Interview with Misaki Tanaka
I am a serial social entrepreneur and social designer in Japan. While design is a wonderful way to inspire people and change behavior, I believe that it has also contributed to the creation of many…
Design Legend Interview
2 January 2025
I have never studied design in school or a studio. I study in my own way and place, especially learning from people who have experienced social problems. My design teacher is like people's words, voices, and experiences.
I become a designer for solving social issues like climate change, human rights and more around the world.
When I first designed, I didn't think I was a designer because designers I know are so professional and educated. But after I designed to solve some social issues in some countries, my friend, a designer, told me, "You are already a designer." I didn't choose to become a designer, and I wasn't forced to become one. I just become by my actions.
"Social Design". It means that I believe design can be a solution to social issues. But also, Design can be a weapon like pushing people to buy many things more than people need. So we designers need to think ontologically design and it's meaning for people and future, not only clients.
I recommend going to the place where social issues happen. See what is happening in our society.
Designer Interview
2 January 2025
I am not what we call a "trained designer. I make my living by standing in the field of social issues, listening to the voices of those involved in the issues, creating the necessary solutions on the spot, working with those involved to find solutions, and creating solutions. I did not want to be a designer, but rather I became a designer in the broadest sense of the word by continuing to create what was naturally necessary.
SOLIT is a company started to realize an all-inclusive society in which diverse people and the global environment are taken into consideration. We develop all of our products and designs using inclusive design methods that involve the parties involved in diverse issues from the planning stage.
I believe that design is a "function" that has the power to move people's hearts and change their behavior. We must not forget that it is sometimes a double-edged sword. Depending on how it is used, it can change society and create a better future, but I also think it is a "dangerous thing" that can also be used in a political and violent way.
I like to design works that expand the possibilities of people's lives, that enable them to do things they could not do before, and that are tied to solving social issues!
By my definition of "design," I would say that "human" itself is the most beautiful, delicate and diverse design. Even without using things or creating unnecessary things, I believe that human beings are the ones who have the full potential to move people's hearts and influence their words and actions.
Our first product was "clothing that anyone can wear. That was the award-winning "SOLIT.
Of course, I like graphic design, architecture, and digital design, but I also like design for "dialogue" and "communication" that is warm and rich.
It's when the people you deliberate with involve a diversity of people and include a diversity of values and ideas!
No matter how beautiful it looks, we always make sure that it is optimal for the "user. For this reason, we try to involve social minorities and users in the development process from the planning stage.
It's like flying into a world you don't know like you're on cloud nine!
At first, it is "peace of mind" that is produced by using all of my power to the best of my ability. After that, it is a feeling of joy and a desire to brush up still more.
I think it is "keep asking questions. Are you sure you want to do this? Is anyone really happy with this? Is this really good for the earth and the future? And, "Is this really good for the earth and the future? Like this.
Whether it takes into account diverse people and the global environment is a criterion of good or bad for me.
Even if there is a client or if we are the main designers, we must always check to make sure that we are not hurting anyone or anything, and sometimes we have a responsibility to point out or stop the client.
I believe that everyone is a designer in the broadest sense of the word, not just trained designers. I believe that from now on, people will be required to confront unanswerable questions through dialogue with a wide variety of people, rather than simply moving their hands and manufacturing.
So far, no exhibitions!
All designs start from the site of social issues or from the voices of those who are involved in the issues.
Basically, we use the "inclusive design" method. We design through dialogue with diverse social minorities and those who feel challenged.
I live in Tokyo, Japan. Japan's history and culture are based on Eastern thought, so I think it has a great spiritual influence on me. On the other hand, there are many aspects of the culture that are not conscientious about new things. This often makes me feel suffocated.
We have decided that we will only work with companies that want to solve social problems. We try to visit the site together and engage in dialogue on an equal footing.
Very difficult question.... No matter how much experience you have or how many external evaluations you have received, I believe there is "chemistry". I think it is important to start by getting to know each other, exposing yourselves to each other, before once you get into a business relationship!
Basically, we use the "inclusive design" method. We design through dialogue with diverse social minorities and those who feel challenged.（Same answer with 18）
Usually I use Note+Pencil, and Mac book air / iPad+Pencil. And My idea come up in Bath room with coffee;) so that's my design items!
I wake up in the morning, make a pot of coffee, open the windows and let the light in. After that, I return emails and Slacks at the cafe and talk with my friends and discuss the future. Then from there I do some design work and spend the evening relaxing and reading a book!
It would be nice to have the opportunity to interact with diverse people and get to know diverse entities, not just the already finished design!
Along with being able to create opportunities to change society and create a better future, this is a heavy responsibility.
Don't be fooled by something that only looks beautiful!
Don't assume everything!
mac book, i Pad, Note, Pencil, i Phone, that's all!
The team decides on a general schedule, but we allow plenty of time, especially since the design is not created immediately at a set time.
The shortest takes a week, the longest takes about a year.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Meeting people with values and ideologies you have never encountered before.
NPO/NGO organizations, Social Startups, and the Company who want to solve social issues with us.
This is a time for everyone to engage in an exciting dialogue prior to the production stage.
I want to focus on solving diverse social issues through design! I believe that is my mission.
Always done by teams. Some are graphic designers, some are members who do words and PR design, and others have their own strengths.
The "SOLIT!" garment that we entered and won an award for this year was created with the involvement of diverse people from the planning stage, which is what we value the most!
Mail or social media is better;)
I am Japanese, a woman, not a trained designer, a startup, and a person in the field of social issues. This intersectionality has created many barriers at times. Nevertheless, I believe that there is a world that I can see because of this position.