecture at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art: “What are the issues with pictograms that we need to consider from the perspective of inclusive design?
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2024.01.09 / NewsKyushu University OIP Sign Project (Logo, Environmental Graphics)
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2023.02.15 / News, ProjectSignage Plan Implementation at the Kyushu University Design Library
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2022.11.01 / NewsSymbol’ 22 Symposium Presentation
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2023.07.14 / NewsFINA World Aquatics Championships Sign and Pictogram Implementation
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2021.11.28 / News, ProjectPictogram and Sign Design Exhibition:
Towards the FINA World Swimming Championships 2022 Fukuoka -
2014.10.25 / Project
2014 Japan Society for the Science of Design Annual Paper Award
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2022.08.27 / NewsReceived the 2021 Society of Design Award for Excellence in Design
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2021.05.07 / NewsWon the Universal Design Consumer Winner 2021 award at the Universal Design Competition 2021
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2019.12.18 / NewsIAUD International Design Award 2019 Silver Award (Public Design Category)
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2011.11.09 / ProjectWinner of the 2011 Good Design Award






















