Me and the DENSO Design Department

At the DENSO Design Department, we are currently working on a project called "toDEN," which visualizes the connections to DENSO using diagrams and lines.

Why did you specifically choose DENSO?
What does it mean to work as a designer at DENSO?

Sugawara, a designer who joined in 2024, interviewed Tezuka in a casual conversation about their connection to DENSO.

Why did you choose DENSO?

Iʼve always liked drawing and animation, especially works by Ryo Inoue from Bijutune!, which led me to attend an art university. At the university, I was part of a program called "Future Value Design," where we proposed ideas to create future value. There were no specific technical requirements, and the guideline was simply, "As long as it breaks conventional concepts of the future, anything goes!" (laughs). So, rather than deeply studying technology, I focused on value creation and challenged myself with hands-on projects.

It turns out that my professor was a former DENSO employee! The professor encouraged me, saying, "Why not try going to a big company first?" Thatʼs when I started thinking, "DENSO seems like a good option."

However, I didnʼt really know much about the company until I attended an internship. The internship was so enjoyable that it became the decisive factor in my decision to join DENSO. The theme of the internship was "Safety 30 years from now," and the task was to come up with proposals by combining two words, which felt a bit like science fiction. I was responsible for "convenience store" and "family," and being told, "Feel free to come up with any ideas from here!" was a lot of fun! The department head also said, "At DENSO, you can do anything!" and I realized the company suited me better than I had imagined. After that, I didnʼt think too much and just went for it (laughs). I didnʼt hesitate about joining at all.

What was a turning point or anchor for you as a designer?

My first impression after joining was, "This company is even more focused on manufacturing than I expected." Compared to those who joined design production companies, I felt the company structure was quite different. During the new employee training, I worked on the factory line and saw firsthand the seriousness with which they approach manufacturing, which made me realize how difficult it is to ensure quality and safety. I also started thinking more personally about topics like the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) compared to before I joined. Above all, the warmth and support I received in this unfamiliar workplace made me want to live kindly and be considerate of others.

Another thing I realized on the technical side was that the work I had been creating wasnʼt really logo design (laughs). I had been doing graphic design, but working with senior colleagues made me realize, "I wasnʼt doing proper graphic design at all!"
Since then, Iʼve been studying the necessary techniques alongside my regular work. Right now, Iʼm also taking external classes as part of an internal graphic design training program.

Iʼm in my second year at the company, and what feels different compared to the first year is that itʼs not just about hands-on work anymore. Initially, I did a lot of hands-on tasks and felt more like a designer, but gradually, Iʼve found myself asking, "What is this really about?" before getting into the work itself.
Also, I used to think that "thinking about the future" was the same as what I did in university, but approaching it from a corporate perspective feels different. At university, anything interesting was fine, but at DENSO, for example, when we think about "whatʼs going to be standard in the factories of the future," the future feels much closer. We understand the current situation through direct observation, consider how people in the factories work, understand the systems, and seriously think about the possibilities. Itʼs a different perspective, considering the feasibility and looking at the real world.

What supports you?

As for the future, I honestly feel like Iʼm still figuring it out (laughs). Every day, Iʼm searching for what motivates me and wondering what direction I should take.

One thing I often feel is, "DENSO is more flexible than I thought." Before joining, I imagined it would be a much more rigid company. For example, in my case, my thinking and work were more art-oriented, but a senior colleague said to me, "Art is great! Keep doing it!" That surprised me. I think itʼs not just a place where you can freely do what you want, but also an environment where you can think deeply from within. If you express what you want to do, the possibilities just keep expanding. Thatʼs why I want to solidify what I want to do over the next two to three years.

And above all, I have people I can rely on!
Honestly, everyone is so busy that it feels hard to approach them, but they always respond!
Iʼve truly come to appreciate and feel the kindness of people here at DENSO.