Mitani is a professor of Information and Systems at University of Tsukuba. His research interests center on computer graphics, in particular geometric modeling techniques and their application to origami design. The origami artworks created by him have features that are three-dimensional shapes with smooth curved surfaces. His main books are “3D Origami Art” and “Curved Origami Design”. He was appointed as a Japan Cultural Envoy from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2019.
Origami,which makes various shapes by folding a sheet of paper, is familiar to many generations and is loved by many people around the world. In Japan, where the lecturer is from, origami is one of the traditional cultures. The lecturer uses a computer to design origami based on mathematical theory. His works are characterized by geometric and abstract shapes and curved folds.
The origami with its base color of white and the shade on the curved surface is very different from the conventional origami consisting of straight lines and flat surfaces. His works bring us new Kansei on origami. In addition, he was appointed as a Japan Cultural Envoy for the year 2019, and plans to visit eight Asian countries to exchange ideas through origami workshops, exhibitions. Through this lecture, he aims to share his knowledge and splits gained through traveling around the countries, and ideas of Kansei.
Professor, Kyoto Design Lab, Kyoto Institute of Technology
Julia studied fine art in the UK and Japan and is an international authority on inclusive design. In 2000, she initiated the pioneering and influential Challenge Workshops programme at the RCA. Her work was the subject of an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2010.
In May 2014, she became Professor at the Kyoto Institute of Technology, charged with setting up KYOTO Design Lab, as a centre for interdisciplinary design and innovation. Two projects she directed bringing together science and design won a Dutch Design Award in 2016 while another won the Best Idea award at the 2019 Copenhagen Fashion Film Festival. Julia was included in Design Week’s Hot 50 list of people who had most influenced the design world in 2010.
In this keynote, she will speak about the relationship between inclusive design, Kansei and Kansei Engineering.
The 2020 International Conference on Kansei Engineering and Emotion Research
7th - 9th September 2020, Tokyo Japan