“Designing Japan: A Future Built on Aesthetics” describes the vision of the renowned designer Kenya Hara of a Japan of the future, the design of which is based on a unique philosophy of beauty and wisdom from all over the world. To realize this vision, the book travels back to the beginnings of professional Japanese design in the 16th century and tells its story up to the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake in 2011.
In order to connect Japan’s past with its future, Hara is investigating phenomena that the island nation will have to face in the future. He draws on three decades of experience as a designer and curator. Hara meets challenges such as an aging population, a changing industry or the rapid advances in technology with solution-oriented design that accompanies his explanations with illustrations.
