Studio

新たな視点と、価値を、かたちにする。Contemporary design to develop our ideas and aesthetics.

We believe that a rich community is a world overflowing with diversity and choice, where the guiding principles of the next society can be born from within. We present alternative choices to society while taking a broad view of history and context, in order to meaningfully determine the future of craftsmanship and design.

ゆたかな世の中とは、多様性と選択肢にあふれ、
その中から次の社会の指針が生まれるような世界だと思います。
歴史やコンテキストを俯瞰しながら、
社会に対してオルタナティブな選択肢を提示することは、
次のものづくりやデザインのあり方を考える上で
意義のあることだと考えています。

Concept

we+ is a contemporary design studio founded in 2013 by Toshiya Hayashi and Hokuto Ando, that gives form to new perspectives and values using methods based on research and experimentation.

The studio explores the possibilities of alternative design that establishes a close coexistence with the natural and social environment around us, and incorporates a diversity of values that are often forgotten in today's society, where convenience and rationality are sought. Members with diverse backgrounds and skills: designers, engineers, researchers and writers, come together to present self-initiated projects that have emerged from their daily research, both in Japan and abroad. With the knowledge gained from these projects, we participate in a wide range of corporate and organizational projects, including R&D, installations as commissioned works, branding, product development, spatial design and graphic design.

In recent years, we have been working on projects including "Urban Origin", which examines the origins of today’s overly complicated manufacturing process and reevaluates the waste produced by cities as indigenous materials, and "Nature Study", which investigates how human beings have coexisted with nature until now and imagines a new way of living whereby nature and artificial merge.

Our work is included in the permanent collection of Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

リサーチと実験に立脚した手法で、新たな視点と価値をかたちにするコンテンポラリーデザインスタジオ。林登志也と安藤北斗により2013年に設立。

利便性や合理性が求められる現代社会において、見落されがちな多様な価値観を大切にしながら、私たちを取り巻く自然や社会環境と親密な共存関係を築くオルタナティブなデザインの可能性を探究しています。デザイナー、エンジニア、リサーチャー、ライターといった多彩なバックグラウンドやスキルを持つメンバーが集い、日々の研究から生まれた自主プロジェクトを国内外で発表。そこから得られた知見を生かし、R&Dやインスタレーション等のコミッションワーク、ブランディング、プロダクト開発、空間デザイン、グラフィックデザインなど、さまざまな企業や組織のプロジェクトを手がけています。

近年は、自然とともに暮らしてきた歴史を学び、自然現象の移ろいやゆらぎを生かすことで、自然と人工が融合した新たなもののあり方を模索する「Nature Study」や、都市が生み出す廃材を土着の素材と見立て、複雑になりすぎたものづくりの原点を考察する「Urban Origin」といったリサーチプロジェクトにも力を入れています。

作品は、ドイツのヴィトラ・デザイン・ミュージアムに永久収蔵されています。

What we do

  1. Artistic Research
    We call our original research and design method 'artistic research'. The possibilities for alternative design solutions are explored through a logical thinking based on environmental and historical research, combined with a sensible approach based on fieldwork and material experimentation.
    we+では、独自のリサーチ・デザイン手法を「アーティスティックリサーチ」と呼んでいます。テーマに対し、その周辺環境や歴史の調査をベースとするロジカルな思考と、フィールドワークや素材実験を起点とした感性的なアプローチを融合させ、オルタナティブなデザインの可能性を探究しています。
  2. Self-initiated Project
    A research project that we+ initiates on its own. Research themes are defined by close study of the natural environment and society. By presenting the practice of 'artistic research' as exhibitions, products and installations, we+ attempts to present an alternative perspective.
    we+が自主的に取り組んでいるリサーチプロジェクトです。自然環境や社会をつぶさに観察する中からテーマを設定。「アーティスティックリサーチ」の実践を、展覧会やプロダクト、インスタレーションとして発表することで、独自の思考や視点の提示を試みています。
  3. Collaborative Project
    We work on projects with clients based on our 'artistic research' approach. We are involved in R&D projects (new business development, concept model development), branding and various communication designs for a wide variety of companies and organizations, and the knowledge gained is often returned to self-initiated projects.
    「アーティスティックリサーチ」をベースとしたアプローチを強みに、クライアントとのプロジェクトに取り組んでいます。多彩な企業や組織のR&Dプロジェクト（新規事業開発、コンセプトモデル開発）、ブランディング、各種コミュニケーションデザインを手がけており、得られた知見が自主プロジェクトに還流することも数多くあります。

