#Japan #Tokyo #Inclusive Design #Shibuya Font #Creative Collaboration

Shibuya Font Introduces Exciting New Designs for 2025

The Shibuya Font Association, co-led by Ben Furuto and Ayumu Isomura, has officially released its new data set for 2025. This year, the collection showcases an impressive 11 new fonts and 66 unique patterns, contributing to a total of 756 designs available for public use on its website. This initiative not only highlights the power of design but also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and support for individuals with disabilities.

The Origin of Shibuya Font

The Shibuya Font project intertwines the creativity of individuals with disabilities from various local support organizations and students from the Kuwasawa Design Institute. Together, they create typography and graphic patterns that reflect diverse perspectives. By doing so, the Shibuya Font has become a public resource officially recognized by Shibuya City. A portion of the revenue generated through the sales of these fonts aids support facilities within the Shibuya area, aligning perfectly with the project's goals of inclusivity and social impact.

Participating Support Organizations:
Among the various organizations involved are Kururu Ebisu, Stride Club, TENTONE, and Heart Pia Harajuku, which actively collaborate with students to co-create designs that resonate with their identity and artistic vision.

Design with Meaning

The 2025 showcase, held at the Harakado Shibuya Font Lab on October 26, provided a platform for participating teams to present not just their designs, but the stories behind them. This event witnessed passionate engagement from various industry stakeholders who served as judges, offering commendations to teams for their outstanding work.

Insights from the Creative Directors

Layla Kasem

As the Creative Director of Shibuya Font and a part-time instructor at Kuwasawa Design Institute, Layla emphasized the collaborative approach adopted this year. She noted how both students and support organizations invested significant creativity and effort into the design process, resulting in truly unique outcomes. Their enthusiasm and commitment brought the designs to life, which she hopes will inspire future work for both students and participants from support organizations.

Azusa Shibata

Support staff at Kururu Ebisu, Azusa Shibata, highlighted how this year's project marked a shift toward a more structured collaboration. By clearly defining design needs, participants could communicate more effectively, leading to designs that felt authentic and representative of individual identities.

Student Perspectives

Sakura Koyoshi

Third-year student Sakura Koyoshi expressed how working on Shibuya Font significantly shaped her career perspective during her job search. The project instilled confidence and clarity, allowing her to articulate her design aspirations effectively. This experience played a crucial role in leading her to an offer from a baby product company aligned with her interests.

Ko Ro

Second-year student Ko Ro, an international student, found this project to be an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding. Engaging with individuals from various social backgrounds allowed him to appreciate both Japanese and his native culture’s approaches to welfare and community.

Ryuhei Sato

The director of Kuwasawa Design Institute, Ryuhei Sato, shared the importance of such collaborative projects in enhancing students' growth. He believes that initiatives like Shibuya Font provide a unique model for design education that fosters community engagement through real-world interactions.

Collaboration with Industry

Several prominent companies, including Ito En, Asahi Group, and Takashimaya, participated as judges in the 2025 showcase. They expressed how the innovative approaches taken by participating teams in figurative representation and concept development proved insightful and enlightening.

Looking Forward

Shibuya Font’s approach demonstrates a strong commitment to creating a platform for diverse viewpoints to sympathize and resonate throughout the community. As the project continues to evolve, it aspires to bridge connections through shared experiences, cultivating an inclusive environment.

Anyone interested in utilizing the new font and graphical patterns for various corporate products are encouraged to explore potential collaborations. Shibuya Font will continue to reinvest a significant portion (10%-50%) of its sales directly into local support organizations, reinforcing its mission.

For further inquiries, please contact:
General Association Shibuya Font
6-31-21 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Shibuya Font Website

Conclusion

The Shibuya Font project is more than just about typography; it embodies the essence of community, creativity, and inclusion, making a notable impact not only in design but also in the lives of those who participate in and benefit from it.