Toppan Printing and Kyoto University Support Human Resource Development by Creating a New Methodology Based on

Supporting human resource and business development with new value creation based on a framework for applying the thinking logic of artists to business

Japan — Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. and Kyoto University are engaged in a joint project to create innovative social value by combining art and cutting-edge technologies. Based on this concept, the three-year “Toppan Printing Art Innovation Industry-Academia Joint Research Project”was established at Kyoto University Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (GSAIS) in May 2019.

As part of the results of this research, we have developed an “Art Innovation FrameworkTM” that connects the way in which an artist thinks (art thinking) to new ideas in business settings. This framework was developed under the supervision of Professor Naoko Tosa of GSAIS, based on the idea of utilizing the thinking logic that artists demonstrate while creating artwork. This is a new thinking method that aims to create completely new value through its application to business settings.

Utilizing this framework, Toppan Printing has been conducting a human resource training program with the aim of creating new businesses. The two-day training program includes lectures on “Art x Culture x Technology” and visits to various cultural venues in Kyoto. The program began in 2019 and has so far been held four times for selected mid-level managers, with a total of about 100 people participating. As of the end of February 2020, approximately 100 business plans have been developed within the program.

By implementing a human resource development program that utilizes this framework, we aim to develop businesspersons who can create unprecedented new value aligned with a new era.

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