Professor from Japan inspired students and researchers
Last week, Mid Sweden University was visited by Professor Tomoko Obama from Shizuoka University of Art and Culture in Hamamatsu City, Japan. During her visit, she held an appreciated workshop for students, lectured to colleagues in design and took the first steps towards a future research collaboration.
On Tuesday, about 40 students from Graphic Design participated in a workshop focusing on Universal Design Evaluation Methods, led by Tomoko Obama. The students analysed two biscuit and milk packets using a survey method. The results will be compared with a similar workshop conducted with Japanese design students.
"The comparison between Swedish and Japanese packaging shows clear cultural differences. But in universal design, the idea is that everyone, regardless of background, should be able to understand and absorb the information," she says.
International link through a common focus
The contact between Mid Sweden University and Shizuoka University of Art and Culture was established in connection with a delegation trip to Japan last year. Mid Sweden University's professor of design, Per-Olof Hedvall, then saw that the universities share the same profile – universal design.
"Now we want to keep in touch and initiate a research collaboration. Universal design is a relatively unique focus for a design programme and something that binds the two universities together," he says.
Japan is ahead of the curve
Japan has long been a pioneer in this area. As early as the 1990s, they began to develop universal design on a large scale, while Sweden only got started in the 2000s.
"The concept is not really that difficult, it's simply about good design being for everyone and that there should be 'easy access' to it," says Tomoko Obama.
She also points out that Japan's rapidly growing elderly population has driven the development. One example is the country's pedestrian crossings, where tactile tiles in yellow help people with different needs to orient themselves.
Next steps
In addition to the workshop and presentation, Tomoko Obama also had time to discover the campus and Sundsvall's surroundings. But above all, the foundation has been laid for a long-term research exchange.
"It has been fantastic to be here and make contacts and meet such great colleagues," says Tomoko Obama.
Kristina Brink, Deputy Head of Department at the Department of Natural Sciences, Design and Sustainable Development, NDH, believes that Sweden has a lot to learn from Japan.
"Japan has come a long way in the work on universal design, but interest is growing rapidly in Sweden as well. A collaboration with Shizuoka University of Art and Culture will provide valuable opportunities for both students and researchers here at Mid Sweden University," she says.
