Osaka University of Arts Junior College (Location: Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture / President: Hidenori Tsukamoto) held a "Graduation Production Drone Show" designed and engineered by students themselves, as the culmination of the "Drone Creators Course" newly established in the regular curriculum in 2024. We are releasing a post-event report and archived footage of this initiative, which achieved the development of next-generation creators and provided a new cultural experience to the local community through industry-academia collaboration with a professional drone team.

First Work Presentation from the Regular Curriculum "Drone Creators Course"

In the spring of 2024, our college established the "Drone Creators Course" within the Department of Design and Fine Arts. This course is a curriculum that includes obtaining the national qualification of "Second Class Remote Pilot" and learning aerial photography, video editing, and creating works.

This drone show was not a one-off event. First-year students in the course learned the mechanisms of drone shows in class and were involved in its production as their work presentation, including directing and on-site execution. Some second-year students also produced drone show directing separately from their graduation exhibition works.

Osaka University of Arts Junior College x Lucas Drone

This project was realized with the cooperation of "Lucas Drone Inc." (Headquarters: Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture), which boasts top-class drone show operations in Japan, under the guidance of Specially Appointed Associate Professor Nobuhiro Matsui. Students not only engaged in design production but also learned "practical learning" necessary for realizing drone shows, such as AP control (flight control) and engineering, for six months. They systematically learned the sense of responsibility to prevent accidents and the process of sublimating the latest technology into art.

Contribution to the Local Community

Our college has been building a foundation for regional revitalization and collaboration. This drone show was held on the lawn of the Itami Campus and was open to local residents free of charge. Many local residents attended that day, and it served as a new venue for cultural exchange connecting the university and the community.

Although initially scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the date was moved up to the previous day, Tuesday, February 10, due to weather issues. Amidst the need for flexible response, 11 first-year students (3 groups) and 2 second-year students participated, proceeding with the performance with thorough safety management.

The first half featured student works (64 drones, approximately 7 minutes), showcasing a clover transforming from overlapping hearts and a fantastical waxing and waning moon. In addition to the "seagull," a symbol of the junior college, diverse motifs utilizing local characteristics such as "runways and airplanes" inspired by the nearby Itami Airport, colored the night sky. The second half, featuring the second-year students' graduation production works, depicted the process from a camera shape to taking a photo.

The latter half featured a special screening by Lucas Drone Inc. using 300 drones for approximately 11 minutes, during which the logo of "Osaka University of Arts Junior College" majestically appeared in the night sky. Attendees from the local community expressed their surprise and admiration with exclamations such as "Amazing!" and "Incredible!" The event was also live-streamed on YouTube and is currently available as an archived video.

Archived Footage Information

- Student Works (64 drones): https://youtu.be/Dei8mZpz5h0

- Special Screening (300 drones): https://youtu.be/XqIr-t8ZDLs

"Graduation Production Drone Show" Event Overview

Title: "Graduation Production Drone Show" Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Venue: Above Itami Campus, Osaka University of Arts Junior College Organizer: Osaka University of Arts Junior College Cooperation: Lucas Drone Inc.

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event