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A huge congratulations goes to Variloom, a Moon Creative Lab venture, for being named an honoree in the <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/innovation-by-design/list">Fast Company 2025 Innovation by Design Awards</a>! <a href="https://www.variloom.com/">Variloom</a> is helping the fashion industry reduce production waste, minimize excess inventory, and reliance on offshore manufacturing through the creation of its first two innovations: 3D printing and a recyclable, customizable material.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1600/900;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Variloom_Fast_Co_thumb_2455f19f46.png" alt="Variloom Fast Co thumb.png" width="1600" height="900"><figcaption>Variloom's patent-pending recyclable filament used to create custom 3D-printed garments.</figcaption></figure>Now in its 14th year, the Innovation by Design Awards celebrate the designers and businesses addressing today’s most urgent challenges while anticipating the problems of tomorrow. The program is one of the most prestigious design competitions in the industry, spotlighting work that exemplifies originality, beauty, sustainability, user insight, cultural significance, and measurable business impact. Honorees, which include nearly 300 projects, products, and services from The New York Times, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Adobe, and others, were selected by a panel of leading designers, business executives from leading organizations, and Fast Company editors.&nbsp; Variloom’s on-demand and on-site 3D print-to-shape fabrication system for how soft goods and apparel are made, gives brands and suppliers the ability to design and produce customizable, recyclable fabrics in days instead of months, all while bringing the manufacturing closer to the consumer. The system is capable of printing across a range of sizes from small components to large-format fabrics, enabling bespoke creations and custom-designed details for everything from shirts and pants to handbags and shoes, all while integrating seamlessly into existing supply chains. &nbsp; “When Moon Creative Lab was first founded by Mitsui &amp; Co., it was meant to create big and bold businesses that would have an exponential impact on the world,” said Mary Ann Gallo, Chief Growth Officer, Moon Creative Lab. “Variloom is a venture that is doing just that. WIth its patent-pending soft material and 3D printing system, Variloom is helping brands reduce waste, shorten lead times, and remove the need for large inventory positions, while also supporting sustainable, customizable production closer to the consumer.” Fast Company’s editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan explains “The Innovation by Design Awards celebrate bold ideas and work that proves design is a true driver of business and societal progress. This year’s honorees show how creative thinking can unlock new markets, build stronger organizations, and deliver meaningful impact at scale.”&nbsp; Head <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/innovation-by-design/list">here</a> to see the complete list of winners and honorees, and read about the winners in the Fall issue of Fast Company magazine on newsstands September 23, 2025.&nbsp;If you'd like to receive the latest updates from Moon Creative Lab,&nbsp;please sign up to be a Moon Community Member <a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1OHQANbcgR9q4ky5Q4M6wMQcxaid ">here</a>. We'll send you invitations to speaker events featuring industry pioneers, panel discussions, new ventures, and more.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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Moon-launched venture, Carrium Inc., which provides the career strategy support tool "CareerForth," released its new feature "<a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a>" on July 1, 2025. "CareerForth" was adopted in 2022 as a new business by Mitsui &amp; Co.'s venture studio, Moon Creative Lab, after an internal call for proposals within Mitsui &amp; Co. It began offering a beta version in 2023, and Carrium Inc. was established as the operating company in June 2024. In addition to its existing service, which quantifies and maps potential career paths for highly specialized young professionals, "<a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a>" will allow individual users to more intuitively build their career strategies. This new feature aims to provide an environment where individuals can design data-driven, unbiased careers, supporting them in achieving a passionate professional life.&nbsp;<h3>Leveraging over 1 million data points to provide personalized career support service</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/a_image_a01_1_98b426ff51.png" alt="a_image_a01 (1).png">"<a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a>" is a service that leverages over one million labor data points and AI technology held by Carrium to provide personalized career proposals. These proposals are based on the user's career values, including their work history, sources of motivation, and ideal communication methods. The service also includes specific job listings, allowing users to express their interest in a job with a one-stop application process.&nbsp;<h3>What are its main features?</h3>1.Career Design Based on Data&nbsp; Leveraging over one million labor data points accumulated by Carrium, <a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a> advises optimal career plans based on the user's input work history and values. 2.Completed in Just 3 Minutes   Only three steps are required for input before a personalized career proposal is generated in approximately three minutes. 3.Presentation of Diverse&nbsp; Options In addition to conventional proposals based on your past career, you can also explore surprising alternative paths complete with concrete action plans. 4.Continuous Optimization   By providing feedback on the generated career proposal, you can discover an even more customized and personalized career path.&nbsp;<h3>Free to use, no need to register</h3><a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a> is free for anyone to use, and no registration is required. Please feel free to give it a try! Your feedback is highly welcomed.Contact to Hiroyuki Narihara, founder of Carrium Inc. [📩]<a href="mailto:h.narihara@carrium.co.jp">h.narihara@carrium.co.jp</a><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>More to read</h3>Interview to Hiroyuki Narihara, founder of Carrium Inc. <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/idea-careerforth">https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/idea-careerforth</a>The Future of Work: Embracing a Role-Playing Approach With AI <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/ja/stories/rpg-work">https://www.mooncreativelab.com/ja/stories/rpg-work</a>

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/2024_EFMD_Case_Competition_Winners_blog_SM_6e70349da9.png" alt="2024-EFMD-Case_Competition-Winners-blogSM.png">When Moon Creative Lab was founded in 2018, its initial purpose was to create new business for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mitsui.com/us/en/index.html">Mitsui &amp; Co.</a>, blending the Silicon Valley’s innovative, “fail fast” startup culture with Japan’s discerning business acumen. Since then, Moon has been inspiring and encouraging innovative entrepreneurs and founders to unlock their creative potential and create businesses that will have significant impact on the world.&nbsp;A stark contrast to traditional Japanese corporate ideologies and “<a href="https://japan-dev.com/blog/japanese-trading-companies">Sōgō Shōshas</a>,” Moon has been somewhat of a beacon for not only Tokyo’s emerging startup ecosystem, but for budding future entrepreneurs and business students. The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) recently wrote a case study, “Moon Creative Lab: Mitsui’s Venture Studio,” which takes an in-depth look at Moon's founding as a bold new experiment to innovate within a global and traditionally successful corporation. We are proud to announce that the insightful case study has been named a winner in the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.efmdglobal.org/2025/04/17/the-2024-case-writing-competition-winners/">2024 EFMD Case Writing Competition</a>, underscoring its excellence in capturing a compelling narrative of corporate innovation and transformation.Awarded in the “Continuous Improvement: the Journey to Excellence” category, the case study delves into the inception and early journey of Moon Creative Lab. Kaichi Yokoyama, Moon’s CEO, realized that organic innovation and the creative potential of Mitsui’s international workforce could lead to something new — and profitable. His vision for Moon was to be a global hub that nurtures creativity and new ventures, emphasizing the need to challenge and innovate in order to transform people, business, and culture in a rapidly evolving business landscape.&nbsp;The authors of the case study explore the challenges of driving innovation within a long-established, successful corporation, and how Moon continues to find the balance between developing radical new ideas and aligning with the expectations and structures of a massive parent company. The case study provides further insight into how Moon identifies and incubates new business ventures, develops entrepreneurial talent, and fosters a culture that values creativity, design thinking, and new ways of innovating.&nbsp;Such an environment is an anomaly itself, especially when residing within Mitsui &amp; Co. Moon’s efforts and philosophy offer a fresh perspective as every triumph, tribulation, and shared experience is seen as a learning opportunity for founders while they navigate their entrepreneurial journey."Moon Creative Lab: Mitsui’s Venture Studio" is an exemplary case study of insightful analysis and compelling storytelling, underlining the critical significance of embracing innovation and agility to keep up with an ever-evolving world – not only for entrepreneurs and founders, but for established corporations as well.&nbsp;Congratulations to IMD and the authors of this thoughtful and illuminating case study!