Who we are

  • Toshiya Hayashi

    林登志也

    Toshiya Hayashi

    Co-Founder, Creative Director, Designer, Copywriter

    1980年富山県生まれ。一橋大学卒業。学生時代より舞台演出に携わり、広告会社等を経て2013年we+ inc.を共同設立。リサーチを起点とする作品制作やインスタレーションといった領域横断型のアプローチから、ブランディングやコミュニケーション戦略まで、幅広い分野に精通し各種プロジェクトを手がける。国内外の広告賞、デザイン賞等受賞多数。法政大学デザイン工学部兼任講師（2019年〜）。その他教育機関での講師、セミナー等での講演も行う。

    Born in 1980, Toyama Prefecture. Graduated from Hitotsubashi University. Engaged in stage direction since his student days and, after working in advertising, he co-founded we+ inc. in 2013. From cross-disciplinary approaches like self-initiated work and installations to branding and communication strategies, he is well-versed in a wide range of fields and has handled many projects. Both his skills in advertising and design have earned him many domestic and international rewards. He is a part-time lecturer at Hosei University, Faculty of Engineering and Design (2019-). He also teaches at educational institutions and gives lectures at seminars.

  • Hokuto Ando

    安藤北斗

    Hokuto Ando

    Co-Founder, Creative Director, Designer

    1982年山形県生まれ。武蔵野美術大学を経てCentral Saint Martins（ロンドン）卒業。視点と価値の掘り起こしに興味を持ち、プロジェクトにおけるリサーチやコンセプト立案、空間〜立体〜平面のディレクションやデザインなど、複合領域的に手がける。2013年we+ inc.共同設立。国内外のデザイン賞を多数受賞。iF Design Award（ハノーバー）、D&AD Awards（ロンドン）審査員。武蔵野美術大学空間演出デザイン学科准教授、東北芸術工科大学デザイン工学部客員教授。

    Born in 1982, Yamagata Prefecture. Left Musashino Art University and graduated from Central Saint Martins in London. Focusing on digging up and rebuilding value, he works across multiple fields ranging from design research, concept development, and strategic design to spatial / product / art direction and design. Co-founded we+inc. in 2013. His design skills have earned him many awards, domestically and internationally. Jury in iF Design Award (Hanover) and D&AD Awards (London). Associate Professor at Musashino Art University, department of Interior Design, Furniture Design and Installation Design. Visiting Professor at Tohoku University of Art & Design, Faculty of Engineering and Design.

  • Peach

    桃

    Peach

    Design Lead, Designer

    1990年埼玉県生まれ。武蔵野美術大学卒業。グラフィックデザインを中心に、イラストレーション、立体、空間等あらゆる分野を手がける。動きや質感、時間的変化といった"モノ"の特性を平面に活かすような横断的表現に興味を持つ。主な担当プロジェクトにShiseido、SEMBA、MIKIMOTO、Refoam、Drought等。「師匠」「ヤーチー」「バク」「Say Yes」「青木陽平」その他愛称多数。

    Born in 1990, Saitama Prefecture. Graduated from Musashino Art University. Mainly works on graphic design, including illustration, product design and spacial design. He is interested in cross-sectional expressions that make use of the characteristics of objects such as movement, texture and time change for graphic design. He mainly handles projects like Shiseido, SEMBA, MIKIMOTO, Refoam, and Drought. He has many nicknames like "Master", "Yang-chee", "Baku", "Say Yes", and "Yohei Aoki".

