About 30 volunteer students from Daido University (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture), Department of Information Design, Faculty of Informatics, participated in a product development project for specialty hinoki in collaboration with Shirakawa Town in Kamo District, Gifu Prefecture.It has been decided to commercialize three works devised by the students.
This project started in 2017 with the aim of expanding demand and regional revitalization. In March 2017, a consumer survey was conducted in Nagoya City and Shirakawa Town, and students have been studying products that take advantage of the grain and fragrance of Tono cypress.
At the debriefing session held in Shirakawa-cho in July 2017, 7 prototypes such as round party trays, tie pins, animal print hangers, and roses made from shavings were exhibited.Among them, this time, it was decided to commercialize three items: building blocks, tie pins and pin badges, and pocket tissue boxes.
Professor Yayoi Yokoyama of the product design major said, "Every product has become a wonderful product that makes use of the warmth and fragrance of Tono cypress. There were many other good ideas, but the cost and production system are realistic. We decided to commercialize three works in consideration of various problems. Students were struck by the joy of commercializing the works they worked on and the reality that not all excellent works were commercialized. I want you to make use of your experience in future production activities. "
The product launch will be held in Shirakawa-cho around the end of May 2018.
