#Japan #Tokyo #design management #Panasonic Group #Transformation Design

Exploring the Power of Design Management

On September 25, 2026, a crucial event titled "The Reality of Design Management: Exploring the Power of Design That Moves Organizations Internally with Panasonic" will take place, hosted by Infobahn Inc. This special, free event is crafted for organizations struggling to realize the benefits of design management.

The event features guest speakers from the Panasonic Group, who will share valuable insights drawn from their experiences navigating the challenges associated with infusing design into management. The discussion will center around the journey of effective collaboration between design organizations and executives, revealing the real struggles and processes involved in leveraging design for strategic advantage.

It’s an excellent opportunity for attendees to understand how design can transcend being a mere tool and become a powerful catalyst for igniting internal motivation within an organization. If you're involved in corporate planning, new business development, or hold a position of responsibility in design, we highly encourage your participation.

The term "design management" has gained traction in Japan since the 2018 declaration by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Japan Patent Office. However, many companies remain at surface levels, engaging only in logo redesigns or one-off workshops that lack depth. While many organizations abandon their design initiatives after a short period due to lack of visible results, only a few reach the core of effective design management, which redefines decision-making, strategy formation, and the very nature of your organization as facets of design itself.

This event will include the participation of Atsushi Saso, head of the Transformation Design Center at Panasonic Operational Excellence, alongside Hirofumi Akashi from the Vision Design Team. They will discuss aspects of their four-and-a-half-year design management project, "Future Design Program," sharing the realities of what successful design management entails.

Key Discussion Points to be Explored:

• - How can we draw out internal motivation to mobilize organizations?
• - What actions are necessary to foster trust in design as a corporate asset?
• - How can design management methods become embedded in our organizational culture to foster self-sustaining teams?
• - What does the future relationship between management and design look like in this new era?

Recommended For:

• - Leaders in corporate planning, new business development, or creative/design departments
• - Individuals interested in design management and design thinking
• - Those who have attempted to implement design management but feel it hasn't led to significant organizational change or business outcomes
• - Anyone curious about practical methods like the Future Design Program that focus on backcasting from envisioned futures.

Event Details:

• - Date and Time: September 25, 2026 (Friday), 17:00 to 20:00 (offline only)
• - Location: Infobahn, Tokyo Office (Headquarters) 6F, 23-2 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo
• - Capacity: 30 participants
• - Participation Fee: Free
• - Schedule: 16:30 - Doors Open, 17:00 - Opening Talk, 17:20 - Case Study on Panasonic's Design Management, 17:40 - Talk Session, 18:40 - Q&A, 19:00 - Networking

To register, complete the application form by September 24, 2026, at 19:00. Please note that slots are limited and registration will close once the capacity is reached. If you can no longer attend, kindly inform us in advance.

Speakers:

• - Atsushi Saso: Head of the Transformation Design Center at Panasonic, with extensive experience in UI design, agile development, and UX service design.
• - Hirofumi Akashi: Member of the Vision Design Team, specializing in vision design and future-oriented corporate strategy.
• - Yuichi Inobori: Executive Vice President of Infobahn and design strategist, pioneered several innovation design projects.
• - Kazumasa Tsujimura: Executive Officer at Infobahn, focusing on design research across various scales.

Infobahn is a partner in supporting corporate value creation through the power of design and content. Since our establishment in 1998, we have utilized design thinking and editorial prowess to address business challenges effectively. For more information about us, visit Infobahn’s official website.