「デザインとビジネスの交差をイタリアで学ぶ旅」2025年5月参加者募集
Program Overview and Objectives
This program, set in the northern Italian region of Langhe and the design capital Milan, offers Japanese companies a chance to gain a new perspective by experiencing the "Territorio," where local business and design are directly connected. While "Territorio" literally translates to "territory," the Italian term encompasses the identity of a region shaped by its industries, culture, and history, in contrast to the administrative connotations of the English term 'territory' and the French 'terroir,' which emphasizes the natural soil for wine production. The journey to learn about the intersection of design and business in Italy will officially start in May 2025 after a trial run in September 2024. The aim is to go beyond simple information gathering by allowing participants to engage with local examples and experience regionally-rooted efforts, resulting in innovative insights that surpass traditional perspectives. The ultimate goal of this program is to help companies discover new possibilities for themselves.
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Background of Implementation
Italy, where business and design intersect
As the complexity of the economic and social environment increases, companies are constantly challenged to hone their strengths. We now live in a complicated era where local connections are emphasized in global activities. One of the key phrases to unravel this question is the word "design" in management. However, understanding what this means is not easy, and it can be said that in our country, the understanding has been limited to learning about "methods" such as design thinking.
On the other hand, Italy, which boasts various designs that can be admired worldwide, is a place where business and design are deeply interconnected. We have planned a journey to actually visit and experience the "regions" of Italy as a model, to understand how design and business intersect and create meaning.
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Implementation Schedule
Visit to the Langhe region, Alba and Milan
The visit will be in northern Italy, Piedmont, known for wine in the Langhe region. Centered around the city of Alba, participants will visit local businesses, government offices, and universities, gaining various insights through dialogues with local people.
After the stay in Alba, we will move to Milan, where we will visit museums and have lectures and discussions by faculty members from the Design Department of the Politecnico di Milano. Time will be set aside for participants to organize and digest the insights gained in Alba from the perspective of design and business.
Destination: Langhe region in northern Italy, Alba, and Milan
Duration and accommodation:
Evening of May 25, 2025, local gathering (Alba)
Morning of May 31, 2025, local dissolution (Milan)
May 25 to 28, stay in Alba (3 nights)
May 28 to 31, stay in Milan (3 nights)
Alba
Gathering in Alba, Langhe region, northern Italy on May 25 (Sunday)
From May 26 (Monday) to May 28 (Wednesday), we will visit local stakeholders including businesses, government agencies, and the University of Food Science in the Langhe region, exploring features of business models rooted in culture and history, and not limited to the wine industry, conducting a multifaceted inspection of IT companies, etc.
Afternoon of May 28, moving from Langhe to Milan
Milan
May 29 (Thursday) touring design museums and art galleries in Milan
May 30 (Friday) special lectures and discussions at the Design Department of the Politecnico di Milano, providing time for exchange of opinions with local faculty and experts to contemplate and derive meaning from the intersection of design and business based on experiences in Alba.
Optional programs (the following programs are also planned as options)
1. After the program concludes, lectures and workshops on design at the Politecnico di Milano.
2. An online program with similar content as in 1.
3. A continuous follow-up program after the conclusion of this program.
〇 Video of the trial run in September 2024 is currently available on our company website:
https://www.knotsassociates.com/articles/1229/
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Program Overview
◆ Program Cost (excluding tax)
500,000 yen / person
(Costs may fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates or program details)
◆ Inclusions in the Program Cost
・Inspection costs in Alba (including transportation)
・Accommodation costs during the program period＊
・Lunch and dinner organized by the program (around 4 times)
・Lectures at the Politecnico di Milano
＊Please consult if you arrange your accommodation.
◆ Exclusions from the Program Cost
・Round-trip airfare to Italy
・Transport from the airport to Alba
・Transport from Milan to the airport
・Transport within Milan
・Other food expenses
◆ Capacity
8 participants (minimum of 5 participants required)
◆ Regarding Travel Insurance
No specific insurance company is designated, but participation is mandatory.
◆ Dates
・Tour application deadline: March 31, 2025
・Information regarding payment deadlines will be sent via email after the application is completed and after the application deadline.
〇Recruitment Overview PDF Brochure
〇 Video of the trial run in September 2024 is currently available on our company website:
https://www.knotsassociates.com/articles/1229/
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Application and Inquiry
Application has closed.
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Organizer Introduction
Hironori Anzai, Director of De-Tales Ltd.
A designer of business and culture based in Tokyo and Milan. He has participated in numerous proposals for partnerships between European and Asian companies, product planning, and sales strategies. At the same time, he has a deep connection to the field of design. Since the 2000s, he has been involved in the usability and localization of electronic device interfaces for the European market, and has started initiatives to promote a way of understanding different cultures through design known as the "localization map." Since his involvement as a supervisor in Berganti's "Design that Breaks Through" in 2017, he has worked as an evangelist for meaningful innovation, currently exploring a new significance of luxury while also researching design culture that encourages social innovation.
His publications include "Made in Italy: Why It Is Strong" (Shobunsha), "What Are Growing SMEs and Ventures in the World Thinking?" and "In Italy, Fukushima Is." (both Cross Media Publishing), "European Perspectives, Japanese Perspectives" (Nihon Hyoronsha). Co-authored works include "New Luxury: 10 Lectures Creating Economy by Culture" and "What Comes After Design" (Cross Media Publishing), and "Why Is 'Maruchan' the National Food of Mexico?" (Nikkei BP). Translations include Manzini's "Everyday Politics" (BNN) and "Design of Close Proximity that Changes the City through Care and Digital" (X Design Publishing). Supervised work includes Berganti's "Design that Breaks Through" (Nikkei BP).
De-Tales Ltd. (https://www.de-tales.com/)
Kyoko Watanabe, COO of knots associates Inc.
・Corporate human resource development (Value creation/Next generation management training/System design), project support
・External director of Netyear Group Inc.
Special appointment assistant professor at Keio University Graduate School
Studying systems engineering at Keio University Graduate School, since 2015 a special assistant professor at the same graduate school. Utilizing methodology and thinking to perceive things as interdisciplinary systems, supporting new business development, regional revitalization projects, and human resource development for companies. Co-founded a system design consulting firm in 2019. Since 2023, in pursuit of meaningful and sustainable system design, she has been engaging in dialogues and experiences (design discourse) in Milan, Italy.
knots associates Inc. (https://www.knotsassociates.com/)
