LIVE DESIGN School, a school for regions and design, begins accepting participants for Season 2.

LIVE DESIGN School, a school for regions and design (operated by LIVE DESIGN Inc. / located in Kyoto City), will begin accepting participants from July 1, 2026, and will open "LIVE DESIGN School Season 2" on October 1, 2026. (HP | https://live-design-school.com/)

Since its opening in 2023, LIVE DESIGN School has had over 500 participants from across the country in the past three years. Starting this, its fourth year, the program has been renewed. It will now feature a two-tiered structure: a six-month introductory program to experience the intersection of regions and design, and a community-based practical program for continued exploration and practice.

By designing a seamless flow from experiencing regional design practices and lifestyles firsthand to a space where participants can nurture questions and projects together, we aim to realize unique designs for each region and its people across Japan.

Prior to the opening, an opening talk event will be held on July 20, 2026 (Mon, Holiday) at the Japan Design Center, featuring Mr. Jun Nakagawa, Chairman of the Good Design Award.

What is LIVE DESIGN School?

LIVE DESIGN School is a school where participants from across Japan learn diverse approaches to design that leverage regions and people to live interestingly in this era, alongside 11 lead designers (instructors).

Since its opening, through lectures and fieldwork, it has grown into a learning environment where people with diverse backgrounds gather, including regional players, designers, government officials, company employees, and students.

Furthermore, beyond the learning environment, practical outcomes have emerged in various regions, such as the launch of regional projects by participants, the creation of new activities, and even leading to life choices like relocation or career changes.

Learn from the practices of 11 designers leading the interesting regions and their designs across Japan.

Eleven designers who have continued unique businesses and activities in various regions will serve as lead designers (instructors). They will provide necessary learning and assist in practice for each participant through lectures, fieldwork, and support for participants' project conceptualization.

Mori Kenji, who recommended the book "Interesting Regions Have Interesting Designers" that led to the school's establishment, is also one of its supporters.

Eleven designers who have continued unique businesses and activities in various regions will serve as lead designers (instructors).

Toshimitsu Yoshino, Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture / Representative, Yoshino Toshimitsu Design Office

Tetsuya Sato, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture / Representative Director, Helvetica Design Inc.

Kazunari Sako, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture / Representative, hickory03travelers, Arekore LLC.

Jun Hata, Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture / Representative Director, ROLE Inc.

Naohiro Shiniyama, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture / Representative, TSUGI llc., Vice Representative, SOE General Incorporated Association

Nobuyuki Inaba, Komono Town, Mie Prefecture / Representative, Komono Design Research Institute Inc.; Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture / Representative, RW Inc.

Daisuke Sakamoto, Higashiyoshino Village, Nara Prefecture / Representative, Office Camp LLC.

Yasuhiro Horiuchi, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture / Representative Director, Trunk Design Inc.

Shinya Kobayashi, Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture / Representative, Shylacanths Shokudo LLC.; Onotsu Town, Shimane Prefecture / Representative, Satoyama Install LLC.

Maya Fukuda, Yabakei Town, Oita Prefecture / Representative, Hoshiniwa LLC., Representative, Temporaly Yabakei

Katsuaki Sato, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture / Representative, Katsuaki Inc.; Representative, BRIDGE KUMAMOTO General Incorporated Association

Season 2 Launch | Six Months of Learning and Future Practice

Over the past three years, this school has primarily focused on online courses and spot fieldwork. Through these activities, we have gained insights.

Many participants expressed a desire to explore regions and themes more deeply, often sparked by fieldwork. Furthermore, practices involving regions and design are not completed within a short program but are nurtured through medium to long-term engagement.

Based on these observations, LIVE DESIGN School will renew part of its program starting in 2026, its fourth year, and enter Season 2.

Season 2 will feature a two-tiered structure: a six-month introductory program for learning about regions and design, and a community-based program for continued practice. Instead of ending with short-term learning, we aim to foster deeper exploration and practice in regions and design by creating a system where people and projects can remain connected beyond regional boundaries.

[1] For New Participants | Six-Month Introductory Program

This program will be conducted over six months and includes "Lectures (Online)" to learn from the lifestyles and practices of lead designers, "Fieldwork (On-site)" to dive into local areas and experience the potential of regional design, and "Action Share (Online)" to present one's own ideas and projects. Events are also planned for participants to connect with each other across regions.

Participants will deepen their own questions and themes while engaging with regional contexts, nurturing the seeds for future practices. This program is open to a wide range of individuals, from those seeking opportunities to get involved in regions to active practitioners.

[2] For Continuing Participants | Exploration and Practice Community LDS Commons

After completing the introductory program, participants can choose to join the practical community "LDS Commons." LDS Commons offers programs to deepen exploration, such as public seminars and participation in projects led by lead designers and the operating members. It also provides programs to support practice, including "Action Dig" for one-on-one consultations with lead designers and "Field Action" for planning and hosting fieldwork in one's own region.

LDS Commons aims to be a community where participants connect across regions and fields, deepen their learning and practice by sharing their challenges, and continuously nurture regional activities and projects, fostering new collaborations and initiatives.

