Transforming High School Education: The Impact of Design Thinking at Toyama Commercial High School

In a remarkable initiative, Toyama Commercial High School, in collaboration with the design firm hyphenate, has successfully integrated design thinking into its curriculum.
Since 2021, hyphenate has worked with Toyama Commercial High School (also known as T-Com) to develop educational programs that are fundamentally changing how students learn. This shift encourages students to engage actively in their education by posing inquiries, thinking critically, and creating tangible solutions.

Over the past two years, the success of this program is evident, resulting in T-Com surpassing its enrollment limit consecutively—ranking first in the prefecture for the 2024 academic year and second in 2025. Such achievements highlight the school's enhanced appeal and educational quality, garnering recognition both within and outside the community.

The Curriculum Revolution

The traditional model of passive learning has been replaced by a dynamic approach that encourages students to question existing norms and take action. For example, the program initiates discussions surrounding the often mundane topic of school uniforms. Rather than asking, “What will be on the test?”, students explore, “What type of uniform would I like to wear?” Thus begins a passionate inquiry driven by students’ interests.

Through this process, students learn to gather information via interviews, create prototypes, and refine their ideas based on feedback. This hands-on experience embodies the principles of design thinking, fostering critical skills like idea generation, reflection, and creativity essential for the future.

Learning Through Real Challenges

The program emphasizes real-world application, beginning with prototyping, thus allowing students to experiment with ideas right from the start. They involve fashion designers to help translate their sketches into prototypes, iterating using innovative methods like safety pins to achieve the perfect silhouette. This practical engagement not only enhances their design skills but also encourages them to delve deeper into the underlying issues related to uniforms—transforming superficial views into profound insights.

In events like TOMI SHOP, students run the entire process of sourcing to selling their designed uniforms, showcasing their creativity on stage as they perform in front of an audience. Additionally, engaging with junior high students fosters community ties while elevating their learning experiences through interaction and feedback.

Challenging Established Norms

Design thinking goes beyond mere aesthetics; it also addresses the root causes of longstanding school rules. Students actively engage in discussions surrounding the rationale behind uniform regulations, such as the historical context of skirt lengths. This critical examination leads to proposals for more inclusive policies, including gender-neutral options and uniform flexibility, empowering students to improve their school environment.

A Structured Path to Implementation

The approach taken by T-Com and hyphenate has been methodically structured:

- 2021: Introduction of design thinking basics, sparking interest in new learning methods.
- 2022: Focus on “revamping uniforms” through prototyping and fashion shows.
- 2023: Continued exploration of design thinking with real-life uniform redesigns.
- 2024: Emphasis on creating “ideal companies,” fostering hypothesis validation skills.
- 2025: Commencement of a local product project focusing on customer journey mapping and user-centered design.

This evolving curriculum is furthering T-Com's mission to connect education with the community while enhancing student engagement through real-world applications of their learning.

Results That Speak Volumes

The introduction of design thinking has transformed T-Com's reputation, once facing challenges with under-enrollment, now thriving by motivating students and elevating the educational program significantly. The results are clear: the program has inspired students to pursue their interests actively, leading to remarkable enrollment figures over consecutive years.

Future of Learning through Design

In conclusion, design is not just about appearance; it is a powerful tool for understanding the essence of challenges and cultivating a better future. Toyama Commercial High School students are embracing this educational philosophy, transforming learning into a deeply personal and engaging process. With hyphenate’s ongoing commitment to expand opportunities for students, teachers, and the broader community, a future where students can design their destiny may soon become a reality.

Mr. Takashi Yasuda from Toyama Commercial High School remarks, "Our goal is to nurture 'change-makers' with entrepreneurial spirit who can pinpoint societal challenges and develop innovative solutions. This design thinking education program is instrumental in fostering such talent, as students actively participate in their learning journey. We are confident that this project will continue to evolve and yield vibrant results."