Moe Kobayashi
Japan
CAREER Enrolled in April 2014; Completed master’s degree in March 2016
While I was studying at Keio University’s Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC), I learned how enjoyable concept design is, starting with nothing to create something, and became engrossed. Although I created numerous concept designs, it was rare to produce something I was satisfied with, or which received recognition from others. It was very much a “product of chance.”
How can this “batting average” be raised knowingly and not by chance? It was when fretting over this that I came across “design thinking” and the Keio University Graduate School of Media Design (KMD).
At KMD, you take on the challenge of creating something from nothing together with people who have a diverse range of viewpoints and experiences, receiving a lot of stimulation. This allowed me to receive the training necessary to increase my “batting average” for creating successful designs. Moreover, being able to learn about the “form” of design thinking also had a big impact. I began to accept and trust my bodily feelings more over what my head was telling me, leading to more creative and fulfilling outputs.
Now, after graduating and working at an advertising agency, I established a traditional Chinese medicine lifestyle brand called “DAYLILY.” I started the company together with Yiting Wang from Taiwan whom I met at KMD, and we are struggling each day to become a brand that represents Asia. From here on out, I want to keep challenging myself to extend the reach of our “hit ball” to further strengthen our presence.
(This article was written in March 2019.)
