The "NOVUS FUTURE DESIGN AWARD" recognizes creative actions that lead society in a positive direction with new ideas and perspectives. Kicked off during SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK every year, the award-winning project is a practical competition aiming for social implementation in Shibuya. We invited Mr. Kitaura and Mr. Okawa from the 2021 Grand Prix “Gourmet Guide Without Pictures” project to hear their stories as the launch of the project is approaching.
▶︎Official site of Gourmet Guide without Pictures
A word from a visually impaired person stuck in my heart
——First of all, could you give us an overview of the “Gourmet guide without pictures” project?
Kitaura: In a nutshell, Gourmet Guide without Pictures is a gourmet guide that borrows and expresses the sensitivities unique to visually impaired people.
Not only the appearance, but also the charm of the food hidden behind it, such as the taste, the aroma, the texture, the staff who prepare and deliver the food, and the atmosphere of the restaurant itself. Aim to be expressed.
——How did you come to apply for this award?
Kitaura: Me and Okawa are both planners at different advertising agencies, and we have applied to various idea competitions together. During that time, I was happy that my project was evaluated highly, but I had some doubts about continuing to create projects that did not come to fruition. Under such circumstances, I applied for the award-winning project of "NOVUS FUTURE DESIGN AWARD" with great expectations that Shibuya Ward, a field for implementing ideas, was prepared.
Ohkawa: In fact, the prototype for this project was created in another competition. I didn't win the competition, but in the first place, this project was more about "I want to make it happen" than "I want to win an award." So, I asked Kitaura if I could polish this rough stone again and put it out there, so I applied for the NOVUS FUTURE DESIGN AWARD.
——What made you want to make it happen?
KitauraWhen I was thinking about the project, I suddenly knocked on the door of an association that actually gathers people with visual impairments, and asked them to look at the halfway stage of the project. At that time, I went out to eat with everyone, and the blind people were happy with this project, and the words that came out of them were unique, so I thought that this might be a really good thing. became.
OkawaAlso, after winning the award, Future Design Shibuya introduced me to Tomoyuki Iwata, who suffered from Leber's disease and acquired visual impairment. As a result of this project, Mr. Iwata was very helpful in assigning various people with visual impairments. First of all, I had a dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Iwata, and on the way home...?
KitauraThat's right. On the way home after dinner in Shibuya, Mr. Iwata, who is from Shibuya, said, "It's been a long time since I came to Shibuya." When I asked him, "You're from Shibuya, but you don't come here often?", you said that Shibuya is a city where you really feel that you can't see it. There are all kinds of advertisements on the streets, buildings are getting newer and newer, and there are more people, but I don't understand all of them. He told me that he was born in the place where he was born, but at that time, Mr. Iwata looked up at the top of Scramble Square and said, "It's been 10 years since I lost my sight. Shibuya looks the most beautiful today."
“For 10 years, I have been thinking about how to update the social position of people who cannot see. When. That's why I was teary-eyed when I heard that Shibuya looks beautiful today (laughs). I was very happy to hear that you expected me to say such words.
Okawa: “I have no choice but to do this.”
Unimaginable sensations, <Funiki> and <Hitogara>
——At the time of this interview, such a “gourmet guide without pictures” has just finished covering the restaurants. Did you notice anything during the interview?
KitauraOriginally, when I applied for the competition, I was thinking of dividing it into three terms: "Aji", "Fragrance", and "Shokan", because I wanted to talk about cooking. But when I actually go to the store with people who can't see, everyone has a great sense of the space and the environment, and they say, "This store is easy to come to because the slope is like this."
——From the time you arrive at the store.
KitauraAfter that, the comfort of the music in the store and the feel of the table. I realized that they really enjoy the time they spend at that store.
Also, I can't read the menu, so I have to have a conversation with the staff when ordering. As I listened to their recommendations, I also got a feel for the staff's personalities and their passion for cooking, so I added two items, <funiki> and <hitogara>. I think this is something that we could not possibly have arrived at just by our own imagination.
——That's a novel point for the readers as a gourmet guide, isn't it?
Kitaura: I was particular about not only the interestingness of the concept, but also that it would be interesting and useful as a gourmet guide and reading material.
Ohkawa The reporters are also diverse, ranging from small elementary school children to people over the age of 55, and both men and women. The visible level is also slightly different. For example, on a page where an elementary school student reports, the headline is "Mango in front of me!".
Kitaura: "It's like Everest!"
——It really shows your personality. When and where will such a booklet be available?
Kitaura The second Thursday of October is World Sight Day, and this year it is October 13th, so we plan to launch on that day. Distribution locations include "WANDER COMPASS SHIBUYA" in the concourse on the first basement floor of Shibuya Station, and "shibuya-san", a tourist information center and art center in Shibuya Fukuras. We are in the process of arranging where else you can put it.
I want you to spread from Shibuya so that you can say you like your city
——Lastly, what do you two think about the city of Shibuya?
Kitaura: What I thought again this time is that Shibuya is wonderful because it has advanced understanding of various things. I think it's amazing that they support our project so much. On the other hand, I hope that municipalities other than Shibuya Ward will follow suit.
For example, the "partnership system" that Shibuya Ward was the first to adopt in Japan is now being adopted throughout Japan. It would be great if the splendor of Shibuya Ward would drive the movement in other areas even further.
Minoru Okawa won the Public Design Award for "Gourmet Guide without Pictures" and another project that I submitted with Kitaura this time, "Each person's Birth Registration."
This birth registration is different from a normal birth registration in only one entry column. I created a check box that says, "I hope I can live with this child's sexuality."
I thought that by instilling the idea that the number of Kitaura students is unique, there might be people who could give a little push to their backs. The reason for this is that I wondered if it would be possible to add an extra alpha to the existing system, something that is unique to Shibuya City.
OkawaWe have a feeling that if we want to do something like this first in Japan, it should be Shibuya Ward. I think it's strong. I think it would be nice if more and more local governments could say that they like the place where they live, or rather, their sense of belonging. I think it's good.
