DESIGNEAST04

Osaka was once a creative city unparalleled in the world.
The city was full of vitality, with the rice trading futures market system that was born in Dojima, Kamigata culture such as Bunraku, and a unique bridge culture built over rivers by merchants. However, the postwar mass production and mass consumption economy has caused Osaka's creativity to fade, and what is now coming out of Osaka is mainly the stereotypical "Osaka" of "flour-based foods" and "comedy." As a result, the city continues to develop "content" (software) rather than creating "places" (hardware).
On the other hand, for designers who are based in Osaka and have an eye on the world, there is little point in presenting their designs in Osaka, even though it is the city they work in. This is because Osaka currently does not have a stage where designers can compete at a global level, like Milan, Stockholm, or Tokyo, and designers who continue to work with an eye on the world have no choice but to go to places where such an environment already exists.
Designing the conditions for the birth of world-class design in Osaka—DESIGNEAST is a project initiated by young Osaka-based designers with an eye on the world. We believe that by designing the conditions for design in the city where individuals (designers) take the lead, we can create new markets and cultures with a global perspective. To achieve this, we started by creating events and recipients. To produce world-class output, it is important to first understand the world—and we are designing a place to receive it.

The pre-event "DESIGNEAST00," held in 2009, first invited designers, business people, and media active around the world to learn about the current situation and examples occurring around the world, and held an event centered around talks. The following year, the venue moved to the former Namura Shipyard site, and "DESIGNEAST01" was held on the theme of "social sustainability," while "DESIGNEAST02" was held on the theme of "periphery and center." Guests from across genres such as fashion, architecture, and products were invited to participate in talk sessions, workshops, markets, and film screenings. "DESIGNEAST03" was themed on "Dialogue with the Circumstance," and guests and visitors alike were invited to participate, creating an environment in which various people could meet and interact, and was blessed with nearly 3,000 visitors over the three days.

This year, the event will be held for three days on September 14th (Sat), 15th (Sun), and 16th (Mon, national holiday), with the theme of "Love for the Place," and will be held at the same location as previous years, the former Namura Shipyard site.

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I will be participating in "TypogRAPy", planned by Ohara Daijiro!
Illime + Shuta Hasunuma + Daijiro Ohara will be composing a song together at the venue!
Of course, after making it, we played it together. It was the first time the three of us worked together.
Expand your imagination!

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