HOW WE DESIGN--the First Talk Event Under the Global Lifestyle Brand HOW WE LIVE of KOKUYO and ACTUS--Held in Sydney

HOW WE LIVE is a lifestyle brand that spans multiple categories, including furniture, stationery, homeware, and art, offering alternative ways of living--diverse options for personal and meaningful lifestyles.
The talk event kicked off with a session by Tetsuro Yasunaga from KOKUYO's Creative division, who serves as the Creative Director of HOW WE LIVE. He talked about the 120-year history and growth journey of KOKUYO--which is still an unfamiliar name in Sydney--as well as the creative design process rooted in experience and experimentation, using examples such as THE CAMPUS--KOKUYO's Tokyo Shinagawa Office--and KOKUYO's first rental housing THE CAMPUS FLATS TOGOSHI. Using photographs of the brand's first pop-up store held in November last year, Yasunaga then talked about the reasons behind launching HOW WE LIVE as well as the brand image being sought. Participants raised opinions and questions, showing their interest in the stance of a company--which has grown over the course of many years--ambitiously seeking to develop new fields.
This was followed by KOKUYO's in-house designer Taku Sasaki, who serves as the Art Director of HOW WE LIVE, talking about the vision for visual identity that extends to logos, merchandise, and even spaces, as well as the ways for creating simple yet flexible rules that balance strong individuality and diversity. THE CAMPUS and THINK OF THINGS, which he had worked on in the past, were given as examples. Next, Sasaki talked about the process of creating the visual identity for HOW WE LIVE. Works used in the pop-up store were given as examples of how the tiles and stairs he saw while conducting research on the streets of Sydney were incorporated into the identity. The participants were seen listening attentively while nodding in agreement at the synergy with Sydney's cityscape.

After they spoke, Stephen Todd--who served as the event's moderator--asked them about the reasons for choosing Sydney as the starting location for HOW WE LIVE. Yasunaga replied, "In our effort to spread co-creation with empathy, desiging experiences, and a culture of experimentation--which we have cultivated in Japan so far--at the global level, we saw high affinity with Sydney's culture and climate and felt it was the best starting point for HOW WE LIVE."
One participant posed a sharp question, "Like the ever-changing THE CAMPUS, I think HOW WE LIVE is a project that also keeps changing. As a designer, are there any goals?" In response, Sasaki pondered and replied, "As long as the brand continues to grow, it will also be necessary for the identity to keep growing. Therefore, there is no end. The goal is when the brand ends or when it is taken over by someone." This exchange helped to deepen understanding about HOW WE LIVE.

The venue also displayed HOW WE LIVE products and served Japanese yakitori and wine. This fulfilling event for the participants ended with resounding success.

Overview of HOW WE LIVE presents HOW WE DESIGN #1

1. Date: June 4, 2025
2. Venue: OUT OF OFFICE（39 Wellington St, Chippendale）
3. Speakers:
   Tetsuro Yasunaga (HOW WE LIVE Creative Director)
   Taku Sasaki (HOW WE LIVE Art Director)
   Stephen Todd (Design Editor)

(Reference) About HOW WE LIVE

1. Concept:
   "How will we live? Let's live like this - The unit is 'us.'"
   In a world where diversity is the norm, we aim to explore how to live authentically, together.
   Engage with numerous choices filled with discovery and inspiration within familiar surroundings.
   Gather everyone's great ideas and fresh inspirations to expand a creative ecosystem.
   Break down the barriers between work and life, and create new values through relationships with local communities.
2. Brand elements: Products, spaces & interiors, communication
3. Brand website: https://how-we-live.design
4. Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howwelive.design