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<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2550/3300;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Subaru_b6c53fccc0_1_c34176d9a0.png" alt="Subaru_b6c53fccc0 1.png" width="2550" height="3300"></figure>Author: Subaru is a design lead passionate about crafting impactful solutions through product design and research. Her versatile background spans visual, product, and branding design, with hands-on experience in eCommerce, logistics, and healthcare. Since joining Moon, she has embraced her curiosity and commitment to innovation to create designs that improve lives. Subaru’s professional interests center on design, product innovation, and aligning business strategy with creative solutions.<hr>I've had the opportunities of working with many people new to Design Thinking, and every time, it's been an exciting experience. Watching them unlock each phase of the process and seeing their "aha" moments always takes me back to when I first discovered Design Thinking. At first, it seemed like a complex methodology, but the more I practiced it, the more I realized it’s not some exclusive concept. It’s a way of thinking that anyone can master. In fact, once you get familiar with it, you’ll start seeing how naturally it fits into everyday life, making problem-solving more creative, engaging, and even fun.&nbsp;<h3>Design Thinking in Everyday Life</h3>When we hear "Design Thinking," we often associate it with business strategy or innovation — something structured and high-level. While it’s true that Design Thinking does involve a process, it can sometimes feel intimidating, making people hesitant to explore it.But in reality, it’s not just for business; it’s a mindset for solving everyday challenges, both big and small. You can apply Design Thinking to:<ul><li>Boost Personal Productivity (e.g., redesign your daily routine for better focus).</li><li>Improve Relationships &amp; Communication (e.g., try new approaches to make family conversations more open and meaningful).</li><li>Enhance Health &amp; Well-Being (e.g., experiment with different meal plans or fitness routines to find what works best).</li><li>Redesign Home Organization (e.g., create a more functional, clutter-free space).</li><li>Develop Career &amp; Learning Plans (e.g., strategize your next career move).</li></ul>With Design Thinking, you can tackle any challenge you're currently facing. The beauty of it is that it’s all about experimenting, learning, and improving, one small step at a time.&nbsp;<h3>Let’s Practice Together</h3>By applying Design Thinking — from organizing schedules to improving communication — small experiments can make life smoother and more enjoyable. The best part? The more you practice, the more naturally you'll start thinking like a designer.So, how do we apply Design Thinking in daily life? It starts with understanding the key phases:<ul><li>Empathize: Understand your own needs and those of others.</li><li>Define: Clearly identify the problem.</li><li>Ideate: Brainstorm creative solutions.</li><li>Prototype: Test small changes.</li><li>Test &amp; Iterate: Learn from feedback and refine your approach.</li></ul>Let us consider these as they apply to our daily lives. To illustrate that, I’d like to share a personal story.&nbsp;Applying Design Thinking: My Back Pain JourneyA few months ago, I started experiencing serious back pain. Since I’m still in my 30s, people kept telling me it was too early to be dealing with body pain. But I knew I had to address it before it became a long-term issue.&nbsp;Empathize &amp; Define: Understanding the ProblemI began by defining my problem and asking myself key questions:<ul><li>Is my mattress too soft?</li><li>Am I sitting too long at work?</li><li>Do I have poor posture?</li></ul>To get a better understanding, I visited a chiropractor near my neighborhood. After an assessment, I learned that my weak core muscles were making it difficult to maintain proper posture, which was worsening my back pain.&nbsp;Ideate: Brainstorming Possible SolutionsWith this insight, I started brainstorming ways to strengthen my core and relieve my pain. I wrote down ideas on sticky notes and stuck them to my door. After considering my options, I narrowed it down to three experiments to try over the next three months:<ol><li>Regular Chiropractic Visits: Commit to sessions, motivated by the opportunity to try a new café near the clinic.</li><li>Daily Yoga at Home: Self-learn yoga and treat myself to a piece of chocolate as a small reward.</li><li>Joining a Mini-Gym: Follow a structured exercise plan and gradually level up.</li></ol>&nbsp;Prototype &amp; Test: Trying Different ApproachesFor three months, I committed to testing these solutions. I tracked my progress, noted how I felt, and adjusted my routine as needed.At the end of the experiment, I reviewed my notes and found that my back pain had significantly improved after consistently going to the gym. I felt more refreshed, had more energy for work and social activities, and was motivated to continue leveling up my training goals.Iterate: The Journey ContinuesNow that I’ve seen progress, my next challenge is figuring out the best way to stay motivated and push my training goals further. My prototyping and testing are still ongoing.I’m continuously refining my approach to make sure I maintain a sustainable and effective health routine.&nbsp;<h3>Tips To Start Thinking Creatively Today</h3>After hearing my story, you might be wondering: how can I start my own Design Thinking project? The best way is to start small: pick one area of your life and run a fun, low-pressure experiment. The key is to stay open to failure and iteration. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s learning and improving along the way.If you’re unsure where to begin or feel hesitant to tackle it alone, try involving others! Co-creating solutions with family, friends, or colleagues can boost your confidence and make the process more enjoyable. You don’t have to do it all by yourself.So, are you ready to take on your first Design Thinking challenge?&nbsp;What small problem in your daily life could use a creative, design-driven solution?

