Networking & Learning Event for UI Designers: Get Started with Unreal Engine! Free Event 'This Skill I've Been Curious About! (UE5 Beginner Level)' on July 17 (Fri) in Tokyo (Onarimon)

Planet Design Studio, the 2D production, web production, and XR production team of C&R Creative Studios—the largest creative development studio in Japan operated by CREEK & RIVER Co.—will host a networking event for UI designers titled 'This Skill I've Been Curious About! (Unreal Engine 5 Beginner Level) – UI Designer Networking Event' on Friday, July 17, at the Community Hub of C&R Creative Studios in Onarimon. This event will provide UI designers with an opportunity to take the next step forward through live demonstrations and networking centered around Unreal Engine 5 (UE5).

▼Details and Registration https://go.creativevillage.ne.jp/l/924692/2026-06-02/2nz9lv

UI designers play a crucial role in designing user experiences while collaborating across multiple disciplines. In recent years, their required skill sets have evolved to include game engines such as Unreal Engine. However, opportunities to systematically learn UI creation using engines, or to share practical knowledge among fellow UI designers, remain limited—creating growing demand for hands-on learning experiences. Responding to this need, the event combines 'UI designers × engine technology × networking' into an experiential format.

The event will feature a live demonstration session led by UI designers from Planet Design Studio, offering attendees a hands-on experience of basic UE5 operations. Designed for those with no prior UE5 experience, the session will cover installation and fundamental operations in a practical way. There will also be dedicated time for open networking among UI designers, enabling casual sharing of real-world insights and know-how. Additionally, the event will include a discussion on market trends and in-demand skills for UI designers, aiming to inspire reflections on career development. All interested participants are welcome to attend.

<Organizer's Comment> Rina Iwata (C&R Creative Studios, Planet Design Studio, 2D-lab UI Designer / Art Director) "I feel UI designers are a type of professional who often end up carrying their struggles alone. Personally, I've gone through many trials in search of better ways to design and communicate UI. With this event, I hope to create a space where we can share these challenges and leave with new 'tools' to move forward. Like the tavern in a role-playing game, I hope people can casually drop by, naturally connect with others, and find inspiration for their next step. And even if they don't, I'd be happy just to have them come by for a drink!"

【About Planet Design Studio】 A production and development team within C&R Creative Studios specializing in 2D CG, web production, and XR development. With over 200 creators, the team delivers stable, high-quality services backed by extensive experience. 2D CG: https://2d-studio.crdg.jp/ Web Production: https://web.crdg.jp/ XR Development: https://xr-creek.jp/

【Unreal Engine 5 Beginner Level】"This Skill I've Been Curious About!" – UI Designer Networking Event

Date and Time July 17, 2026 (Fri) 19:00–21:30 (Doors open at 18:30)

Schedule 18:30– Doors open 19:00– Opening remarks Organizer's greeting and event overview Introduction to Planet Design Studio|C&R Creative Studios About the UI Designer Team 19:15– In-demand skills for UI designers today 19:30– Unreal Engine live demonstration 20:30– Networking session 21:30– Closing remarks

Venue CREEK & RIVER Co., Ltd. C&R Creative Studios Onarimon, Community Hub 12F, MSC Onarimon Building, 3-20-1 Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003 Map here >

Organizer

Rina Iwata, UI Designer / Art Director, 2D-lab, Planet Design Studio, C&R Creative Studios With 17 years of experience in the gaming industry, she served as UI Lead and Art Director for Square Enix's HD-2D title 'Live A Live.' She has led UI design on three console titles and one arcade game, and contributed as a UI conceptor for PC games. With nearly 10 years of experience developing with Unreal Engine, her work extends beyond game UI into figures, merchandise, packaging, and novelty items. As a chibi-style illustrator, she has created and released works for over 15 licensed titles. Her diverse background includes experience in the toy and food industries (including a restaurant in Asakusa), giving her strengths in both design and communication. In 2026, she received the Grand Prize (First Place in Category) at her calligraphy association. She has served as a judge at CEDEC's PERACON and delivered lectures on UI at study sessions hosted by Historia, actively sharing her expertise.

