As a person with a hearing disability, one thing I’m often told when meeting someone for the first time is, “This is the first time I’ve had a chance to talk at length with someone with a disability.”
People of foreign nationality, people with disabilities, transgender people…
We know that people come from all kinds of backgrounds, but have never interacted with them.
A design company that questioned this situation is teaming up with artists with disabilities to hold a collection aimed at realizing an “inclusive society.” We went to hear more about it.
The information presented here is current as of when this article was published in October 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the DESIGN GOALs PROJECT?
The DESIGN GOALs PROJECT is an initiative run by the General Incorporated Association DESIGN GOALs, in which artists with disabilities and designers form project teams to create designs requested by companies.
Much art by people with disabilities is created within the framework of “leisure support”—a preparatory stage for employment and social participation—and is often not intended to generate profit.
However, the DESIGN GOALs PROJECT run by the General Incorporated Association DESIGN GOALs is a project that operates on the principle that
recognizing the value of designs by creators with disabilities and guaranteeing them compensation can lead to social participation and income for people with disabilities.
This is the philosophy behind the project.
Companies that participate in the project also benefit by contributing to society.
What is the 4th Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024?
The Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection is an event organized by the General Incorporated Association DESIGN GOALs. It will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 (substitute holiday), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
As with the previous, third collection, the theme is the Takahashi River Basin, and 28 businesses connected through art by people with disabilities will gather at the Kojima Civic Exchange Center.
Please see the images below for details about the exhibitors.
Interview with the organizer
We spoke with organizer Takahashi Kyoe about her thoughts on holding the 4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 and what visitors can look forward to on the day.
What first drew your attention to art by people with disabilities?
Takahashi (name omitted)
I run a design company called FIL DESIGN. For two years, I was involved in planning and operations as the secretariat for the “Design Business Development Project Utilizing Art by People with Disabilities,” which began as a project of the Okayama Prefecture Bizen Prefectural Office.
Many of the people with disabilities I met there need support in their daily lives. However, I realized that many of them can create work of such high quality that if we provide an environment suited to them, we can commission them to do work as a company. There are also many who create wonderful works as artists in their own right.
Despite this, people with disabilities often cannot expect a stable income through disability employment. I wanted to pay them fairly, even though they need support tailored to their disabilities, and so I started the DESIGN GOALs PROJECT.
I hear that 28 businesses will be gathering for the 4th Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024. Will it be a market-style event like last time?
Takahashi
That’s right.
Before we began holding events as the Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection, I was personally involved with the “Loco Loco Marche” held in Kurashiki.
Loco Loco Marche was launched to promote agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, not only agricultural producers but also people with disabilities who made sweets and handmade goods at welfare facilities were looking for ways to connect with customers, so agricultural producers and welfare service providers naturally began holding markets together.
Eating, playing, and drinking
These are some of the things everyone can enjoy, regardless of whether they have a disability. Seeing all kinds of people, with and without disabilities, mingling and enjoying Loco Loco Marche made me want to try doing something similar myself.
Many of the exhibitors at this 4th Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 are also people I met through Loco Loco Marche.
Was the DESIGN GOALs Collection a market-style event from the beginning?
Takahashi
No. At first, we held a presentation of works created by people with disabilities and companies as a report meeting for the “Design Business Development Project Utilizing Art by People with Disabilities,” which began as a project of the Okayama Prefecture Bizen Prefectural Office.
But I wanted to create an atmosphere that would be welcoming to people who don’t usually interact with people with disabilities, rather than holding only a formal “presentation” event…
That’s when my experience with Loco Loco Marche came to mind. Many of the vendors at Loco Loco Marche worked in partnership with businesses employing people with disabilities.
So, for the DESIGN GOALs Collection, I wanted to invite exhibitors whose production processes involve people with disabilities, even if they aren’t directly working at the stalls, and create a market-like atmosphere.
The businesses I consulted with began saying, “We’d like you to help revitalize the Kojima area,” so we hold the DESIGN GOALs Collection at the Kojima Civic Exchange Center. This is the third time we’ve held it at the Kojima Civic Exchange Center.
There’s a lawn outside the Kojima Civic Exchange Center where children can run around freely. There’s nothing blocking the view and no cars come through, so families with children with developmental disabilities, including hyperactivity, can spend time there with peace of mind. The building also has spacious areas in addition to the lawn, making it easy for participants who use wheelchairs to get around. I really like that.
Are there any new plans for this event?
Takahashi
The DESIGN GOALs project led to the opening of a Type B continuous employment support facility called Kamonoha in Kita Ward, Okayama City, in spring 2024. Kamonoha provides design work for people living in Okayama City, Akaiwa City, Soja City, Kurashiki City, Kibichuo Town, and other areas who have a recipient certificate. Creators active in DESIGN GOALs also use the facility.
Some users feel anxious in environments that are “different from usual,” so it’s currently quite difficult to have people come and see what Kamonoha is normally like. So this time, we’ll show a video of users doing creative work at Kamonoha.
I hope people will come and see what we’re usually like.
What would you recommend visitors do to enjoy the event?
Takahashi
The “Kirari Button Badge Shop” and portrait drawing by “Classis” are workshops hosted by creators with disabilities. I’d like people to start by experiencing them together with the creators with disabilities.
When you get hungry, head to the food vendors. Some are businesses whose production processes involve people with disabilities, while others are actively working to reduce food waste in the Takahashi River Basin. They’re all confident in the taste of their food, so be sure to fill up.
And before you leave, please take home a souvenir. Kamonoha users are currently creating works especially for this day.
What would you like participants to take away from the event?
Takahashi
This event is about “having fun together,” regardless of whether you have a disability.
There’s so much art by people with disabilities that is wonderful as design. I want more people to know about it.
I have children with disabilities myself. One works washing cars, pulling weeds, and cleaning at a Type B continuous employment support facility other than Kamonoha.
The other attends a special needs school and is working hard at internships in preparation for regular employment. Raising children like them has made me feel that while elementary and junior high schools have special needs classes, there are very few students with disabilities in high schools, universities, and vocational schools. And yet, society is calling for the promotion of employment for people with disabilities.
But wouldn’t it be difficult for both people with disabilities and those around them if someone who has never interacted with people with disabilities after high school suddenly has to do so in society? That’s why I think it would be good to have more people who have interacted with people with disabilities through events like markets that anyone can enjoy.
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
Takahashi
Regardless of whether you have a disability, I’d be happy if participants could experience things together, eat the same food, and casually interact with one another and with the exhibitors.
We look forward to seeing you there.
From the Writer
I also attended the Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 held in May 2024.
I was especially struck by the sight of participants happily buying works, saying, “I’ve been wanting one of this artist’s pieces!” and people of all ages, with and without disabilities, lining up to take part in the workshops.
Why not visit the Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 on November 4 (Monday, substitute holiday) and enjoy 【eating, drinking, playing, and making】?
4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 Information
| Name | 4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, November 4, 2024 (substitute holiday), 10 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Location | 2-2-38 Ajino, Kojima, Kurashiki City |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission ※Workshops: 300–500 yen; goods and food: from 200 yen |
| Website | DESIGN GOALs official Instagram |
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