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Thumbnail_eureca_5bc27eedbe.png" alt="Thumbnail_eureca.png">This alumni interview features individuals who experienced in-house entrepreneurship through a secondment from Mitsui &amp; Co. to Moon Creative Lab. This time, we spoke with members of the Eureca team, who took on the challenge of creating a business to foster space-related talent. What did they learn from their startup journey at Moon?<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:270/316;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/naoya_profile_d6835b20ed.png" alt="naoya profile.png" width="270" height="316"></figure>Naoya Shiraishi: Joined Mitsui &amp; Co. in April 2022 and was assigned to the Mobility Business Unit I. He was involved in investment management of the U.S. truck leasing business and business creation leveraging that expertise. After his entrepreneurial journey at Moon, he returned to Mitsui and now works in the Light Vehicle Solutions Business Division, engaged in passenger car sales and new business development in North America.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:252/316;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/green_profile_47aba0d0a9.png" alt="green profile.png" width="252" height="316"></figure>Yasuhiro Hasegawa: Joined Mitsui &amp; Co. in April 2022 and was assigned to the HR &amp; General Affairs Division. He participated in the global HR system "Bloom" supporting career development for all group employees. After his secondment to Moon, he supported Moon venture CARRIUM on its HR team as an HR professional. He then transferred to the Integrated Digital Strategy Division. Currently, he supports IT/DX initiatives in the mobility sector, focusing on operational efficiency and new business creation. His lucky color is green.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:264/316;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/yorifuji_profile_049f99ff51.png" alt="yorifuji profile.png" width="264" height="316"></figure>Haruka Yorifuji: Joined Mitsui &amp; Co. in April 2022 and was assigned to the Retail Business Unit. She was involved in intermediate distribution and product export for domestic and international retailers. Unlike her peers, she did not transfer to Moon but dedicated 20% of her working hours to entrepreneurial activities. She also contributes to the global expansion of her current business.*The project name "Eureca" was modified from "Eureka" (already trademarked) by changing "k" to "c."Table of Contents<ul><li>Co-founding business as a trio</li><li>Fostering Space Talent</li><li>Curriculum receives favorable reviews</li><li>From zero to one: experiencing the entire business journey</li></ul><hr><h3>Co-founding business as a trio</h3>Before joining Mitsui, Naoya Shiraishi, Yasuhiro Hasegawa, and Haruka Yorifuji participated in the company’s internship program, working together on a recycling-themed business project within the Mineral &amp; Metal Resources Business Unit. Their team won the pitch contest, and after joining Mitsui, each member was assigned to a different department. Despite being in different business units, they continued to meet once a week to discuss ideas they could bring to Moon using their diverse backgrounds.Shiraishi, influenced by his engineer father and the manga “Space Brothers,” had a strong interest in technology and space. Hasegawa, raised by teacher parents and accustomed to peer learning with siblings, was passionate about education and talent development. Yorifuji was interested in consumer behavior and psychology, especially in tourism-related fields.Around February 2023, about a year after joining Mitsui, the trio applied to Moon’s ILLUMINATE idea competition. They were selected to join a Moon program that helps materialize business ideas through workshops. The issue they focused on: the shortage of talent in the space industry.&nbsp;<h3>Fostering space talent</h3>The space business market is projected to reach 1 trillion USD by 2040. While Japan has the potential to lead through manufacturing capabilities and geographic advantages, the lack of talent is a critical issue.The team proposed a STEAM-based education product aimed at fostering talent. Specifically, they developed an educational curriculum for middle and high school students, simulating satellite development. The long-term vision included actual satellite launches to promote space education.In August, the team joined Moon’s incubation program and the project was accepted. By October, Shiraishi and Hasegawa were seconded to Moon to focus fully on business creation. Yorifuji, whose departmental work aligned with her goals, participated concurrently, dedicating 20% of her working hours to the project.&nbsp;<h3>Curriculum receives favorable reviews</h3><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:720/405;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image7_3962540e67.gif" alt="image7.gif" width="720" height="405"></figure>"The first day of our secondment was filled with welcome events, but from day two, the freedom left us a bit perplexed," recalls Shiraishi.While Moon experts provide support, the project direction is left to the idea owners. The team started by defining goals, gradually gaining momentum through discussions. For the prototype, Shiraishi and Hasegawa utilized their programming skills to develop the learning tool themselves.During user tests, despite setting prices ten times higher than the market average, they secured customers from domestic educational institutions eager to purchase the curriculum.The product was an intuitive web application that visually demonstrated satellite mechanisms through simulations. It addressed a clear need: while STEAM education was gaining traction, many teachers had never experienced it firsthand, leading to confusion about effective teaching methods.Teachers praised the program, saying, "Students could think independently, engage hands-on, and experience the journey from concept to social implementation. Most importantly, they genuinely enjoyed it."However, scaling the business presented challenges. The team explored expanding beyond educational institutions to university students and professionals through e-learning platforms and talent introduction services. Although student feedback was positive, the team couldn’t achieve the necessary growth for sustainability. Unfortunately, the project was discontinued in March 2024.&nbsp;<h3>From zero to one: experiencing the entire business journey</h3>The three founders reflect on their entrepreneurial journey: &nbsp;Shiraishi: "We handled everything ourselves—user interviews, product design, app and landing page development, and user testing. Experiencing entrepreneurship firsthand was invaluable. From Mitsui’s perspective, it was a unique opportunity to understand the investor-recipient dynamic."&nbsp;Hasegawa: "It was the first time I discussed financial projections with such clarity, like estimating the required funds ten years ahead. Listening to user feedback, confirming feasibility, and designing UI myself was incredibly fulfilling. Making our first sale through direct outreach was profoundly moving."&nbsp;Yorifuji: "Managing the entire business, not just a part of it, and focusing on user-driven value rather than company assets through design research was significant. I believe colleagues working in consumer sectors should also experience this."&nbsp;The common thread among the three was the joy of creating something from nothing and the invaluable experience of being involved in every aspect of the business.They also faced the challenges of working as a trio. While diverse interests broadened perspectives, they sometimes led to differing visions. Yorifuji, balancing her main corporate role and the Eureca project, found it challenging to keep pace with the rapid discussions of her seconded teammates and struggled to maintain a clear 80:20 work split.Reflecting on their experiences, they shared their future aspirations:<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image8_7471c54df5.jpg" alt="image8.jpg">Shiraishi: “The methods I learned at Moon can be applied in various situations. The frameworks for visualizing ideas helped clarify what wasn’t fully understood within the team. Business creation is like mixed martial arts—you have to do everything and continuously learn what’s necessary. At the same time, it’s important to rely on others. In hindsight, I think I should’ve asked others for support more often. Since investment plays a crucial role in the space industry, I plan to gain experience in investment management at Mitsui &amp; Co. and return to the space sector when the time is right.”&nbsp;<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image4_de5c981fc9.jpg" alt="image4.jpg">Hasegawa: “Business creation felt like clearly defining your purpose and strategically playing the cards of skills you already have. I also discovered new “cards” beyond my original technical expertise—for example, earning stakeholders’ trust, energizing team members, resilience in overcoming challenges, and effective communication with engineers. At Moon, I was amazed by the performance that emerged when people with different strengths worked seamlessly together. Moving forward, I want to leverage the unique skills and strengths I’ve gained through these challenges in my career.”&nbsp;<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image2_432df8449a.jpg" alt="image2.jpg">Yorifuji: “The great thing about co-founding is the ability to complement each other’s strengths. Shiraishi and Hasegawa made significant contributions in technology and the space and education sectors, while I contributed from a marketing perspective, applying behavioral economics I studied at university. This challenge gave me a valuable sense of how I’m evaluated through my work and how much value I can create financially. The experiences gained will be useful not only for business creation at Mitsui &amp; Co. but also for future ventures at Moon and in a wide range of situations. Having the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship while still being an employee is invaluable. I highly recommend participating in the workshops, even if that’s your starting point.”&nbsp;<hr>At Moon, we offer a variety of programs to support new business development. For learning programs, head to our website and check out <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/learn?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=eureca+story2503&amp;utm_id=eureca+story2503">Learn</a>. For incubation programs, see <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/build?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=eureca+story2503&amp;utm_id=eureca+story2503">Build</a>, and for growth programs, explore <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/grow?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=eureca+story2503&amp;utm_id=eureca+story2503">Grow</a>. To receive the latest updates, consider registering as a <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/connect?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=eureca+story2503&amp;utm_id=eureca+story2503">Moon Community Member</a>.Stay informed about the latest from startups working on business creation at Moon Creative Lab through the <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/page/1?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=eureca+story2503&amp;utm_id=eureca+story2503">Moon Stories Blog</a>. &nbsp;

