In a class called Tourism Business Model Design Theory, I gave an assignment to "Propose a new product plan using 'Miura-ori'."
The ultimate goal of this course is to make full use of the knowledge and skills you have learned, and plan an innovative business model to make it a lively shopping street that the younger generation visits, given by a shopping street near the university. Propose a proposal" is to realize the mission, but first of all, I asked them to challenge a simple design task.
"Miura-ori" is a folding method devised in 1970 by Dr. Kosuke Miura of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the University of Tokyo.The feature is that a small folded item can be expanded with a single movement.
An acquaintance of mine at a paper manufacturing company who was struggling with new product development asked me if I would consider the flexible and innovative ideas of the students.I had just finished studying design thinking, so I thought it would be perfect for practically acquiring knowledge and skills for creating ideas, so I took it up as an assignment.
The students had only two weeks to submit their ideas, but they submitted ideas that were more attractive and novel than expected.I would like to introduce it here, but if it is adopted, various legal restrictions will arise, so I will refrain from doing so.First, I did a rubric evaluation, but I sent everyone's project proposals to the company.
I received this reply from the company: “Thank you very much for your proposal. I have many ideas, and I can see how inflexible I am. I will consider it as soon as possible." If it is adopted, you will receive a product, and if it is sold and becomes a hit, you may be rewarded.I'm looking forward to it.
Those students should now find time to go out for observation surveys of shopping districts.I visit shopping streets by myself, take pictures while making full use of my five senses, and conduct in-depth interviews by talking to shopkeepers and customers.Of course, I told the people in the shopping district in advance that the students would go to investigate individually, so they seem to be kind to me.
This observation method has already been practiced several times in class using photographs, so I'm sure they are doing their best, even though they are struggling.In yesterday's class, you listened to a lecture by a president of an acquaintance who has actually made great achievements in regional branding and product development all over the country, so I'm sure you're motivated.
This is still the first stage of research activities, but I'm looking forward to the report from now on.
Faculty of International Communication Department of Tourism Makoto Yoshida
⇒ Faculty of International Communication Department of Tourism page
