Toward the next 100 years, creating new affluence "Panasonic Design Exhibition" held

Panasonic is holding the "Panasonic Design Exhibition" at Tokyo Midtown in Minato Ward from November 1st to 5th. Ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2018, the exhibition communicates the company's vision and proposals for the future of design while showcasing its design history. Panasonic received the most awards among all entrants at the 2017 Good Design Awards, with 84 wins. Five of these were recognized in the "Best 100," and on the 1st, the "Rechargeable Ear-Hook Hearing Aid R4 Series" was honored with a Gold Award.

On the opening day, a seminar at Bellesalle Roppongi Conference Center featured Design Strategy Office Director Fumiyasu Nakano alongside the heads of three design centers. They explained the exhibition's purpose: to create and communicate the appeal of Panasonic Design. The theme was "Hands-on Innovation." Director Nakano stated, "Through developing home appliances, we have stayed close to people and discovered new insights from everyday life. We want to leverage the DNA cultivated over the past 100 years to drive innovation in living and society."

Reflecting on the company's history of developing products across diverse fields, he added, "It is precisely because we operate in such varied businesses that we can transform people's entire lives. We intend to continue leveraging our unique strengths, which no other company possesses."

Three initiatives were introduced at the venue. "Electronics Meets Crafts" features future home appliances developed through a collaboration between Panasonic Design and "GO ON," a creative unit of Kyoto traditional craft successors. These appliances, also presented at the 2017 Salone del Mobile in Milan, represent home appliance design that creates new affluence for the next 100 years by merging advanced electronics with traditional crafts that have supported Japanese life for centuries.

"WEAVING THE LIGHT" proposes lighting for living spaces that leverages the characteristics of "lasers," a next-generation light source gaining attention. Fiber optics are applied to utilize properties like high brightness, directionality, and multicolor control. Designed with the sensibility of handcrafted weaving, it creates lighting and spaces that bring new value to living environments.

"Next Humanity" features concept models depicting home life in 2030. It introduces proposals emphasizing food as a communication tool and a future where everything connects to information via IoT. It proposes ways of living enhanced by advanced technology and services that further elevate the inherent "humanity" people possess.

"Panasonic Design History" showcases the company's iconic products, allowing visitors to enjoy past Good Design award-winning pieces. Alongside the actual items, visitors can view images displayed on three-dimensional prism signage.

This space fully conveys the company's vision for its past and future.

Director Nakano concluded, "We define 'design with a tangible feel' as design that brings happiness and richness to people's hearts. The role of design has expanded dramatically, becoming involved from the very beginning of development. We want to embody this while also communicating the design process and our vision."

Official Website:
https://panasonic.co.jp/design/about-us/news/20171017-pd-exhibition.html