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<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2550/3300;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Subaru_b6c53fccc0_1_c34176d9a0.png" alt="Subaru_b6c53fccc0 1.png" width="2550" height="3300"></figure>Author: Subaru is a design lead passionate about crafting impactful solutions through product design and research. Her versatile background spans visual, product, and branding design, with hands-on experience in eCommerce, logistics, and healthcare. Since joining Moon, she has embraced her curiosity and commitment to innovation to create designs that improve lives. Subaru’s professional interests center on design, product innovation, and aligning business strategy with creative solutions.<hr>We are living in the era of AI, where new models emerge almost daily, becoming more advanced and capable. For years, discussions around AI have been filled with both excitement and fear, especially when it comes to its impact on jobs. Designers, in particular, have played one of the center roles of this debate. With AI-powered tools like image generators in Photoshop and Figma’s AI suggesting UI layouts with just a prompt, some wonder: is there still room for designers to shine? &nbsp;The answer is a resounding yes. AI is not here to replace designers but to transform and enhance their role. Instead of fearing automation, designers should embrace what makes them truly valuable—creative thinking, the ability to solve human-centered problems and strategic thinking. To understand why, let’s take a look at how the role of designers has evolved over time and why AI is just the next chapter in this ongoing transformation.&nbsp;<h3>The Evolution of Designers' Roles</h3>Before we discuss the long-term value and sustainability of a design career, we must first understand the nature of a designer’s role.&nbsp;I asked ChatGPT to define it: &nbsp;“A designer is someone who creates and shapes ideas, products, or experiences to solve problems, communicate messages, or enhance functionality and aesthetics… A designer blends creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills to bring ideas to life in a way that is visually appealing, functional, and meaningful.” &nbsp;The essence of design has always been about creative thinking, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. A designer’s role is never fixed (we’re very lively!); it evolves alongside technology, business demands, and user expectations. AI is the latest force driving this transformation forward. In the past, designers specialized in distinct disciplines—graphic design, fashion design, interior design, industrial design, and more. They honed deep expertise in their craft, evolving from traditional handcrafting to digital workflows with the rise of tools like Photoshop and Illustrator. This marked the first major shift: the transition from physical to digital-first design.As businesses became increasingly digital, a second wave of transformation emerged. Designers expanded into UI design, collaborating closely with developers and marketers. Beyond aesthetics, they began shaping brand storytelling, emotional connections, and consistent user experiences across web, social media, and mobile platforms.With the explosion of mobile apps and SaaS platforms, design evolved yet again. UX and UI design became industry standards, and designers moved beyond visuals to focus on user-centered experiences, research, usability testing, and data-driven decision-making. Agile methodologies further reshaped their workflows, positioning designers as integral members of cross-functional teams. Now, as we enter the era of Industry 5.0, where human-machine collaboration takes center stage, designers are once again adapting. They are no longer just creating individual products but designing entire systems—design systems, service blueprints, and omnichannel experiences. AI is accelerating this shift, pushing designers toward new responsibilities such as problem definition, ethical considerations, and human-AI collaboration. The role is evolving from designing static products to shaping dynamic, intelligent experiences.&nbsp;<h3>So, What’s Next For Designers?</h3>How can designers carve out a meaningful place in this AI-driven world? The answer lies in embracing change, not resisting it. Designers have always adapted—whether it was the shift from handcrafting to digital tools or from visual design to user experience. Now, in the AI era, their role is evolving once again. Rather than being replaced, designers are becoming curators, strategists, and facilitators, leveraging AI to enhance their creative thinking, solve human-centered problems, and drive meaningful innovation through strategic thinking. With AI handling repetitive tasks and accelerating execution, designers have a golden opportunity to focus on what truly matters—crafting exceptional user experiences, shaping human-centered design, and thinking strategically. This is also the perfect moment to broaden their expertise, stepping into areas like business strategy, marketing, and systems thinking, where design plays a crucial role in shaping the future.AI is not an enemy; it’s a powerful ally. The essence of being a designer has never been about mastering a single tool or process—it’s about thinking creatively, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. Just as designers have evolved in the past, they will continue to do so now. The future belongs to those who are willing to embrace change, explore new possibilities, and redefine what it means to be a designer in the age of AI.So, the real question is: How will you design your future? &nbsp;

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Thumbnail_Anna_facilitation_26b76935d9.png" alt="Thumbnail_Anna facilitation.png">The author of this blog: Anna Hiraoka. After joining Mitsui, she was involved in healthcare business investment projects in the Wellness Division, and was seconded to Moon Creative Lab (Moon) for two years from October 2018 to September 2020. After working on a healthcare startup at Moon, Anna returned to the Mitsui Wellness Division, then transferred to HR &amp; General Affairs Division promoting D&amp;I. Anna returned to Moon in 2023 and is currently a Senior L&amp;D specialist. She is a facilitator at many workshops held by Moon as part of their business creation program.<hr>Have you ever facilitated a meeting, seminar or workshop?For me, facilitation is the art of guiding and empowering participants to unleash their creativity.I have facilitated over 30 workshops in the past year and worked with over 500 participants from more than 10 different countries. Through this, I have learned tips for successful workshops and “key facilitation elements” that enhance the participant experience.&nbsp;<h3>1.Be the compass, not the captain</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image3_dd6aa2ab55.jpg" alt="image3.jpg">As a facilitator, your role is not to give solutions every step of the way, but to help participants navigate in the right direction. Think of it as you being the compass—the participant is the captain, making the decisions, while you offer guidance and food for thought. By letting them take the wheel, you empower them to own their journey and build confidence in their ability to embark on the journey without you being there to hold hands.&nbsp;Failure: The instinct to jump in and solve a problem can backfireIn a recent workshop, a participant was stuck figuring out who to interview to validate their problem statement. I gave them a list of potential people to talk to, and off they went. But when they came back, their insights didn’t hit the mark. While I had better candidates in mind, I decided to shift gears.Instead of handing them answers, I asked:&nbsp;“What kind of people do you think would have experience solving similar problems?”“What questions would help them share their stories?”&nbsp;Suddenly, the participant transformed from feeling stuck to leading the charge. They brainstormed personas, crafted thoughtful questions, and fully owned the process.The takeaway? Helping isn’t always about giving the answers. Sometimes, it’s about asking the right questions so participants can take the wheel and steer their own way to meaningful insights.&nbsp;Success: How an empathetic question sparked a transformation&nbsp;Given the importance of these questions, I believe that the key to facilitation lies in empathy and dialogue. In order to connect more deeply with participants, I first value a space where everyone can feel comfortable speaking up. To this end, it is extremely important to create an environment where people feel that there are no fixed answers.If participants feel that they are being listened to and being considered, it will open the door to their hearts and minds, and they will naturally feel the courage to take the next step forward.In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/learn?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA2503&amp;utm_id=storytelling+by+anna">Moon’s educational program</a>, I once asked a participant who was at a loss to define his challenge:&nbsp;“What feelings are you experiencing now that you have participated in the program?”“How do you feel now about the issues you set?”