One of the phrases I often hear when I meet someone for the first time as a person with a hearing impairment is "I had a slow conversation with a person with a disability for the first time".
There are people from various backgrounds, such as foreigners, people with disabilities, and transgender individuals... I know that there are various backgrounds, but I have never interacted with them.
A design company that felt doubt about this situation has teamed up with artists with disabilities to implement a collection aimed at realizing a "symbiotic society," and I went to hear about it.
What is the DESIGN GOALs PROJECT
The DESIGN GOALs PROJECT is a business that the general incorporated association DESIGN GOALs is working on, where creators and designers with disabilities form a project team to produce designs requested by companies.
Art by people with disabilities often exists within the framework of "leisure support," which is not profit-oriented and is aimed at preparing for employment and social participation.
However, the DESIGN GOALs PROJECT, which the general incorporated association DESIGN GOALs is working on, is based on the idea that recognizing the value of designs by creators with disabilities and ensuring compensation leads to social participation and income for people with disabilities.
There are also benefits for companies participating in the project, as it contributes to social responsibility.
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, and it will be held on November 4, 2024 (Monday, public holiday) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Like the previous 3rd event, it will gather 28 stores connected by the theme of the Takahashi River basin with art by people with disabilities at the Kojima Community Center.
Please check the details of the exhibitors in the image below.
Interview with the Organizer
I interviewed Takahashi Kyoe, the organizer, about her thoughts on the 4th Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 and how to enjoy the event on the day.
Could you tell us what made you focus on art by people with disabilities?
Takahashi (no honorifics)
I originally run a design company called FIL DESIGN. For two years, I was involved in planning and management as the secretariat of the "Design Business Development Project Utilizing Art by People with Disabilities," which started as a project by the Bizen Regional Bureau of Okayama Prefecture.
Many of the people with disabilities I met there need support in their daily lives. However, I realized that if we just provide an environment suitable for them, many of them can create high-quality work that we can request as a company. There are also many who produce wonderful works as artists.
Despite this, it is often the case that stable income cannot be expected from employment for people with disabilities. I wanted to ensure that they receive proper compensation for their high skills, even if they require support according to their type of disability, which is why I started the DESIGN GOALs PROJECT.
I hear that the 4th Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 will gather 28 stores. Will it be an event like a market as before?
Takahashi
That's right.
Before we held the Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection as an event, I was personally involved in the "Locoroco Marche" held in Kurashiki.
The Locoroco Marche was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote agriculture. At that time, not only agricultural producers but also people with disabilities were looking for ways to connect with customers through sweets and handmade products made at welfare facilities, so naturally, agriculture and welfare facilities collaborated to hold a market.
Eating, playing, and drinking
These are things that everyone can enjoy, regardless of whether they have a disability or not. Seeing various people enjoying the market together, regardless of their disabilities, at the Locoroco Marche made me want to try it too.
Many exhibitors from the Locoroco Marche are also scheduled to participate in this 4th Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024.
Was the DESIGN GOALs Collection in a market-like format from the beginning?
Takahashi
No. Initially, it started as a presentation meeting for the "Design Business Development Project Utilizing Art by People with Disabilities," which was a project by the Bizen Regional Bureau of Okayama Prefecture, where works created by people with disabilities and companies were presented.
However, I wanted to create an atmosphere that would allow people who usually have no interaction with people with disabilities to feel comfortable entering, not just a formal "presentation meeting"...
What came to mind at that time was my experience at the Locoroco Marche. Many of the exhibitors there were also collaborating with businesses where people with disabilities work.
So, at the DESIGN GOALs Collection, I wanted to create a market-like atmosphere by recruiting exhibitors where people with disabilities are involved in the production process, even if they are not directly standing at the booth.
As I consulted with the stores, voices began to emerge saying, "We want to liven up the Kojima area," so the DESIGN GOALs Collection is held at the Kojima Community Center. This will be the third time we are holding it there.
The Kojima Community Center has a lawn outside where children can run freely. There are no obstructions to visibility, and no cars can enter, so families with children who have developmental disabilities, such as hyperactivity, can spend time there with peace of mind. Additionally, not only the lawn area but also the spacious interior can be used, making it easy for participants who come in wheelchairs to move around comfortably.
Are there any new projects this time?
Takahashi
As a result of the DESIGN GOALs project, a Type B continuous employment support facility called Kamonohashi opened in the spring of 2024 in Kita Ward, Okayama City. Kamonohashi is engaged in design work for individuals with recipient certificates living in Okayama City, Akaiwa City, Soja City, Kurashiki City, and Kibichuo Town, and it is also utilized by creators active in DESIGN GOALs.
Since some users feel anxious in "different" environments, it is quite difficult to show them what Kamonohashi is usually like. Therefore, this time we will be screening a video summarizing the activities of users at Kamonohashi video.
I hope you will see what we are usually like.
What recommendations do you have for enjoying the event on the day?
Takahashi
Workshops for caricatures by "Kirari's Badge Shop" and "Kurasis" will be hosted by creators with disabilities. I would like you to first experience it together with the creators with disabilities.
If you get hungry, head to the food stalls. Here too, stores where people with disabilities are involved in the production process and stores that are actively addressing food loss in the Takahashi River basin will be participating. All of them are confident in their flavors, so please fill your stomach well.
On your way home, please consider taking home some souvenirs. Currently, users of Kamonohashi are also creating works for this day.
What do you want participants to feel?
Takahashi
This event aims for everyone to enjoy together, regardless of whether they have a disability or not.
There are many wonderful designs in art by people with disabilities. I want many people to know about it.
The reason is that I have a child with a disability. One of them works at a different Type B continuous employment support facility doing tasks like car washing, weeding, and cleaning.
The other one attends a special support school and is working hard on internships for general employment. Having raised such children, I feel that while there are special support classes in elementary and junior high schools, there are hardly any students with disabilities in high schools, universities, and vocational schools. Nevertheless, society is calling for the promotion of employment for people with disabilities.
However, for someone who has never interacted with people with disabilities after high school, it can be difficult to suddenly engage with them in society, both for the individuals and for those around them. Therefore, I think it would be great if more people who have interacted with people with disabilities could increase through events like markets that everyone can enjoy.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Takahashi
I would be happy if participants could experience together, eat the same food... and interact casually with each other, both among participants and between exhibitors and participants.
We look forward to your visit.
Conclusion
I also participated in the Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 held in May 2024.
On that day, it was very impressive to see participants happily purchasing works, saying, "I wanted this artist's work!" and the sight of people of all ages, regardless of disabilities, lining up to participate in workshops.
On November 4 (Sunday, public holiday), how about visiting the Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 to enjoy 【eating, drinking, playing, and creating】?
Data on the 4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024
| Name | 4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | November 4, 2024 (Monday, public holiday) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM |
| Location | 2-2-38 Ajino, Kojima, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission * Workshops 300-500 yen, merchandise and food from 200 yen |
| Website | Official Instagram of DESIGN GOALs |