  • Eri Sekiguchi

    関口愛理

    Eri Sekiguchi

    Design Lead, Designer, Researcher

    1992年横浜市生まれ。2015年慶應義塾大学SFCを卒業し、London College of CommunicationにてMA Graphic Media Designを修了。デザインリサーチからコンセプト構築、プロトタイプ・システム設計など幅広い業務を担う。マテリアルの自然美と人工的なテクノロジーを融合させることで生まれる新しい表現を追究している。2017年よりwe+に参加。主な担当プロジェクトに、HERMÈS、Grand Seiko、ISSEYMIYAKEなど。武蔵野美術大学工芸工業デザイン学科特別講師（2021年〜）。

    Born in 1992, Yokohama City. Graduated from Keio University's SFC (Shonan Fujisawa Campus) and completed her Master's degree in Graphic Media Design at London College of Communication. She is pursuing new expressions born from fusing the material's natural beauty and artificial technology. Mainly in-charge of projects like HERMÈS, Grand Seiko and ISSEY MIYAKE. She is a guest lecturer at Musashino Art University, teaching Industrial, Interior and Craft design (2021-).

Partner

  • Chiho Oba

    大場千穂

    Chiho Oba

    Designer, Researcher

    1973年青森県生まれ。筑波大学卒業。日本文化を媒介に海外とつながることに興味を持ち、良品計画にてロンドンに駐在。海外市場向けの商品開発に携わる。2013年より、オブザベーション能力や駐在期間に培った問題解決能力を生かし、デザイン分野における商品開発や展覧会コーディネートを中心に、多数の国にまたがるプロジェクトに従事。2022年よりwe+に参加。英仏での長い海外経験を生かし、海外案件のクライアントマネージメント、プロジェクトコーディネート、PRなどを担当。

    Born in 1973, Aomori prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Tsukuba University. Interested in bridging connections with overseas markets through Japanese culture, she was stationed in London for MUJI, contributing to setting up product development for European markets. Since 2013, she has been involved in various projects across a number of countries, mainly in product development and exhibition coordination in the design field, utilising her observation and problem-solving skills developed during her time overseas. Joining we+ in 2022, she is responsible for client management, project coordination and PR for overseas projects, drawing on her extensive experience, notably in the UK and France.

    Company Profile

    Name
    we+ inc.
    Flotation
    March2013
    Location
    3F, 6-14, Nihonbashiyokoyamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0003, Japan (Google Maps)
    Tel / Fax
    +81 3 6231 0163 / +81 3 6231 0164
    Web
    weplus.jp
    Mail
    weplus.jp

    Clients

    • 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT
    • FINNAIR
    • Hermès Japon
    • Hermès International
    • Hosei University
    • IKEA
    • Isetan Department Store
    • ISSEY MIYAKE
    • Iwate University
    • JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
    • LEXUS
    • LIXIL
    • Marimekko
    • Japanese Ministry of the Environment
    • Japanese Cabinet Office
    • National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
    • Mitsui Chemicals
    • Mori Art Museum
    • MUJI
    • Musashino Art University
    • National Museum of Western Art
    • NBC Meshtec
    • Nissan Motor
    • NUNO
    • Panasonic
    • PAÑPURI
    • Seiko Watch
    • SEMBA
    • Shiseido
    • Sogo & Seibu
    • SONY
    • Tokyo Midtown
    • Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design
    • TOYO Aluminium
    • Yokohama City
    • etc