&nbsp;I tried to empathize with him and asked him questions that appealed to his emotions. He was surprised that I asked him questions about his feelings rather than the results, but this seemed to open him up to actively seeking new directions, including setting up a mentoring session with me.Then, when we had finished defining the issues and had progressed about 70% of the way through the workshop, he approached me with this concern:&nbsp;“I am sorry. I just can't get passionate about the issue I'm facing right now, and I want to start over from the beginning.”I answered, “Thank you for your honesty. Please don't apologize. Let's explore together a problem you can be passionate about!”&nbsp;This switch sparked his mind again. He then redid his assignment selection from scratch at great speed, and ran all the way to the end of the program with confidence, eventually achieving results that made him one of the top performers.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image1_becacf70da.jpg" alt="image1.jpg">The fact that people felt they could turn back, even in the second half of the workshop, was the result of sharing a safe space where everyone is encouraged to speak up, knowing that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers.He thanked me for having an emotional dialogue with him. I still keep in touch with him, and each time I am reminded of the power of empathy.I believe that every word spoken in empathy, whether through question or dialog, has the power to light up a participant’s eyes with a kind of magic.&nbsp;<h3>2.Playful staging and props create an extraordinary experience</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image2_4986fd3e9a.jpg" alt="image2.jpg">So far, we have introduced the role of the facilitator in a workshop and how the power of empathy and questioning can affect the motivation of participants. But of course, the specific content of the workshop also has a significant impact on the outcome.One of the most important things we want to emphasize is the need for a playful twist. We want to include playful elements to relax participants and allow their creativity to flourish.Tactile and creative activities are sure to stimulate a brain that is exhausted from the daily grind. Toy blocks, storyboards with rough drawings, and prototypes made with sticky notes and stickers are just a few effective examples. Playful work is more than just fun; it can be relaxing and create a psychological state in which participants' creativity can flourish. It is all about creating an environment for thinking outside the box.Especially in workshops that require long hours of program work, playful direction and methods are very important as a motivational agent to keep the participants engaged until the end of the workshop.&nbsp;&nbsp;Handmade checks make the final pitchI recently led a workshop designed to build a business pitch, starting with defining a problem, including solutions and market-entry strategies. The workshop involved several days of learning programs to flesh out the ideas, and ended with a pitch on the last day to present the business idea.As the workshop, which had been running for two full days, was nearing its end and the participants were approaching their physical limits, I decided to incorporate a simple activity to liven up the event for the final conclusion.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image4_f95cecf870.png" alt="image4.png">I created a handmade “check” to print out and give to the participants, asking them to play the role of “angel investors.” In this new role, they had to decide which team deserved the investment.From that moment on, the atmosphere brightened dramatically. Participants leaned forward to ask questions of the presenters, and a heated discussion began about which ideas had the most potential. At the end of the event, a mini-awards ceremony was held based on the tally results, and the winner was presented with a giant “check.”The scene-stealing performance with simple props transformed participants’ tired faces into enthusiastic smiles, making the pitch the highlight of the day.&nbsp;The reversal of positions made the workshop an extraordinary experienceThe reason why this performance drastically changed the atmosphere of the event might be because it reversed the participants' positions from “evaluation recipients” to “evaluation givers” by giving them new roles. Perhaps that was the magic factor that made the workshop an extraordinary experience.In any case, it is obvious that there is a huge difference in experience between understanding an idea in your mind and actually being able to see and touch it. Imagine yourself standing at an award presentation with a large check in your hand. Wouldn't you feel uplifted by that?Try to create an extraordinary experience by using props that you can actually touch. If possible, include a reversal of positions. Such small changes may create unexpected results in the participants' workshop experience.For me, facilitation is more than a skill. It is an art, including its mindset. I hope, through learning from my own failures and successes, these facilitation techniques help you provide a memorable, impactful participant experience.<hr>Text・Anna Hiraoka Senior L&amp;D Specialist at Moon&nbsp;Moon Creative Lab offers several programs to support startups. If you are interested in transforming your own business idea and growth, please check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA2503&amp;utm_id=storytelling+by+anna">top page</a>.

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<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2550/3300;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Subaru_b6c53fccc0_1_c34176d9a0.png" alt="Subaru_b6c53fccc0 1.png" width="2550" height="3300"></figure>Author: Subaru&nbsp;is a design lead passionate about crafting impactful solutions through product design and research. Her versatile background spans visual, product, and branding design, with hands-on experience in eCommerce, logistics, and healthcare. Since joining Moon, she has embraced her curiosity and commitment to innovation to create designs that improve lives. Subaru’s professional interests center on design, product innovation, and aligning business strategy with creative solutions.<hr>I recently had a conversation with other designers about the evolving role of design tools. As we talked, we noticed a growing trend—some teams are moving away from traditional design prototypes and opting instead for rapid coding to build their prototypes. This got me thinking:&nbsp;Do we still need design prototypes?After debating this in my head, my answer is a firm&nbsp;yes! You might be wondering why, especially since jumping straight into a technical prototype seems faster. But speed isn’t the only factor that matters. Let me explain why design prototypes still play a crucial role in the creative process.&nbsp;<h3>From Sketch to Code:&nbsp;The Key Differences Between Design and Technical Prototypes</h3>First, let’s clarify the difference between a&nbsp;design prototype and a&nbsp;technical prototype.<ul><li>A&nbsp;design prototype includes wireframes, mockups, and clickable prototypes. It can be created quickly using tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, or even papers requiring minimal resources.</li><li>A&nbsp;technical prototype is a coded, functional version of the product. It takes longer to develop and requires engineering resources.</li></ul>Each has its own advantages and trade-offs. A technical prototype provides a fully functional demonstration, allowing teams to test ideas with greater accuracy, assess feasibility, and uncover potential technical challenges. However, a design prototype enables rapid iteration based on user feedback, refining the concept before any coding begins. This flexibility helps teams adapt quickly and ensures they are well-prepared when development starts.For example, imagine you're in the early stages of designing a communication app. After several rounds of user testing, you decide to modify the chat screen layout to enhance the user experience. With a design prototype, you can make adjustments in minutes. Now, consider if you had jumped straight into a technical prototype—making such changes would be significantly more complex and could slow down the process.By starting with a design prototype, teams can iterate quickly, explore different ideas, and reduce the risk of costly rework later in development.&nbsp;<h3>Reclaim Your Focus: Innovate the Experience</h3>One of the biggest advantages of using a design prototype in the early stages is the freedom to explore new user experiences without being constrained by technical limitations. Without the immediate need for engineering support, teams can focus entirely on crafting innovative interactions and intuitive designs rather than worrying too much about how to implement them.A design prototype also allows test participants to concentrate on the experience itself rather than getting distracted by technical details. This creates a more authentic and unbiased response, leading to unexpected insights and organic innovation.By prioritizing the user experience first, teams can push creative boundaries and refine their vision before diving into development—ensuring that when it’s time to build, they’re working toward something truly impactful.&nbsp;<h3>Wait! What About Technical Prototypes?</h3>With all the praise for design prototypes, you might be wondering, what about technical prototypes? Are they still necessary? The answer is, absolutely! But the key is knowing when to use each type.&nbsp;<h3>What we need is… hybrid!</h3>Before jumping into prototyping, it’s essential to clarify&nbsp;your objective:<ul><li>What stage are we in?</li><li>Why do we need a prototype?</li><li>What are we trying to test or validate?</li></ul>By answering these questions, we can strategically choose the right type of prototype. Generally, we can break it down into two key scenarios:<ul><li>Use a design prototype → for early-stage ideation, user validation, and stakeholder alignment.</li><li>Use a technical prototype → for testing real-world functionality, system performance, and technical feasibility.</li></ul>A design prototype helps teams minimize risks, refine the user experience, and ensure that development resources are used efficiently on well-validated ideas. Meanwhile, a technical prototype is crucial for analyzing feasibility and performance factors, such as loading times, response time, frame rate (FPS), rendering speed, and overall responsiveness.&nbsp;<h3>Stay Agile and Adopt a Hybrid Mindset</h3>The best teams don’t limit themselves to just one approach—they adapt.&nbsp;Be flexible. Stay hybrid. Always ask yourself:&nbsp;What is the purpose of this prototype? Let that answer guide your process to success.

