From 'Compensating' to 'Expressing the Ideal Self' Through Design: Tama Art University Launches Joint Course Redefining Appearance Care as 'Body Extension'

Rie Honma from the Medical Department of Shinwa Dental Laboratory Co., Ltd. assesses material properties and skillfully mixes alginate (impression material). The scene shows an 'impression taking' (ear molding) practice using alginate. The research begins with understanding the highly specialized techniques that serve as the starting point for epithesis production.

Tama Art University (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, President: Hiroshi Naito) launched a PBL (Project Based Learning) course, 'Skin Reproduction and Appearance Care* Research,' in the Department of Integrated Design (Instructor: Professor Tomoaki Takuma) starting in April 2026.

This initiative was realized with the matching support of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's 'Tama Innovation Ecosystem Promotion Project,' welcoming Kanoa Crew Inc. (Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, CEO: Makiko Suzuki), a provider of wearable artificial breasts, as a collaborating company.

The scene shows a practical lecture by dental technician Rie Honma (Shinwa Dental Laboratory Co., Ltd.). In collaboration with Kanoa Crew, students systematically learn everything from basic knowledge to techniques of epitheses.

The course invites the company and its partner, dental technician Rie Honma, as lecturers. It aims to help students understand the highly specialized techniques of epitheses (prosthetics) and rebuild the framework of appearance care from an art and design perspective.

*Appearance care
Support provided from medical and social aspects to compensate for changes in appearance due to cancer treatment, etc., enabling patients to lead a life true to themselves.

The Value an Art University Brings: Redefining QOL and 'Body Extension'

Previously, in the fields of 'welfare' and 'care,' the prevailing thought was to bring defects or changes closer to their original state—essentially 'returning a negative to zero.' However, the university attempts to create new value by crossing this field with the perspective of 'expression.' It reinterprets appearance care not merely as compensation, but as 'body extension' to realize the user's desired appearance. Similar to wearing glasses or applying nail polish, the goal is to realize well-being* by proactively enhancing the quality of life (QOL) through self-directed self-presentation.

*Well-being
A comprehensive concept referring to a state of being fulfilled, including not only physical health but also mental and social health, such as mental fulfillment, social connection, purpose in life, and self-realization.

Design Thinking that Updates the Concept of 'Health'

This project goes beyond merely providing products to question what design can do for 'consciousness,' such as social connection and purpose in life.

Design to Realize 'How I Want to Be'

Through the fresh sensibilities of students, the project explores the potential of design—not to hide treatment scars, but to create products that bring out a person's unique beauty and individuality, along with a societal atmosphere that accepts this.

Updating Society

In addition to raising awareness of public support systems like subsidies (addressing the issue of an approximately 10% penetration rate), the project aims to find 'clues' for designs and services through engagement with the real world, dissolving the boundary of 'welfare equipment = something special' and moving toward a future where everyone can dress as themselves.

The Role of Future Design

To bring about positive transformations in people's thoughts and behaviors through the design of graphics, products, and services. Believing in this power of design, the university promotes this project as a first step toward real-world implementation.

The scene shows a colored coating being applied to a silicone finger sample. After experiencing the exquisite skin reproduction technology of epitheses, students explore the possibilities of design as a new form of expression.

Real-World Implementation from the New Campus (PBL)

This course is conducted in a PBL format where students explore solutions to real-world issues. It is held in the new building of the Kaminoge Campus, which opened in April 2026.

Immediately after the course started in April, a skin reproduction workshop with experts was held. Currently, students are researching the voices of those affected and social systems, formulating hypotheses for the midterm presentation in June and the final presentation in July.

While experientially learning epithesis techniques, students will ultimately create art and design works as aesthetic proposals. Combining Kanoa Crew's expertise with the students' sensibilities, the research drives toward real-world implementation.

■ About Tama Art University Educational Corporation

Chairman: Masanori Aoyagi
President of Tama Art University: Hiroshi Naito
Location: 3-15-34 Kaminoge, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8558
Founded: 1935