    Awards

    2023
    • FRAME Awards / Furniture of the Year
    • Wallpaper* Design Award / Best Elements of Surprise
    • Fuorisalone Award / Special Mention
    • KUKAN DESIGN AWARD / Silver Award
    • KUKAN DESIGN AWARD / Special Jury Award
    • Dezeen Awards / Longlist
    2022
    • Dezeen Awards / Emerging design studio of the year (Public Vote)
    • Fuorisalone Award / Special Mention
    • EDIDA - ELLE DECO International Design Awards / Japanese Social Design Project
    2021
    • Pen Creator Awards / Creator of the year
    • EDIDA - ELLE DECO International Design Awards / Japanese Social Design Project
    • Dezeen Awards / Design longlist
    2020
    • KUKAN DESIGN AWARD / Gold Award
    • KUKAN DESIGN AWARD / Bronze Award
    • FRAME Awards / Shortlist
    2019
    • EDIDA - ELLE DECOR International Design Awards / Young Designer of the Year / Nominated by Japan Edition
    • Dezeen Awards / Furniture design / Longlist
    • KUKAN DESIGN AWARD / Gold Award
    • KUKAN DESIGN AWARD / Silver Award
    • FRAME Awards / NOMINEES
    2018
    • DSA Design Award / Silver Award
    • Dezeen Awards / Furniture design / Longlist
    2017
    • ELLE DECOR Japan / Young Japanese Design Talent
    • DSA Design Award / Gold Award
    2014
    • DSA Design Award / Special Jury Award
    • Asia Digital Art Award / Awards for Excellence
    2012
    • DSA Design Award / Honorable Mention
    2011
    • Asia Digital Art Award / Finalist
    2010
    • Good Design Award

    Exhibitions

    2023
    • More than Materials, HiCity, Tokyo
    • Design for Anthropocene, Good Design Marunouchi, Tokyo
    • Asia Creative Relation, DESIGNART, Tokyo
    • KYOTO ITO ITO, NEUTRAL, Kyoto
    • KYOTO ITO ITO, NEUTRAL azabudai, Tokyo
    • OCEAN BLINDNESS, AXIS GALLERY, Tokyo
    • Less, Light, Local, Almach Art Gallery, Milan
    • Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Milan
    • The Thinking Piece, DROPCITY, Milan
    • DESIGN SCOPE, Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, Toyama
    • NOMAD ST. MORITZ, St. Moritz
    2022
    • Futurists, MINT, London
    • Design Miami/ Basel, Basel
    • Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Milan
    • Nature Study: MIST, Nomena gallery, Tokyo
    • The Thinking Piece, (Place) by method, Tokyo
    • RESONANCE: Vortex to Diversity, Superstudio Più, Milan
    2021
    • Futures In-Sight, 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Tokyo
    2019
    • Hebei International Industrial Design Week, Hebei
    • Autogenesis Design, Design Gallery 1953, Tokyo
    • Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Milan
    • The Upward Spiral That We Wonder, Shenzhen
    • Gallery Tamura Joe, Tokyo
    • FLUX, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan
    2018
    • Gallery Tamura Joe, Tokyo
    • TAIWAN DESIGN EXPO 2018, Taichung
    • Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Milan
    2017
    • Art and Design dialogue with materials, Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, Toyama
    • IDS Vancouver, Vancouver
    • Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Milan
    • Ambiente Talents, Frankfurt
    • Design New Standard, Singapore
    2016
    • HIGHLIGHT, Design Koishikawa, Tokyo
    • Gallery S. Bensimon, Paris
    • VENTURA LAMBRATE 2016, Milan
    2015
    • Salone del Mobile 2015, Milan
    • Arts of Jomon, Spiral Garden, Tokyo
    2014
    • Maison et Objet 2014, Paris
    • Salone del Mobile 2014, Milan
    • Arts of Jomon, Aomori Museum of Art, Aomori
    2012
    • FLOW, OZONE, Tokyo

    Galleries

    • Rossana Orlandi, Milan
    • Galerie Philia, New York / Geneva / Singapore
    • MINT, London

    Permanent collections

    • Vitra Design Museum
    • Anchorage Museum

    Presskit