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<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/1052170837?share=copy"></oembed></figure>While a wide range of research methods exist, interviews are often favored for their speed and ease of execution, especially when resources are limited. However, is the information gathered through interviews truly sufficient?<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/field-research1">In the previous article</a>, we explored the fundamentals of research and highlighted the significance of field research. This article delves deeper into field research—despite being time-consuming and labor-intensive, it plays a crucial role in uncovering valuable insights. We will illustrate its importance with real-world examples from Moon Creative Lab’s venture, MariMari. &nbsp;Table of Contents<ol><li>Marimari Project Overview</li><li>Why Field Research?</li><li>Research Planning</li><li>Research Practices and Findings</li></ol>&nbsp;<h3>1.Marimari Project Overview</h3>Marimari is a project by Mitsui Indonesia that aims to solve Jakarta's waste management problem.In Indonesia, rapid population growth and urbanization have led to a surge in waste generation. However, essential waste management infrastructure—such as proper separation and collection systems, incineration facilities, and landfill sites—remains insufficient, raising concerns about environmental pollution and public health risks.Moreover, public garbage collection services are unavailable, leaving most residents to contract with private waste collection companies and pay a monthly fee. Many residents express frustration over inconsistent collection schedules and unreliable service.In response to this situation, Mitsui Indonesia is addressing waste separation, collection, and environmental pollution as part of its broader mission to create a cleaner Indonesia and promote ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.The project's name,&nbsp;“Marimari,” comes from Malay, meaning “Let’s do it!” The initiative was conceptualized by Aris Munandar from Mitsui Indonesia through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/learn">Moon’s ideation program</a>. He later advanced to Moon’s incubation program where the team began conducting research for business development.Born and raised in Indonesia, his vision is to “Make cleaner Indonesia a personal mission for everyone.” To bring this vision to life, he is collaborating with Moon to explore innovative waste management solutions.&nbsp;<h3>2.Why Field Research?</h3>At Moon, we prioritize defining problems and users to maximize the likelihood of product success. Clearly identifying "for whom" and "for what purpose" a product is being developed enables evidence-based decision-making and ensures services align with user needs.Marimari was no exception. Field research was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the problem, user, and stakeholders involved. The research had two primary objectives:<ol><li>Understanding Jakarta residents' waste-related behaviors, values, and pain points.</li><li>Understanding the waste collectors' business, processes, and challenges.</li></ol>The necessity of objective 1: Understanding different cultures Indonesia differs significantly from Japan in climate, society, economy, and religion, with over 80% of its population being Muslim. Conducting on-site research allowed the team to directly experience local customs and gain a deeper cultural understanding.The necessity of objective 2: Understanding an unfamiliar industry The waste management industry was largely unfamiliar to the team. Field research was crucial not only for understanding Indonesia’s broader waste challenges, but also for analyzing the structure, operations, and specific difficulties faced by individual waste collection businesses.&nbsp;<h3>3. Research Planning</h3>Once the research objectives were defined, we developed a research plan to determine how best to achieve them.1)&nbsp;Research Jakarta Residents' Waste-related Behavior<ul><li>Waste Stations in the City<ul><li>Investigate how waste is handled in residents' daily lives.</li></ul></li><li>Residential Home Visits<ul><li>Observe actual waste collection and sorting practices at home and conduct interviews with residents to understand their values and concerns.</li></ul></li><li>Resident-participatory Behavioral Experiment<ul><li>Identify the factors that hinder waste separation through observed actions rather than verbal responses.</li></ul></li></ul>(2) Industry Research on Waste Collectors<ul><li>Visits Waste Collection Sites and Landfills<ul><li>Observe the entire process from waste collection to recycling. Engage with business owners and on-site workers to gain insights into their challenges and perspectives.</li></ul></li></ul>Once the overall research plan was established, we detailed implementation procedures:<ol><li>Select target participants</li><li>Specify research methodology</li><li>Recruitment</li><li>Schedule coordination</li><li>Create discussion guides</li><li>Arrange recording equipment, consent forms, and other materials</li><li>Hire interpreters, if needed</li></ol>With preparations complete, the research moved into execution.&nbsp;<h3>4. Research Practices and Findings</h3>The following are key observations and insights from the two-week field survey.&nbsp;Waste Stations in the City<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1500/1999;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image4_93682afbf4.jpg" alt="image4.jpg" width="1500" height="1999"></figure>Upon arriving in Jakarta, we immediately noticed trash cans in shopping malls and office buildings designed for waste separation. However, as we observed users, many appeared confused about where to dispose of their trash.Was this due to unclear signage? Or were people simply unaccustomed to sorting? At this stage, the exact cause remained unclear, but we identified several potential factors:<ul><li>Residents are making an effort to dispose of trash correctly.</li><li>All trash bins are the same size and color, making distinctions difficult at a glance.</li><li>Illustrations indicating waste categories are attached to the bins but positioned too low to be visible when standing in front of them.</li></ul>While these challenges highlighted areas for improvement, a key finding was that residents showed a willingness to separate their waste correctly. This suggested that with better design and clearer guidance, waste separation could be more effectively implemented.The next step was to visit people living in Jakarta.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/1052171809?share=copy"></oembed></figure>Residential Home VisitsThe team visited condominiums and single-family homes to examine waste management systems and household conditions. This investigation revealed factors unique to Indonesia’s economic and climatic environment, including:<ul><li>The common employment of maids, even in middle-class households, plays a key role in waste disposal.</li><li>Concerns about winged ants and flies attracted to indoor waste.</li><li>The presence of stray cats that tear garbage bags when left outside.</li></ul>The research also uncovered the root causes of residents' distrust of waste collectors. Key issues included:<ul><li>Irregular and delayed collections leave residents uncertain about waste disposal schedules.</li><li>No uniforms make it difficult to recognize whether the person is a waste collector or a stranger.</li><li>Overflowing collection trucks result in scattered waste and environmental concerns.</li></ul>Additionally, residents expressed skepticism toward waste collectors because they were not required to separate waste. Many assumed that all collected waste was simply dumped in landfills, reinforcing negative perceptions.However, as the investigation progressed, the team discovered that some waste collectors were actively sorting waste by themselves. This finding highlighted that distrust stemmed not from actual practices but from longstanding operational transparency issues, fueling misconceptions about the industry.Based on these findings, the team proceeded with a behavioral experiment to assess residents' willingness and accuracy in waste sorting.&nbsp;Resident-participatory Behavioral Experiment: Exploring the potential of a sorting system<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:705/1000;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image5_d591820e6a.jpg" alt="image5.jpg" width="705" height="1000"></figure>When asked, "Why don’t you sort your waste?" many residents responded, "We’re too spoiled!" However, it remained unclear whether this was due to a genuine lack of motivation or simply a lack of knowledge and proper infrastructure.To address these questions and determine whether sorting could be successful with the right system in place, the team conducted a behavioral experiment involving 230 households to measure both their willingness and accuracy in waste sorting.&nbsp;Experiment details<ol><li>Distribution of garbage bags Two types of garbage bags—one for food scraps and one for other waste—were distributed to each household.</li><li>Measurement of Garbage Bag Usage Two weeks after distribution, the collected garbage bags were counted based on color.</li><li>Assessment of Sorting Accuracy Feedback was gathered from waste collectors to evaluate the accuracy of waste separation and the overall participation rate.</li></ol>Results<ul><li>Participation rate: 54%</li><li>Accurate sorting rate: 84%</li></ul>Despite the simplicity of the experiment—merely distributing garbage bags—the findings revealed that residents were more willing to separate waste than expected. The results confirmed that proper waste sorting was entirely feasible, provided that an appropriate system was in place.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1526/646;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/2025_03_14_13_59_22_5d6589e671.png" alt="スクリーンショット 2025-03-14 13.59.22.png" width="1526" height="646"></figure>Furthermore, the steady increase in the participation rate throughout the two-week period highlighted the importance of providing clear information on waste separation and the need for continuous efforts to raise awareness.