Talk session about Outside of Design by Shun Kawakami from artless/null and Koichiro Tanaka from Projector. revealed interesting comparison of the way of creativity as a designer and producer. Shun talked importance of self-presentation. “I didn’t graduate from an art school and didn’t know what the standard is, so that I made a website and exhibit my works in order to let people know it. As I am continuing it, someone introduce me to someone… my network is gradually expanded.” He has a policy to have exhibition once a year. “If I stop making self-works, I can also not make client work better. Holding an exhibition every year is my lifework.” he said.

Koichiro Tanaka and Shun Kawakami

On the other hand, Projector inc. Koichiro Tanaka, a producer of UNIQLOCK and UNIQLO JUMP, seeks how to create big movement by collaborating other interactive contents such as You Tube and Flickr. His presentation way is really unique. Koichiro said “I don’t present my idea for clients. I explain about how the idea came out. For instance, in case of UNIQLOCK, I was thinking of making interesting blog parts which everyone uses it as UNIQLO’s website should be a media to appeal the brand globally. In this case, CLOCK is a good idea as useful blog parts but it was not strong. It was necessary to attract viewers in feelings. Then, one idea came out that the movement of dance and sounds of second might match….” like this. There is blank spaces when he talks “un-cooked idea” through letting know of the process of idea making. This allows some other ideas add flexibly in order to enhance its quality.

Phunk Studio

Do you know who “Design Rock Star” is? Answer is Phunk Studio which is one of the most famous design collectives in Singapore. “When I wake up, I always think I would like to enjoy my work with audience as if a band plays at the gig.” William Chan said. It is explained that they design like a band is playing. Phunk Studio is really good at self-promotion such as making character of themselves as a band and they published company’s portfolio, UTOPIA, in order to appeal their design philosophy. Especially, I am interested in the “STEAL This poster” project which is a poster of promotion of the event which they are inviteded as a speaker at an art school. The poster was traced at wall by spray. In other words, it implies that Phunk Studio’s confidence that student only can steal them style but not idea, as well as they are expecting new young talents will show up.

It is great that this festival is all free. “As The Center of Creative Communication is created this year, it became a platform to meet creative people. Events and exhibitions will hold regularly in the future” said Hisami Omori at the SCV. “From Japan to From Shizuoka”. The challenge of Shizuoka just started.

The next SCVF is planned to be held from 31st October until 3rd November 2008.

Shizuoka Contents Valley Festival (SCVF) 2008
Date: February 15th – 17th, 2008
Place: CCC (The Center for the Creative Communications)
Address: 15-1 Shichikencho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka
http://www.scv.jp/scvf/