Speaker

Norimichi Ohtani, UI Designer, 2D-lab, Planet Design Studio, C&R Creative Studios Primarily focused on UI design for consumer and mobile games. Over his 14-year career, he has gained broad experience from concept planning and wireframing to UI design. He also possesses deep expertise in 3D design, including motion graphics and visual effects. Currently, he writes a serial article on UI creation using Unreal Engine for CGWORLD magazine. He also serves as an instructor for the Game UI/UX Design course at C&R Creative Academy, which trains professionals in the CG and gaming industries. While working on development projects, he actively expands knowledge at the intersection of UI and engine technology, focusing on creating practical and useful curricula for UI designers.

What to Bring · Two business cards · (If available) A notebook PC with Unreal Engine installed ※A hands-on session will be available alongside the UE demonstration, allowing attendees to try operations firsthand. ※Participation in the hands-on session is optional. You may attend and observe the demo even without a PC. ※Please install the latest version of Unreal Engine on your device prior to the event.

<For Those Planning Hands-on Participation> Participants wishing to join the hands-on session must bring a PC with Unreal Engine already installed. Please note the following in advance: · No support will be provided on-site for software installation or initial setup. · It is your responsibility to confirm your PC's system requirements and settings beforehand. · We may be unable to assist if your device fails to operate properly on the day. ※Recommended PC specifications for the hands-on session can be found via the registration form: https://go.creativevillage.ne.jp/l/924692/2026-06-02/2nz9lv

Capacity 50 participants

Admission Free

Host Planet Design Studio|C&R Creative Studios

▼Event Details and Registration https://go.creativevillage.ne.jp/l/924692/2026-06-02/2nz9lv *Deadline: July 17, 2026 (Fri) 19:00

【Inquiries】 CREEK & RIVER Co., Ltd. Planet Design Studio|C&R Creative Studios Contact: "This Skill I've Been Curious About!" – UI Designer Networking Event Organizing Team Email: pns-event [at] hq.cri.co.jp *To prevent spam, the email address is displayed with '[at]' instead of '@'. When contacting us, please replace '[at]' with '@' (half-width).

Unreal Engine® is a trademark or registered trademark of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States and elsewhere.

<About C&R Creative Studios> C&R Creative Studios is Japan's largest creative development studio operated by CREEK & RIVER Co. Originally established in 2002 as an in-house studio for video and web production, it has steadily expanded into game, web, video, XR, CG, animation, advertising, manga, novels, architecture, and fashion. In 2021, all these studios were unified under the name 'C&R Creative Studios.' Today, it comprises around 2,000 creators involved in over 6,000 projects annually. https://crdg.jp/

【About CREEK & RIVER Co.】 Founded in 1990, CREEK & RIVER Co. is committed to 'enhancing the lifelong value of professionals' and 'contributing to clients' value creation.' The company operates in agency services (dispatching and placement), production services (development and contracting), and rights management (planning, development, and distribution of intellectual property) for professionals in film, games, web, advertising, publishing, authors, performing arts, architecture, AI/DX, and athletes. As part of the C&R Group, it also operates in healthcare, IT, accounting, legal, fashion, food, life sciences, CXO, and agriculture, expanding its reach to 18 professional fields.

Website: https://www.cri.co.jp/ X: https://twitter.com/creekcrv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creekandriver note: https://note.com/creek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cr.creekandriver YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS9MHzddqWKsOAgmUnTgxIg

▼Drone-shot company introduction video now available!

https://youtu.be/2YRqMPcsv3o

▼Discover the origins of C&R: Brand site 'Go Beyond the Limit' https://www.cri.co.jp/gobeyond/