MESSAGE | iida AWARD 2010

2010.1.28

Message from KDDI

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the many students who took interest in our new initiative, the "iida AWARD." We were pleased with the large number of entries though it was just our first year. We look forward to collaborating with the winners in the workshops and to commercializing their products. Expect great things from iida in the future.

Koichi Yanagimoto President, Glyph: As President of Glyph, Mr. Yanagimoto helps clients with marketing and corporate direction, product development, exhibition planning and production, and publishing. Mr. Yanagimoto also lectures on design. His written works include "Design=Social".

Satoshi Takamatsu Founder & Chief Creative Director, ground: Mr. Takamatsu worked in account management and the creative division for ad agency Dentsu before establishing creative agency "ground" in 2005. Major works include Nissin/Cup Noodle’s "NO BORDER" and "FREEDOM".Past awards include the Gold Prize at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival and the Grand Prix award at the Clio Awards.

Yasutoshi Matsuda Account Planner, Shingata Brand Institute Inc.: Mr. Matsuda worked in account management, HR and corporate planning at ad agency Dentsu before being assigned to handle marketing for the KDDI account. In July 2003, he joined Shingata Inc. and moved to Shingata Brand Institute in June 2006.

Yoshihiro Komuta President and Design Producer, Kom & Co. Design Corp.: Mr. Komuta joined Casio Computer Co., Ltd. after graduating from Tama Art University. He then moved to KDDI Corporation and launched the "au design project". He struck out on his own in 2006 and has handled the design production of "au" and "iida" since 2008.

Yoko Kawashima Marketing Manager, Business Development Division, Itochu Fashion System Co., Ltd.: Educated at the School of Commerce of Waseda University, Ms. Kawashima joined Itochu Fashion System Co., Ltd. in 1984. Her work focuses on the analysis of market and consumer trends from the perspective of fashion. Written works include "A BEAMS Strategy" (PHP) and "Isetan People" (Nihon Keizai Shimbun).

Kayoko Hirao President, HiRAO INC: As President of HiRAO INC, a fashion, art and international communication agency, Ms. Hirao specializes in branding both in Japan and abroad.

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Economic Department, Trade Counsellor Jan-Emile van Rossum: I would like to thank KDDI - iida for providing the designers of the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and the Eindhoven Design Academy with a valuable chance to apply and test their acquired skills in this competition which is hosted in an environment - country, culture - far removed from their regular frame of reference. From another perspective, I am also convinced that the input of these students will constitute an important stimulus for KDDI - iida.