Research & Consulting
Design Management
Success in creative work begins with framing the right problem—“What should design solve?” We provide consulting and advisory services from the earliest stages. Through qualitative and quantitative research, design strategy, product and service concepting, branding, and scenario planning—along with visualization and workshop facilitation to foster organizational consensus—we deeply understand and gain insights into our clients' needs and business contexts and create clear, actionable paths to growth.
Product & UX Design
We have extensive experience and a proven track record across diverse industries, both in B2C products such as household appliances, home equipment, personal mobility, and recreational items, and B2B products and systems for industrial and professional use. This includes a strong history of successful design localization in international markets. We also design software (including UI) and provide end-to-end support. As the convergence of hardware and software increasingly defines product value and experience, we treat both as an integrated discipline and design the holistic UX.
Communication Design
Across fields such as internal and external branding, CI VI, packaging design, and web design, we act as a creative bridge, structuring clients’ messages and delivering them to target audiences. Thanks to our strong skill sets in visual organization and prioritization of information, we develop communication strategies supporting deployment across various media including printed materials, websites, and smartphone applications. Furthermore, we provide localization and support for global rollouts in collaboration with our overseas offices.
Environmental Design
We design public spaces and landscapes at multiple scales, including wayfinding and signage systems, street furniture and other built elements, and interiors and façades for retail and workplace environments. Beyond tangible design, we also provide intangible design services, including workshop planning and facilitation to build consensus among residents and stakeholders and to foster communities.
Independent Research
At GK Kyoto, we pursue independent, in-house research rooted in our members’ day-to-day experiences and commitment to societal challenges. We continuously explore themes such as disaster preparedness and resilience, traditional industries, urban development in Kyoto, and universal design. Recognizing that no single organization has all the answers, we partner on research with external experts and practitioners. We are establishing our office as a research hub and, with an open mindset and a spirit of innovation, we welcome cross-disciplinary collaboration.