“NIGETORE” personal tsunami evacuation drill APP
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Because Japan is prone to mega earthquakes and tsunamis, including the anticipated Nankai trough earthquake, the team developed an evacuation drill app for residents to stress the importance of emergency evacuation as the most effective measure for minimizing casualties. This app uses trusted flood simulation data from researchers and indicates the safety level in an emergency evacuation during tsunami using graphical representations, sound effects, and announcements. It is designed to help users think of emergency scenarios and measures through simulated experience that includes more than simple on-screen tsunami predictions. GK Kyoto’s main responsibilities include app UI design, public relations support, store up release, and corporation during test run.
CoCoroe
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The CoCoroe Series of medical and welfare apparatus was developed to assist both caregivers and care receivers as a countermeasure for the current situation where low birth rate and longevity create increasing demand for rehabilitation and nursing and the level of the burden and labor shortage are concerned. As a part of the Humatronics business that integrates the mechatronics of industrial robots and human abilities for new value creation, YASKAWA and GK Industrial Design focused on balancing the cool image of advanced and functional technologies and the warm image of user-friendly safety and kindness in expressing “geniality realized through technology.”
→GK Industrial Design website
1st SQUARE GARDEN
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The project was the renovation of the vacant public lot of Otemachi 1st SQUARE GARDEN. The lot is located in the office complex of Otemachi in Tokyo. To promote the renewal project, the team conducted the workshop with the neighborhood office workers beyond their specialty as the process of users’ experience with practical value. Through realizing potential user needs in the hardware, the team created a software system providing services in conjunction with the management. A new Urban Yard (the place people could spend their daily/un-daily life) appeared in Otemachi area. The collaboration with the specialists of greenery and landscape, sales business succeeded in realizing the project.
The business realm of GK Design Soken Hiroshima: Collaborative Promotion of the Project, Signage Plan
Hida Furukawa town signage plan
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Hida-Furukawa is a small town surrounded by mountains in northern Gifu Prefecture. Ryotaro Shiba, a famous novelist, once wrote about the city as “astonishingly elegant and traditional.” Generations later, the town still maintains the same atmosphere. In this project, we decided to reflect the pride and will that the people in Furukawa have for their city in signage to welcome the visitors; therefore, from the early stage, we learned about the meanings of designs and case studies together with the city workers and the citizens to seek the most suitable design for this region. Specifically, we strived to find the best font and meticulous typography which match into the environment while welcoming and guiding the visitors with a calm Hida dialect. We also developed arrows and pictograms which have appropriate moods for the streets. The base part of the signage was created after exchanging views with the citizens and layers of testing such that the size and proportion, as well as the color, blend well with the surroundings, and the separatable structure comes in handy against heavy snow and at the time of festive events.
→GK Graphics website
“Refresh Squeeze” - pink grapefruit mix – juices
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A limited line of grapefruit juice in three different package designs for online shopping sites LOHACO and ASKUL.
This original line is targeted to women busy in their work or home life, a drink to support and stand by them. Inspired by the jewel-like shine of pink grapefruit flesh, the feminine image was cast on the shimmer of jewels to make the design concept “stone of energy.” The colors were extracted from fruit and vegetable colors and set in the patterns, making a natural sizzle together with the hand-painted touch. (Gra)
→GK Graphics website
Product identity design for SUGINO MACHINE LTD.
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As Sugino Machine celebrated their 80th anniversary in 2016, they restructured the product identity (PI) to further strengthen their brand. While Sugino Machine handles wide variety of products, each with its unique technology and idea, the keyword “exquisite” was set out at the top of new PI concept to be applied and derived for all products. The design also aimed to consider the suitable work flow based on user behaviors in daily work routines. The project proceeded with thorough discussions between designers and engineers to deliver a machinery easier to use by adopting the PI.
→GK Industrial Design website
Takara Holdings Inc. 90th Anniversary
Sho Chiku Bai junmai daiginjo bottle
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The bottle, designed by GK Industrial Design was specially prepared for “Sho Chiku Bai”, the top-quality sake which would be used as a gift to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Takara Holdings. The design concept intended to express the quality of sake brewed from rice grains that have been milled down to 20% of their original size, as well as a flowery atmosphere as a memorial gift to present the refined style of a rice wine brewer in Kyoto.
Beer infuser
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Beer server designed to brew and serve beer customized to customers’ preferences. It is installed inside the counter of Spring Valley Brewery and operated by a bartender. To emphasize the attractiveness of the machine, all component elements from the cylinder system to screws are fully exposed instead of being covered in a case. Looking at the beautifully finished parts and components, the proof of a precision machine, will enhance customer expectations for tasteful beers. Being able to watch beers being customized in front of their eyes will give customers feelings of anticipation.
→GK Industrial Design website
Furniture made of wood in the home town
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Furniture design for a chair with armrests made of steel pipes and molded plywood. A minimalist design chair that shows the textures of the materials well fits not only to homes and offices, but also to villas, galleries and other spaces not only for daily living, but also working spaces such as studios, ateliers and research rooms. The company presents a new business model whereby furniture pieces of the same design are manufactured in different regions by local craftsmen using wood grown in those local areas. It is hoped that chairs of the same design will be manufactured in all prefectures across the country.
→GK Industrial Design website
“fugan” boat for Fugan Suijo Line
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A tourist boat designed for cruising the Fugan Canal in Toyama city. It is operated by a solar power generation device on board. The body is made with aluminum alloy to lighten its weight, and for easier recycling. The frame structure is employed, and to allow easy embarking and disembarking for passengers with physical difficulties, a device with limited steps is introduced. A boat allows freer mobility but passengers have a feeling of confinement. To alleviate this feeling, the room surrounded by glass walls gives an open-air feeling, and the open deck allows passengers to enjoy the winds.
→GK Industrial Design website