Tackling Youth Blood Donation Decline Through 'Design'

The Hyogo Red Cross Blood Center and the Industrial Design Department of Kobe Institute of Computing have launched a collaborative project aimed at promoting blood donation among the younger generation. Some of the awareness goods planned and produced by students have been introduced to six blood donation centers in Hyogo Prefecture. This project started in the fall of 2025, against the backdrop of the declining birthrate and aging population, which makes the cooperation of the younger generation, who will support future transfusion medicine, increasingly important. Through seminars and facility tours at the Hyogo Red Cross Blood Center, students learned that blood products cannot be stored for long periods and that an average of about 14,000 blood donations are needed daily nationwide. Based on this, they worked on planning and prototyping under the theme of 'What is needed for young people to perceive blood donation as their own issue?' In January 2026, a presentation competition was held where all students gave one-minute presentations. Various ideas unique to young sensibilities were presented, such as ideas to naturally raise awareness of blood donation in daily life and proposals to turn waiting time into an experiential value. The proposals included 'Blood Donation Shaka-Shaka Keychains' that allow for a creative experience at the donation center, 'Paper Blood Donation Buses' for children's awareness, and 'Blood Donation Bag-shaped Cable Holders' for smartphone charging cables. Among the various student works, the 'Amulet-style Keychain' and 'Kenketu-chan Stamp' were actually implemented in society. The 'Amulet-style Keychain' is an item produced using a 3D printer, characterized by a design that includes messages such as 'Thank you for blood donation.' Focusing on the abolition of blood donation cards and the complete transition to an app in January 2026, it adopts a specification that launches the blood donation app by holding a smartphone over it, encouraging a natural reminder for the next donation. On the other hand, the 'Kenketu-chan Stamp' is developed as a local design that combines the blood donation mascot 'Kenketu-chan' with the regional culture of Hyogo Prefecture. Through limited-edition stamps featuring motifs such as Tamba chestnuts, Awaji onions, and Tajima beef, it is a project where people can experience the 'fun of analog' in the digital age within the blood donation room. In addition, all works produced by the students were exhibited on a rotating basis at blood donation rooms in Hyogo Prefecture. In April 2026, they were exhibited at the Sannomiya Mint Kobe 15 Blood Donation Room, attracting the interest of many visitors. Through this initiative, Kobe Institute of Computing positions design not merely as a form of artistic expression, but as practical education that connects to solving social issues. They will continue to collaborate with the Hyogo Red Cross Blood Center to create opportunities for the younger generation to feel closer to blood donation.