2025 Field Action Achievements (Examples)

- Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture / Shijusawa Woodcraft

"How to design Wajima for the future after the earthquake"

- Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture / Mr. Mikio Oikawa

"Speak Subjectively, Hida Story '2026'"

(Wajima) Considering the future of a region affected by an earthquake, engaging with the land's history and people's lives. (Hida Takayama) Learning about the connections within the regional industry by visiting diverse stakeholders, from forests to furniture making.

[3] For Corporations and Local Governments | Partners Program

LIVE DESIGN School also offers collaborative programs with corporations and local governments.

In addition to organizational enrollment in LIVE DESIGN School, we engage in various collaborations by designing learning experiences tailored to regional or organizational challenges, co-creating projects, and conducting fieldwork in cooperation with lead designers and participant networks nationwide. This provides opportunities to tackle regional issues together. Season 2 will further develop these initiatives and expand partnerships that broaden the possibilities for regions and organizations.

<List of Past Participating Companies (in no particular order)>

Dot Doto General Incorporated Association / Okumikawa Region Design Editorial Department / Odaka Tsunagaru Market Executive Committee / IGU Greenery Co., Ltd. / Otonari Printing Co., Ltd. / kiCk Co., Ltd. / Shigoto Hito Co., Ltd. / TAM Co., Ltd. / Tsugi LLC. / The Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Co., Ltd. / Noi Co., Ltd. / Level Four Design Co., Ltd. / Japan Design Center / Panasonic Corporation / Mitemo Inc.

An example of fieldwork conducted jointly with a company operating in Miyagi Prefecture. Researching regional natural and cultural resources to explore possibilities for future regional development.

Opening Talk Event on July 20 (Mon, Holiday)

Prior to the opening of LIVE DESIGN School Season 2, an opening talk event will be held on July 20, 2026 (Mon, Holiday) at the Japan Design Center in Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

At this talk event, in addition to LIVE DESIGN School lead designers Daisuke Sakamoto and Naohiro Shiniyama, Mr. Jun Nakagawa, Chairman of the Good Design Award, will be invited as a guest to discuss "What is Good Design that Leverages Regions?"

Creating work and life rooted in regions.

Passing down the region's culture and industry to the next generation through design.

And increasing the number of people who live creatively, transcending urban and regional boundaries.

We will delve into the philosophy that LIVE DESIGN School has cherished, and the future it aims for in Season 2, together with the speakers.

This talk event marks the start of Season 2, aimed at those challenging themselves in regions, those seeking ways to engage with regions, and those considering future ways of working and living.

Event Overview

LIVE DESIGN School Season 2 Opening Talk Good Design that Leverages Regions

【Date】 July 20, 2026 (Mon, Holiday) 14:00-16:00

【Venue】 Japan Design Center Headquarters

Ginza 4-chome Tower, 4-9-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iBnDJpjabCupSsSq5

【Nearest Station】 Approximately 1 minute walk from Exit A2 of Higashi-Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro

【Participation Method】 On-site participation (capacity 100 people) or online participation

【Participation Fee】

◯ On-site participation

・General: 1,000 yen (tax included)

・General (under 25 years old): Free

◯ Online participation: Free

【Speakers】

◯ Jun Nakagawa

Chairman, Good Design Award

Representative Director, VISION to STRUCTURE Inc.

Former Chairman, The Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten

◯ Daisuke Sakamoto

Representative, Office Camp

Good Design Award "Regional Initiatives and Activities" Juror

◯ Naohiro Shiniyama

Representative, TSUGI / Vice Representative, SOE

Good Design New Hope Award Juror

Facilitator

◯ Sho Yasuda

Director, LIVE DESIGN School

【Apply here】

https://lds260720.peatix.com

LIVE DESIGN School 2026 Autumn/Winter Program Application Outline

LIVE DESIGN School

https://live-design-school.com

<Program Period>

October 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027 Pre-orientation and kickoff event in September

<Format>

Combination of online and on-site

<Program Content>

・Online lectures

・Fieldwork in various regions across Japan

・Sharing of participants' practices

・Public seminars

Through these activities, participants will learn about regions and design in a practical manner.

<Participation Fee>

Under 25 years old | 44,000 yen (tax included)

Under 35 years old | 66,000 yen (tax included)

36 years and older | 88,000 yen (tax included)

<Eligibility>

No special qualifications or experience required.

Open to anyone interested in regions, design, and their learning or practice, regardless of age, occupation, region, or skills.

<Free Online Information Sessions>

・July 9 (Thu) 20:00-21:30

・July 25 (Sat) 10:00-11:30

・August 5 (Wed) 20:00-21:30

・August 21 (Fri) 20:00-21:30

<Application Deadlines>

・First Deadline: July 31 (Fri) 23:59

Early Bird Discount: New participants: 5,500 yen discount on participation fee / Past participants: 5,500 yen discount on program participation fee

・Final Deadline: August 31 (Mon) 23:59

<Information Session Registration & Introductory Program Application>

Accepted via the website.

https://live-design-school.com/

About LIVE DESIGN Inc.

・Company Name: LIVE DESIGN Inc.

・Mission: "To create interesting designers and interesting regions!"

・Location: 2F FOR/M, 29-4 Murasakino Nishinocho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, 603-8233

・Representative Director: Sho Yasuda

Contact Information

LIVE DESIGN Inc.

LIVE DESIGN School Operations Office

Inquiry Form