On September 19th (Saturday) and 20th (Sunday), students from the Takao Ito Laboratory of the Department Department of Social Design Faculty of Art and Design, set up a booth at the "Fukushima Festival in Tenjin: Connecting Happiness" held at Elgala Passage Square in Fukuoka City. Based on what the students learned during their visit to Fukushima Prefecture, they planned experiential content under the concept of "Sharing Happiness Between Fukushima and Fukuoka." They conveyed the charm of Fukushima Prefecture and their hopes for its recovery to visitors.
This event was held as part of Fukushima Prefecture's "Project to Promote 'Fukushima Today' in Fukuoka Prefecture," and the students visited Fukushima Prefecture in July of this year. They learned firsthand about Fukushima's recovery efforts 15 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, its local culture, tourist resources, and culinary attractions, and incorporated that experience into their project.
At the venue, visitors could enjoy painting Akabeko (red cow) figurines using "Fukuiro Enogu," an original paint that expresses the charms of Fukushima and Fukuoka through color. They could also see "Fukushimap Sugoroku," an original board game themed on Fukushima Prefecture, and "Fukubeko Planters" featuring Akabeko motifs. Visitors enjoyed learning about Fukushima's culture and local resources, while students supported the experiences and promoted the charms of Fukushima as they perceived them, in their own words.
Furthermore, Professor Ito's "Gacharity" charity activity, which utilizes capsule toys and has been ongoing since 2011 following the Great East Japan Earthquake, has produced and sold an original work called "Fukufuku Okiagari Koboshi," which combines the traditional Fukushima toy "Okiagari Koboshi" with the traditional Fukuoka textile "Hakata-ori." The proceeds of 52,800 yen will be used to support the reconstruction of Fukushima.
Through dialogue with visitors, the students conveyed the charm and current situation of Fukushima, and communicated the importance of interest and continuous support that arise from "knowing." The experience gained from this project provided practical learning in social design, which creates connections with local communities and society through design. Moving forward, the students will continue to challenge themselves to solve local and social issues through design.
[Department of Social Design]
