Many designers have played a crucial role in shaping Japanese design history. The “Platform for Architectural Thinking (PLAT)” has taken on the mission of documenting and preserving their thoughts and works through the “Japan Design Archive Survey.” This initiative is centered on conducting interviews with leading designers from pre-war to the present day, aiming to establish and promote a design archive. In this interview, we spoke with Yasuko Seki, a director at PLAT and the organizer of the “Japan Design Archive Survey” project, about PLAT’s founding, its ongoing activities, and the significance and future potential of design archives.

dnThe Japan Design Organizations As One (DOO) is a collaborative body composed of seven major design groups that have played a crucial role in the development of Japan’s design culture. These organizations, specializing in areas ranging from spatial design to jewelry design, work together to connect design with society through various activities. In recent years, they have been particularly focused on researching and analyzing the relationship between post-war Japanese society and design, sharing their findings through exhibitions and other means. In this interview, we spoke with Tsuneo Ko from DOO, and Takemi Kuresawa, a design historian and supervisor for the organization, about DOO’s initiatives and the significance and potential of a design museum in Japan.

A project aimed at fostering economic development, national pride, and creative confidences with Japan’s design archives as a starting point has been launched in 2024. The project aims to develop Japan’s design archives as a starting point for economic development and the fostering of national pride and creative confidence. With this in mind, how have the activities to connect design resources that exist in various parts of Japan been carried out? Seiichi Saito, who has extensive experience in pioneering design work and collaboration with government agencies as the leader of Panoramatics, and Kyoko Kuramori, who also produces design-themed programs and serves as the president of Design-DESIGN MUSEUM, a general incorporated association, reviewed the discussions to date.