Today on DESIGN X STORIES, we're exploring designs that seek to "Customize."

The idea of customization is already providing solutions in all sorts of fields.

I'll be visiting a factory where customers can discover how to put together their own unique furniture designs.

And I'll be meeting someone who is making a success of universal design in a fashion industry that doesn't always cater to everyone.

Every design is beautiful in its own way - that's the beauty of customization!

Our first stop is a furniture workshop in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo.

- Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Shaula.
- Hello, it's a pleasure.

This is architect Akiyoshi Koki.

Furniture is a basic lifestyle necessity.

But Akiyoshi provides a way to give each and every piece its own personal touch.

What do you do here? I see a lot of wood and machinery.

This is a CNC machine, for working wood.

There are 10-20,000 in the world.

It cuts wood like a 3D printer.

You just need to send it digital data.

They're made in the US, but we import and sell them in Japan.

You use it with apps and software.

Amateurs can create their own furniture and home designs.

- That's so easy!
- Exactly.

These parts, cut from larger pieces of wood, can be put together to make furniture!

Let's take a look at some chairs made in this way.

They all have such interesting, and unusual, designs.

All you need to do is send the data to the workshop, and they'll cut out and send back parts for assembly.

We feel that people need a framework to lower the barrier to entry.

So building the right software was a major focus for us.

I see.

Time to make my very own chair!

We'll be using the software that Akiyoshi developed for creating custom furniture designs.

We have six templates to choose from.

Let's start with a three-legged stool.

It can be customized in four different ways.

First, we have the overall diameter.

Then of course, the height.

The sharpness of the seat corners.

And lastly, the seat's shape.

Akiyoshi's workshop is also trialing AI functionality.

Let's give that a try!

There's a chat window.

If you tell it what you want, it will provide you with data.

No messing around with sliders.

My son's too little to walk, but I'd like something for him.

Something to hold onto as he starts walking?

Exactly.

'Small, for a child.'

Oh, it changed.

- Rounder corners.
- Yes.

Let's give it a strange request: Please add wriggly legs!

- Wriggly!
- Not very wriggly.

It's one interpretation?

Wavy, perhaps?

'A stool with wavy legs.'

That's not bad!

- Like this?
- Pretty good.

You put in requests based on the idea in your head.

It's fun to see something you never imagined!

- It's a lottery.
- An element of chance.

I want to add extra functionality, like specific measurements.

But we're not quite there yet.

- This is actually pretty cute.
- I'm glad, thank you.

The design data is sent to the machine, which cuts out these parts.

- Try putting it together.
- By myself? Okay!

It's a bit tricky. This is the bottom.

Oh, the bottom? So I need to set it upright.

Then slot this one in.

Tight fit!

Then the top. A bit tight.

Let's see... It fits!

It's done!

Now I need a "wavy" table.

I like that idea!

Most people think of DIY as lots of work. That you need expertise.

But with a little help it was pretty straightforward.

This is a great way to get into DIY!

To pique your interest.

Maybe you paint your design.

The key is that it gets you interested.

I agree.

I love the idea of shaping your environment with your own two hands!

Akiyoshi wants to help that process wherever possible.

Check out this beautiful home in the open plains of Hokkaido.

It was designed using Akiyoshi's architecture customization software.

We made a few templates for homes.

Size and layout were customizable.

Once the customer has decided, the machine makes the parts.

Then everyone slots the parts together to build the home.

It's a collaboration with your customers.

Yes, a true collaboration.

It's no longer amateur clients requesting designs from an expert.

Technology helps us truly work together, side by side.

In December 2023, a house designed using Akiyoshi's customization software was built on Naoshima,

an island in Kagawa Prefecture.

People want flexibility today.

Not just Option A or Option B.

You're talking and collaborating together. It's much freer.

Yes.

Shaping your home or your environment is really fun. It makes people happy.

Customization is one more way to achieve that.

Getting to shape how you live changes everything about your life!

It opens up so many choices. I think that's very important.

What are your ambitions for the future?

You saw the furniture and the house. Next is building communities.

Interesting!

We really can build our own worlds.

And a world we've built is so much more interesting!

It gives us purpose and drive. So that's my goal.

That's really wonderful.

Teaching people the joy of working with their hands - a passion that led Akiyoshi to customization.

I really enjoyed my visit!

Now let's take a look at a custom design that's becoming a hit in Japan.

Plastic models are assembled from kits.

They have a reputation for strict replication of forms and visuals.

People get a deep sense of satisfaction when they complete a model.

The pleasure of observing a perfect replica has captivated many fans.

But the joy of customization has drawn some fans to a particular line of models.

This series of robots.

Saida Naoki is one of the developers.

There are a lot of very sophisticated, high-quality models out there.

But I also wanted more casual, fun models as well.

So how to make that happen?

Customization seemed like one great option.

It means people can tweak them to suit their own stories.

That was the initial inspiration for the series.

There are 14 basic types.

Naturally there's a wide variety of colors.

But there's also a huge variation in designs -

some plain and simple, others with real personality.

There are over a hundred weapons and armor parts for further customization.

Instead of simply attaching these parts, the parts themselves can be customized.

It's even possible to create entirely new weapons and machine types from them.

Saida was adamant that each model should have limbs that could be transferred and attached to other models.

It's definitely increasing users' appetite for customization.

Why limit the torso to that role?

They could become legs! That opens up possibilities.

Saida's ideas took flight, and online events showcasing different models now receive upwards of 7,000 submissions.

Each submission is totally unique.

Some use unexpected parts in surprising ways.

This model put attachable limbs onto the figure's helmet!

Another submission attaches parts to the face.

And check this model out:

It transforms into a grave.

It's made up of an astonishing variety of parts.

These are true feats of imagination.

A sign of how much their creators enjoy the work.

