PROJECT

aeru

Design and product development for a traditional craft brand targeting children ages 0-6. Created a new market for traditional industries and received numerous awards, including the Good Design Award.

WHY

To connect disappearing
Japanese traditional crafts 
to and for the future. 

Japan takes pride in producing crafts of Japanese masterpieces that are created by traditional artisans.  The sales of their traditional industries have declined by 80% in the last 40 years. The aging of artisans is a social issue, where the most skilled craftsmen are now said to be about 80 years old. Due to the decline, there is a need to train the next generation of artisans. Japanese traditional crafts are in a crisis, where it is said to disappear in 10 years if we do not act towards the future now.

Changes in traditional craft production values and employee numbers

Percentage of experience in purchasing products from local and traditional industries

HOW

A traditional
industrial brand
tailored for
0-6 years olds.​​​​​​​

We began by supporting for social entrepreneurs of traditional craft brand from the beginning of establishment called “aeru,” a traditional brand for infants between 0 to 6 years old. We directed the overall branding and also the products. We aimed at none other than our future customers for them to become more familiar and accustomed to these traditions, delivered from early childhood. A logo mark that expands outside the Hinomaru red dot indicates a traditional Japan. The circular lattice pattern, which is said to be a “Shippou” (the seven treasures), is designed as a variable logo, overlapping at various angles. We produced this logo mark to express the word “harmony,” connecting Japanese traditions to modern lifestyles.


NOSIGNER carries out most of the product and store designs, collaborating to develop numerous products that apprehend children’s happiness through traditional industries. By producing fees from brands royalty-compensations, we were able to conduct direction of the entire brand, which is usually difficult for social startups.​​​​​​​

Spill-resistant bowl

By designing a two-step curve inside the vessel, the child’s hand cannot slide under the vessel, preventing any spilling. The inner curve doubles as a function, able to stack with containers even from other production areas. The bowls were designed for one to collect dishes of various production areas of Japan.

Yamanaka Lacquer ware 
Tsugaru Pottery 
Tobe Pottery
Otani Pottery 

Spill resistant cup

We designed a cup with a firm finger catch to resist ‬dropping‭. ‬A‮ ‬handle was not attached for‮ ‬children to hold firmly with both hands voluntarily‭. ‬It is also a small cup as one serving containing a simple shape, suitable for stacking‭.‬​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Koishihara Pottery 
Tsugaru Lacquer ware
Ryukyu Glassware 

Easy scoop spoon

We designed a spoon with a triangular handle for children to hold the spoon firmly, built with a slight angle to the plate to scoop easily.

The first soup bowl

The first soup bowl

A bowl made of Echizen lacquerware for the first time‭. We pursued a lifetime design as a children’s soup container‭, as well as a cup for beverages such as tea and coffee‭.‬

Safety scissors

Safety scissors

We made scissors made of hard wood, which is safe even for use by a child. Even if you choose to use paper, you can easily cut through it.

aeru baby robe set

We collaborated with a traditional brand called “aeru,” whose products specially made for 0-6-year-old children. We designed the packaging for a gift set of clothes for a newborn baby. A sweater, a towel, and a pair of socks dyed with “Hon-aizome” (a Japanese traditional indigo blue color) neatly wrapped like beautiful sweets.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Tokushima Indigo dye 

Baby apron

We used natural organic cotton fabric to complement the pureness of the child. The touch is soft and perfect for the child’s delicate skin. With its simple design, it can be used efficiently for any outfit.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Child futon bed​​​​​​​

We designed a futon to protect the warmth of the child’s body, open widely at the neck. It is carefully made one by one by the hands of Kyoto artisans.

aeru Meguro shop​​​​​​​

We designed the shop space of “aeru Meguro,” the  first directly managed store for “aeru.” It is a small 53.26 square meter store, designed around a large mobile shelf that responds flexibly to changes throughout the seasons and changing circumstances. Eight-tiered shelves with various heights turn like a fan centering at one point, and as a matter of course, can become a desk or a bench, changing according to the situation, a space full of Japanese craftsmanship works.​​​​​​​

WILL

A beacon of hope
for traditional industries,
as one of Japan’s leading
social entrepreneurs.

As a female president, Rika Yajima started this company as a student entrepreneur with NOSIGNER, where we were responsible for running side by side for the total design direction. In the seven years since its’ foundation, we received business awards such as  APEC BEST AWARD  as a social enterprise representative of Asia, including many design awards such as  Good Design Award . It has been widely recognized as one of the most famous cases for traditional industrial social businesses in Japan and continues to create new markets for children within traditional industries.​​​​​​​

INFORMATION
What
aeru
When
2012
Client
Scope
Branding / Logo / CI Guideline / Packaging / Product / Business card / Promotional items / Concept Development / Space / Interior / Promotion Strategy Support / Motion logo
Award
  • [baby dish]
    GDA Good Design Award
    (2013)
  • [baby robe set]
    Kids Design Award: Special Jury Award
    DFA Design for Asia Awards: Silver Award
    (2012)
  • [aeru cup]
    GDA Good Design Award
    (2014)
  • [aeru Merguro Shop]
    DSA Award
    DFA Design for Asia Award: Silver Award
    (2015)
SDGs
  • 質の高い教育をみんなに
  • 働きがいも経済成長も
  • 産業と技術革新の基盤をつくろう
  • 住み続けられるまちづくりを
  • つくる責任つかう責任
  • パートナーシップで目標を達成しよう
CREDIT
Art Direction
NOSIGNER (Eisuke Tachikawa)
Product Design
NOSIGNER (Eisuke Tachikawa)
Graphic Design
NOSIGNER (Eisuke Tachikawa, Kaori Hasegawa)
Space Design
NOSIGNER (Eisuke Tachikawa, Kunihiko Sato)

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