Discussing the Reality of Osaka's Design Scene: Talk Session for In-House Staff Facing Challenges

The Osaka Design Center (Chuo-ku, Osaka) will hold a talk session titled "Osaka's Design Scene: What's Really Going On?" on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, targeting individuals involved in design, planning, marketing, and other roles within organizations.

Many in-house staff members feel they are "fighting alone" or "frustrated" because they "lack colleagues within the company who can share specialized knowledge, forcing them to handle everything from practical tasks to fine-tuning by themselves" or "feel limited by being treated as mere subcontractors and want to be involved in work from a more upstream perspective."

This event will feature three leaders who have established their roles in different environments: Elecom, Nippo, and Yanmar Brand Asset Design.

Rather than a one-sided seminar, they will frankly share real-world breakthroughs based on their experiences, discussing how to make "invisible work" visible and how to gain recognition beyond being a "jack-of-all-trades."

This 150-minute session aims to explore with participants how enjoying one's work can make daily tasks easier and contribute to the company, creating a "virtuous cycle."

In the latter half, a Q&A session for real concerns and a business card exchange will be held.

Talk Session: 3 "Frankly Speaking" Themes

The three speakers, who have established their roles in different environments, will look back on their journeys. They will delve into the challenges they faced within their organizations and the trial-and-error processes they undertook to overcome them, focusing on the following themes:

Speaker Self-Introductions: Each "Jack-of-All-Trades" History

Sharing the origins of each speaker.

Theme 1: Ultimately, What is "Design"?

A candid discussion about the "gap" between work that focuses on aesthetics and the trial-and-error processes valued by the field. While unraveling the frustrations of the workplace, we will reconsider the nature of design work.

Theme 2: How to Make "Invisible Work" Visible?

Establishing one's role within the company by communicating less tangible tasks like planning and coordination to others. Sharing strategies and steps for moving beyond individualized tasks and working in one's own way.

Theme 3: How Not to End Up as a "Jack-of-All-Trades"

Moving beyond simply "doing as told" to achieving concrete results like "numbers and evaluations" for one's work. Discussing the turning points for proactively engaging in work while feeling a sense of contribution to the company, rather than just being a "convenience provider."

Speakers (in no particular order)

Keita Sato (Elecom Co., Ltd., Product Development Department, Design Division)

After being involved with a wide range of products, he has been engaged in improving the value of Elecom's design, including building organizational structures and evaluation metrics, and operating design workflows.

Ryoko Takase (Nippo Co., Ltd., ME Business Division, Cosmetics Department, Planning & Development Office, Development Section)

Achieved cumulative sales of 4 million units through in-house product production. Currently active as a field producer, broadly involved from product planning and development to design direction.

Yosuke Yagi (Yanmar Brand Asset Design Inc.)

Traveled to all 47 prefectures for marketing in the agricultural machinery business. After serving as Head of the Design Office and Head of the Corporate Brand Office, he has led the enhancement of brand value.

Program Details

Part 1: "Frank Talk Session" by 3 Speakers

Frankly discussing the challenges faced within organizations and the trial-and-error processes.

Part 2: Public Q&A Session

Speakers will fully address the real "frustrations" submitted by participants.

Business Card Exchange

Opportunity to deepen connections by meeting face-to-face with individuals facing similar challenges.

Event Overview

Date & Time: August 26, 2026 (Wed) 14:00 - 16:30

Venue: MyDome Osaka, 8th Floor, Conference Room 6

Participation Fee: Free

Capacity: 85 people (first-come, first-served)

Organizer: The Osaka Design Center

Supporter: Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry

Recommended for:

Those who are "fighting alone" because they "lack colleagues within the company who can share specialized knowledge, forcing them to handle everything from practical tasks to fine-tuning."

Those who "feel limited by their current "subcontractor-like" tasks and desperately want to be involved in work from a more upstream perspective, such as management and strategy."

Those who are "conflicted" and wondering "is this really okay?" about their current situation, where they are recognized as "reliable" by others but treated like a "convenience provider."

Registration

Event Page

Registration Form

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Wouldn't you like to think together about how to take a step towards a "virtuous cycle" where enjoying your work makes daily tasks easier and contributes to the company?

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[Contact Information]

The Osaka Design Center https://www.osakadc.jp/ Email: odc@osakadc.jp