Using customization to imitate another object inspires new ideas.

It's a font for the imagination, and I hope to see it take off.

From high-end brands to fast fashion, the fashion industry is always looking for new trends.

Today I'm visiting a gym in Chiba Prefecture to Tokyo's east.

Tanaka-san? Hello, I'm Andy.

Hi, I'm Tanaka Misaki.

Tanaka is working on several projects that use design to tackle social issues.

Here, she's developing fashion, for which every part can be customized to fit the individual.

Some people have figures or disabilities that mean they don't fit off-the-rack clothes.

Here, they're free to truly enjoy fashion.

In 2022, the project won a globally recognized design award.

What's happening here today?

We'll show a collection in Vancouver. We're here to rehearse.

- A fashion show?
- Yes.

How interesting! So you rented the gym?

Our models and staff are all here for meetings and rehearsals.

Almost all of the models traveling from Japan have never been on a catwalk.

And there's a reason for that.

We were invited to take part.

The Vancouver team organized everything, including our models.

But to be blunt, that means that they'll all have a model's figure.

Professional models.

It means we can't showcase how our clothes are made to fit anyone.

- No diversity.
- Exactly.

Fashion almost anyone can wear and enjoy.

How does customization play into this?

This is your collection?

The sleeves are customizable. The collar and length as well.

We can add up to 40 cm here.

I see.

These are magnetic buttons. Also....

Is that velcro?

Magnets can pop open under stress, so the velcro helps.

I see.

Also it helps folks with dementia or autism place the buttons correctly.

Velcro first, then it's a very simple motion to close.

We provide a total of 1600 customizations.

That many!

Did that happen over time?

You must get requests that lead to new options.

Yes, we work with our customers on new ideas.

I see.

Some folks have trouble raising their arms.

These pockets can be reached from the side without lifting your elbow.

Interesting! Great design.

Functionality is about what suits an individual.

- It's a different realm to fashion.
- That's true.

Lots of folks don't want to wear clothes that show their disabilities.

I see, yes.

They want clothes that do both.

Clothes that look chic but are also easy to wear.

So well thought-out.

Sharp, yet functional designs.

Giving equal weight to both elements is the core of the brand's concept.

This jacket is a perfect symbol of the project, which began in 2020.

It also uses magnets.

There's no visual clue, is there?

The raglan sleeves work for those with round shoulders or a wheelchair.

It would offer a great fit.

It also has ribbing at the cuffs.

These parts here?

It makes it easier to pull up the sleeves.

Oh, I see!

Useful for washing your hands.

Wheelchair users can sometimes dirty their cuffs on the wheels.

Lots of folks said they felt stuck wearing dark colors and nylon.

So we designed sleeves that were easy to roll up.

Which also makes life a bit easier for abled wearers.

Creating for folks with special needs improves things for everyone.

- That's it, yes.
- Right?

I know you started out on your own but the project has grown.

How did you reach out to start building your team?

I put out calls for help with this issue on social media.

You took action!

It began on social media.

Medical care facility workers told us the kinds of clothes they needed.

We met occupational and physical therapists and various experts.

And manufacturers asked to help. They know fashion has to change.

We now have 40 people on the team to test, make, and analyze clothes.

That's amazing!

It's fascinating. Some items can't be worn for religious reasons.

Another item needs a new shoulder line for wider range of movement.

Fashion designers suggest techniques that minimize manufacturing waste.

- A lot of expertise.
- And clashing opinions!

And your role is to bring them all together, right?

You must learn a great deal.

Oh, totally!

New discoveries?

There are users who sacrifice a little function for extra fashion.

Workers explain they need smaller, more gradual orders for stability.

I learned that dialogue makes both creators and buyers happy.

Amazing.

The diverse expertise of her colleagues has allowed Tanaka to expand her customization options.

One person taking part in the Vancouver fashion show started out as a fan of the brand.

In 2017, Maruhashi Shu had his cervical cord damaged in a traffic accident.

What changed after discovering Tanaka-san's fashion brand?

I used to love dressing up to go out. It made me happy.

But I grew used to sweatpants because it was easier, you know?

The brand gave me new choices. I was happier and began going out more.

I see, so you'd stopped going out.

This line of clothes changed the way you feel, and the way you think.

There was no pleasure in going out.

Now, it's exciting. That's a pretty major change.

Yoshizaka suffered from trauma.

Wearing this loose jacket makes her feel lighter.

It goes from professional to casual.

It stretches really well, and is so light! Perfect for any occasion.

Chic enough for going out. That's extremely useful.

High-school student Nao struggled with the restrictions of school uniforms.

No two people are identical. We all have our quirks, right?

Absolutely.

My arms are kinda long, and I'm tall and slim.

That makes finding clothes really hard. Especially uniforms.

I hated it, then hated school because they made me wear it.

The brand's customization really appealed to me.

I see.

My visit today has been eye-opening.

It was really great getting to meet everyone.

And seeing everything for myself.

Fashion is a necessary medium for changing oneself and society.

I feel as if I'm seeing the bigger picture after today.

A change in fashion, or by our firm alone, won't mean much.

It's about working with others beyond fashion, beyond companies.

Maybe with governments or communities, or local councils.

We need to provide everyone with more choices. That requires change.

In my visit today, I learned that this is Chiba's inclusive sports center.

But sports facilities that people with disabilities can use are incredibly rare.

Tokyo, a huge city, doesn't have any! And Chiba only has this one.

That was a pretty big shock.

Exactly.

Even those with great desire for change have limited choices.

We have to live with limitations.

Customization and choice are a huge part of self-expression.

They're necessary for us to be true to who we are.

Customization offers us infinite possibilities.

And diversity is how we achieve this goal.

I was really impressed by the extraordinary creators we met today.