Joshibi University of Art and Design to Open Graduate School 'Co-creative Design Research Area' for Working Professionals

Joshibi University of Art and Design (Suginami-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumiko Ogura) will establish a new Master's program, the 'Co-creative Design Research Area,' within its Graduate School at the Suginami Campus.

This research area is an educational program that goes beyond the conventional framework of design, focusing on 'broad design' to solve social issues and create new value, and practicing and researching interdisciplinary co-creation.

Furthermore, the university's graduate school is co-educational, providing an environment where students with diverse backgrounds can learn together.

**Features of this Graduate School**

- It is suitable for those who want to leverage their career experience to change society and contribute to society.
- Although it is an art university, it is not necessarily required to have specialized knowledge in art or design.
- It is a research program primarily focused on evening and online classes for working professionals (with some in-person classes on Saturdays).

**Features of the Research Area**

In an era often described as uncertain, the field of design is gaining attention and expectations from society as 'broad design,' extending beyond specialized skill areas that serve as user touchpoints (narrow design areas) to encompass problem-solving, planning, conceptualization, and envisioning future visions. In this context, to connect emergent ideas that are not bound by conventional wisdom to social contribution and commercialization, it is essential to go beyond internal organizational collaboration and incorporate voices from diverse industries, fields, research institutions, and even consumers and stakeholders, thereby building broad co-creative relationships. In the Co-creative Design field, students comprehensively research 'co-creative leadership' through various classes, exercises, and practical opportunities, enabling them to maximize and develop each other's strengths, leading to innovative solutions and new perspectives. Furthermore, they actively promote and operate industry-academia-government collaboration, fostering applied skills by experiencing processes from planning and conceptualization to design and implementation. After graduation, the aim is for students to grow into human resources capable of self-reliance, effective problem-solving for social issues, and driving innovation both within and outside organizations.

**Study Environment for Working Professionals**

This research area provides a flexible study environment designed for working professionals.

Core classes are held online on weekday evenings (6th period: 18:20-19:50, 7th period: 20:00-21:30), and in-person classes, such as research guidance, are primarily conducted on Saturdays.

This creates an environment where working professionals can study without undue burden.

**Educational Content and Example Classes**

Students will experience design construction methods, planning, and promotion methods that are the source of concepts across various design fields. By learning different areas such as creative, business, and tech, they will acquire the fundamentals of co-creation and develop conceptualization and implementation skills through interdisciplinary integration as an application.

The main areas of study are as follows:

- Design Fundamentals (Concept Construction Methods, Thinking Process)
- Business Model Design
- AI and Technology Utilization
- Team Building / Project Promotion

Additionally, participation in characteristic undergraduate classes and industry-academia-government collaboration projects is possible, providing practical learning opportunities.

**Faculty**

This research area plans to establish an educational system centered on practitioner faculty active on the front lines of various companies. Specific faculty members will be announced sequentially as they are decided.

The underlying Faculty of Art and Design's Co-creative Design Department has developed education in collaboration with various companies and practitioners, such as those listed below:

**[Faculty of Art and Design Co-creative Design Department Partner Companies (Partial List)]**

- AXIS Inc.
- Accenture Japan Ltd.
- KAI Corporation
- Concent, Inc.
- SUBARU Corporation
- Toshiba Corporation
- DENSO Corporation
- NTT DATA Institute of Management Consulting, Inc.
- Bandai Namco Experience Inc.
- Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.
- Renesas Electronics Corporation

**Basic Information**

Official Name: Joshibi University of Art and Design Graduate School Master's Program, Design Major, Co-creative Design Research Area
Application Period: *Please check the student recruitment guidelines to be published in June.
Tuition Fee: First-year payment: 1,725,430 JPY (including admission fee of 220,000 JPY)
Location: Joshibi University of Art and Design Suginami Campus (1-49-8 Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo)

◆Co-creative Design Department Website
https://co-lab.joshibi.net/
◆Joshibi University of Art and Design Website
https://www.joshibi.ac.jp/