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/1052172769?share=copy"></oembed></figure>Visits Waste Collection Sites and Landfills: Confirmed the lack of awareness of recycling activitiesPreliminary surveys revealed that only 7.5% of waste collection businesses handle the entire process from collection to sorting and recycling. To gain deeper insights into their operations, the team conducted site visits to observe their actual working conditions.During the visit, the team observed a facility using recycling equipment to separate plastics into 14 different types and compress them into small, fine pellet-like solids. However, it became evident that these recycling efforts remain largely unknown to residents.The distinction between businesses engaged in recycling and those that simply dispose of waste in landfills is not widely recognized. As a result, the efforts of recycling businesses are not being effectively communicated to the public, limiting awareness and potential support for sustainable waste management practices.&nbsp;<hr>This summarizes the field research conducted for the Marimari project. Through this research, we gained an in-depth understanding of Indonesia’s waste collection industry, shaped by a unique cultural background.We hope that the full process introduced here—from defining research objectives and designing the method to execution and key discoveries—serves as a valuable reference.Stay tuned for the next chapter where we’ll discuss how research findings impact the decision-making process in new business creation.&nbsp;<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:1440/2160;width:25%;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Moon_Creative_Lab_Yui_2_ab4b9bfe9c.jpg" alt="Moon Creative Lab_Yui_2.jpg" width="1440" height="2160">Yui Aiyama, Craft Lead

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<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:3024/4032;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/IMG_3695_1_427bf48618.jpeg" alt="IMG_3695 (1).jpeg" width="3024" height="4032"></figure>Moon Creative Lab recently presented to Stanford University’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stanfordfashionx.com/">FashionX</a> group, a student-led, pre-professional group focused on innovation in fashion design. The discussion dove into the intersection of sustainability and technology in fashion, with a spotlight on 3D printing. The fashion industry, long marred by significant material waste, sees much of its surplus end up in landfills, a problem ripe for innovation.Lovette Appleton, Sr. Product Developer at Moon Creative Lab,&nbsp;explored the pressing need for sustainable material alternatives in fashion, highlighting how this mission aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, which advocates for sustainable consumption and production patterns. The emphasis of the discussion was on how 3D printing could radically transform the future of fashion by disrupting traditional manufacturing and the fashion supply chain.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1600/1200;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/variloom_2_use_dac4ee2369.png" alt="variloom 2 use.png" width="1600" height="1200"></figure>Traditional fashion manufacturing often yields excessive material waste with designers forced to cut from bulk materials, leaving scraps and unused remnants. By contrast, 3D printing offers a precision-focused solution, enabling designers to build garments and accessories layer by layer, using only the materials required. Materials used in 3D printing allow for reusing and recycling, embedding sustainability not only into the reduction of waste during the production process but also into the end-of-life of the product as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;Moon Creative Lab’s sustainable 3D printed fashion venture,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/variloom-wins-ispo-2024">Variloom</a>, is tackling this problem and transforming the fashion industry by inventing new 3D-printable materials that create soft wearable fabrics that are fully recyclable.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1201/1600;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/unnamed_463dc1eb0b.png" alt="unnamed.png" width="1201" height="1600"></figure>We were thrilled to engage with students, answering their questions on scalability, material innovation, and the design possibilities of 3D-printed fashion. The collaboration highlighted the shared vision between academia and industry to pioneer advancements in sustainable practices. Stanford's FashionX students – future leaders in design and innovation – bring fresh perspectives to solving complex challenges like waste reduction in fashion. These discussions open up exciting pathways to reimagine how fashion can evolve in a resource-conscious world, aligning with Moon Creative Lab's mission to drive purposeful innovation that contributes to a more sustainable planet.&nbsp;Learn more about Variloom at&nbsp;<a href="http://variloom.com">variloom.com</a>.

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<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2550/3300;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Subaru_b6c53fccc0_1_c34176d9a0.png" alt="Subaru_b6c53fccc0 1.png" width="2550" height="3300"></figure>Author: Subaru (Ting Yan Wong) is a design lead passionate about crafting impactful solutions through product design and research. Her versatile background spans visual, product, and branding design, with hands-on experience in eCommerce, logistics, and healthcare. Since joining Moon, she has embraced her curiosity and commitment to innovation to create designs that improve lives. Subaru’s professional interests center on design, product innovation, and aligning business strategy with creative solutions.&nbsp;<hr>Throughout my time at Moon, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with an amazing team on various healthcare projects. These endeavors have been both fascinating and deeply meaningful, as they touch on an area intrinsically connected to everyone’s life. Healthcare is not just a service or a system; it’s a deeply personal and universal experience.“Health is like air,” one participant told us during an interview — a simple statement that perfectly captures the paradox of health. It’s essential yet often invisible, deeply personal but challenging to articulate. It’s this abstract nature of health that makes design research in this space so complex and rewarding.At the heart of every healthcare project lies curiosity: How do people define health? Where does it fit in their lives? What motivates or hinders their well-being? Uncovering these insights requires creativity, empathy, and the willingness to embrace abstraction.So, how can we, as design researchers, translate intangible ideas into tangible insights? In this post, I’ll share strategies that help us understand users’ needs and craft solutions that truly matter.&nbsp;<h3>Ask the Right Questions</h3>To truly grasp people’s thoughts on healthcare, our first instinct is often, “Let’s talk to them.” Qualitative research allows us to go beyond surface-level insights, uncovering rich, personal stories that shape people’s experiences.But when it comes to health — something deeply personal yet shaped by emotional, cultural, and societal layers — the challenges multiply. Asking someone about their health priorities or habits demands more than simple questions. It requires trust, sensitivity, and an environment where people feel comfortable sharing openly.Take the “BEEfficient” project, for example, which aimed to introduce healthy eating habits for busy individuals.&nbsp;The team sought to gain a deep understanding of the participants' eating and cooking habits. However, they knew that directly asking interviewees straightforward questions, such as what they eat or cook, might result in overly predictable and surface-level responses. So, how could they uncover deeper insights? The key was in asking the right questions: thoughtfully crafted ones that encouraged reflection without leading answers.Rather than starting with direct questions about food, we encouraged participants to talk about their daily lives, including work, relationships, and social environments. By exploring how external influences shaped their habits, we gained a more comprehensive view of the factors driving their lifestyles and values. This approach revealed unexpected insights and highlighted the interconnectedness of health behaviors with broader life contexts.In qualitative research, the quality of engagement is just as important as the data itself. By&nbsp;facilitating an open dialogue and digging deep into the participants' lives, we uncover insights that lead to meaningful design solutions.&nbsp;<h3>Make It Fun</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image3_5943838812.gif" alt="image3.gif">Speaking isn’t always the best way for people to express their thoughts fully. Often, individuals aren’t entirely aware of their deeper feelings or complex thought processes. As researchers, our goal is to gather diverse perspectives and enable analysis from multiple angles, uncovering hidden layers of meaning.“Interactive Interview Exercises”&nbsp;can transform the research process. These activities create a relaxed, engaging environment that encourages participants to share their experiences more freely.