Tohoku University of Art and Design

Established in April 1992 by Yamagata Prefecture and Yamagata City, the Tohoku University of Art and Design is the first venture of its kind in Japan where a university built with funds by the government has been turned over to be operated as an entirely private university.

Tohoku University of Art and Design holds the following principles: to confer knowledge far and wide as a center for academic culture; to fully educate and conduct research in the area of art and design; to nurture human beings who, while developing their intellectual, ethical and applied potential, find joy in the process of creation, as realized through the unification of art and learning; and to contribute to the improvement of academic culture and the vitalization of industry.

The University is located in Yamagata, in the central part of the Tohoku Region. This area has a rich history starting with the roots of the original Japanese culture of the ancient Jomon Era over ten thousand years ago. This environment helps accomplish our goal of establishing a new vision of the world utilizing science and technology in concert with artistic creation and conscientious effort.

To foster in students the imagination necessary to consider others and the environment, the creativity to change society, and hope for their life in the world of the future.

1. The will to understand the true nature of things and clarity of vision: Imagination
2. The ability to give form to their thoughts and ideas: Creativity
3. The drive to identify and resolve problems: Spirit
4. The ability/intent to be socially and professionally independent: Sociality

At Tohoku University of Art and Design, our motto is Geijutsu Rikkoku (Nation of Art) and we implement this idea through an education which seeks to “foster in students the imagination necessary to understand others and the environment, the creativity to change society, and the ability to forge their own future.” When selecting applicants for admission to our Art and Industrial Design departments, we consider the following traits, in order to accurately and comprehensively judge the candidate’s capacity in their chosen field.

1. They are passionate about art and design
2. They have basic knowledge, gained from high school education and experience, and are capable of self-study
3. They are interested in society as a whole and are able to improve themselves by working in tandem with their companions

Art stems from knowledge and the pure pursuit of beauty; it has the power to grant dreams and hope to others, as well as give birth to new forms of value. We are looking for students who are adaptable enough to learn a diverse range of ideas and possess the spirit to constantly polish their imagination and senses, all while seeking to use their artistic abilities for the betterment of society.

Design is not just about aesthetics; “design thinking” has become an essential tool for the improvement and evolution of society. Without limiting their efforts to hobbies or mere self-expression, we ask students to imagine the ways they could use their designs to improve all of society. We are looking for candidates that want to learn about designing things both tangible and intangible, in order to become active participants in society.

At Tohoku University of Art and Design, our motto is “Nation of Art” and our goal for students is that, by completing our courses and gaining the required 124 credits, they will embody the objectives of our educational philosophy by fostering the imagination to consider others and the environment, the creativity to change society, the spirit to take on challenging problems, and the ability to use their artistic skills for the good of society.
To achieve this goal, we aim to provide students with the following four traits and 10 abilities.

1. The will to understand the true nature of things and clarity of vision: Imagination
   Students will build a wide knowledge base, broad perspective, and rich sense of beauty, through which they can discover and explain the various issues which exist in the world.
2. The ability to give form to their thoughts and ideas: Creativity
   Students will be able to express and share the mental images they imagine/feel.
3. The drive to identify and resolve problems: Spirit
   [ Art Department ]Students will strive to develop an independent “self” and with this strong spirit and artistic ability, they can introduce a fresh new perspective to society.[ Industrial Design Department ]Students will gain the attitude and will to use their design ability for the good of society, developing solutions to challenging problems.
4. The ability/intent to be socially and professionally independent: Sociality
   Students will develop a mature perspective on business and work, while acquiring the necessary traits and abilities to function well in society.