&nbsp;Not only do they provide thoughtful reactions, but they also make the process enjoyable, reducing the formality and pressure often associated with traditional interviews.For the “BEEfficient” project, the team designed “Interactive Interview Exercises” to explore the factors influencing participant’s eating and cooking decisions as an online exercise. Participants were asked to select and prioritize these factors, leading to fascinating insights. For example, while many spoke about their family’s influence on shaping their food and health values, family often didn’t rank highly as a direct influence on immediate food decisions. At first glance, this seemed contradictory. But it revealed an important distinction: family plays a long-term,&nbsp;passive role in shaping habits over time, while immediate food decisions are driven by short-term factors like convenience, cost, or cravings.The interactive exercise not only surfaced these nuanced dynamics but also fostered a fun, collaborative atmosphere. Participants felt less like they were being interrogated and more like they were engaging in a meaningful activity. By creating this relaxed environment, we uncovered deeper, more authentic insights while ensuring the process was positive for everyone involved.&nbsp;<h3>Get Closer to Your Users</h3>We’ve discussed the value of online interviews and remote interactions, but sometimes, the most profound insights come from stepping away from the computer and meeting users where they are. Going offline allows us to observe real-life behaviors and experiences, providing a richer understanding of the user’s world.For instance, a Moon Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR), <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/entrepreneurial-mindset?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=subarublog250207en&amp;utm_id=subarublog250207en">Serene Li</a>, exemplified this approach during her work on the venture “Vital Grit,” a product designed to boost workout habits and performance. She was particularly interested in how her product could serve families with young children. Serene wanted to explore the challenges and joys of exercising with toddlers aged 1-3 and the potential hidden benefits of family workouts.To gain these insights, Serene visited participant’s homes to observe their weekend routine. She examined the living environment, interactions between family members, and how parents guided their child through workout activities under her in-person guidance. As a professional trainer, Serene offered guidance, making the experience both observational and participatory.This hands-on approach uncovered valuable insights. For example, the team discovered that parents faced difficulties in guiding their toddler’s exercises due to their lack of motor control and short attention spans. But they also found&nbsp;a significant opportunity: family workouts could not only serve as a way to encourage healthy habits but also act as a prompt for building emotional bonds and strengthening relationships with a shared focus on wellbeing. On the flip side, the research provided deeper insights into the challenges of designing effective workout programs for kids and the difficulties parents face in managing their children during exercise sessions. These findings reframed the productʻs value proposition, highlighting emotional connection as an essential benefit of exercising together as a social activity. Additionally, the team gained a clearer understanding of the productʻs feasibility, allowing them to refine their concept to explore opportunities that connect individuals, workouts, and their environment through social elements.By immersing ourselves in users’ lives and observing their realities, we uncover challenges and opportunities early in the process. Sometimes, the best way to understand your users is simply to step into their shoes, or in this case, their living room, for a workout session.&nbsp;<h3>Turning Abstract Idea Into Measurable Understanding</h3>Design research is collecting tangible insight that bridges the gap between abstract ideas and actionable solutions. Whether it’s asking the right questions, making the process fun, or immersing ourselves in users’ lives, each step deepens our understanding of what truly matters to people. In healthcare, this journey is particularly meaningful because it touches one of the most personal and universal aspects of life.By embracing curiosity, empathy, and creativity in our research practices, we uncover the hidden layers of human behavior and values. These insights guide the development of impactful solutions and foster deeper connections between teams and the people they serve.Ultimately, understanding users isn’t just about collecting data; it’s about telling their stories, respecting their experiences, and designing with their needs at heart. As we continue exploring the intricate world of healthcare, let’s remember that every question, every exercise, and every observation brings us one step closer to creating solutions that truly make a difference.&nbsp;<hr>Moon Creative Lab offers several programs to support startups. If you are interested in transforming your own business idea and growth, please check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA2502&amp;utm_id=storytelling+by+subaru">top page</a>.

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<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:4200/2801;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcl_Dr_Conway_Ai_In_Healthcare_047_a767a7faad.jpg" alt="mcl_DrConway_AiInHealthcare_047.jpg" width="4200" height="2801"><figcaption>Moon’s Chief Creative Officer, Mike Peng, leading a Fireside Chat with Dr. Allan Conway.</figcaption></figure>A part of Moon Creative Lab’s Speaker Series events, AI in Healthcare: Pioneering Precision was an insightful talk on how artificial intelligence is emerging in the healthcare industry.Dr. Allan Conway, Clinical Associate Professor of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, UCSF and MarinHealth, was the first surgeon to use AI technology in a vascular surgical procedure for aneurysm repair. In a Fireside Chat with Moon’s Chief Creative Officer, Mike Peng, he shared his insights on how AI enables medical professionals to perform complex procedures with greater precision, and how AI can improve healthcare and patient outcomes.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:4200/2801;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcl_Dr_Conway_Ai_In_Healthcare_019_9a783f7378.jpg" alt="mcl_DrConway_AiInHealthcare_019.jpg" width="4200" height="2801"></figure>Opportunities for AI in Healthcare Allan discussed how AI can play a significant part in making healthcare professionals’ jobs much more efficient. By optimizing workflow and reducing the daily tasks that are part of medical professionals’ jobs, such as charting patient data and documentation, healthcare can become more accessible. More efficient operations and automated tasks would allow doctors to see more patients and spend more time interacting with them than on paperwork. Relieving some of the administrative burden that doctors face daily could lead to improved patient communication, wider availability of healthcare, and better access to care for underserved communities.Not only would AI make daily administrative tasks more efficient, but it would also help increase efficiency in the operating room. Allan envisions AI reducing surgery times by 20-30 minutes, which would allow doctors to treat more patients.&nbsp;The Current State of AI Allan and his team at MarinHealth used Cydar Maps, an AI-powered surgical platform that can create a detailed 3D map of a patient’s anatomy. Such visualization helps with pre-surgical planning, image guidance during surgery, and automated evaluation of surgical outcomes. This technology allows medical teams to better visualize during the surgery, operate with more precision, make better decisions in the operating room, and guide care throughout the patient’s entire journey.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcl_Dr_Conway_Ai_In_Healthcare_036_8a0e663cf1.jpg" alt="mcl_DrConway_AiInHealthcare_036.jpg">Implementation Challenges Like with any new technology, implementing AI in healthcare has not been immediate. Allan attributed the lack of AI-prevalence to financial hurdles. Most AI technology comes with high subscription costs, and many medical institutions might be reluctant to invest heavily into something that might not have the data to back the technology up — yet. But as AI technology is adopted, Allan is hopeful that as the data grows, so will implementation across the industry. To help overcome the financial hurdles AI technology faces, Allan thinks philanthropy and product champions are key. More philanthropic support from strong believers and evangelists of new technology could be key to ushering more AI in healthcare. No, AI Will Not Replace Surgeons With new ideas comes new misconceptions — and Allan addressed those head-on by assuring that AI will not replace surgeons. He emphasized the need to wane expectations about AI capabilities and that, instead of focusing on the fear of AI, the focus should be on enhancing and augmenting the work of medical professionals, not entirely replacing them.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:4200/2801;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcl_Dr_Conway_Ai_In_Healthcare_110_1e5f3785f2.jpg" alt="mcl_DrConway_AiInHealthcare_110.jpg" width="4200" height="2801"><figcaption>Pictured: Moon CEO Kaichi Yokoyama, Dr. Allan Conway, Moon CCO Mike Peng, and Moon CMO Mary Ann Gallo,</figcaption></figure>Moon’s Focus&nbsp; Moon is always open and welcoming to new ideas, and one particular focus area of ours is AI in Healthcare. How might we leverage cutting-edge technologies to deliver more personalized and better outcomes for patients around the world? How can we use AI to augment the already-incredible abilities of medical professionals and transform healthcare as we know it? If you have ideas, we’d love to hear them! Chat with us, attend an event, and meet incredible innovators and entrepreneurs by joining our Moon Community <a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1OHQANbcgR9q4ky5Q4M6wMQcxaid">here</a>.Interested in being a featured speaker at Moon or partnering for your event? Reach out to us <a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1u98RYOcPTfefjoRhgX-xewcxaid">here</a>.&nbsp;

News and Insights - Page 2

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When Health Is Like Air: Gaining Insights Into Healthcare Values and Behaviors

Pioneering Precision: AI’s Role in Transforming Patient Care

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