table of contents
- The class got excited about "drawing poop" - a formative experience of "making things"
- Cook Do Do Do Ohashi's Creative
- "Ogawa Grape Farm" - Exceeding the "line of satisfaction" that you yourself will love.
- "Nagoya Tachibana High School Marching Band" - An independent production and client work, created by approaching the school ourselves.
- "poporpop" - Incorporating a fictional story into the overall structure of the website.
- The significance of independent production – creating what you like freely, without being constrained by limitations.
- We held a social gathering event called "A Farewell Night".
- I want to become a presence that is recognized not only on the web, but across various domains.
- That's all!
The class got excited about "drawing poop" - a formative experience of "making things"
What inspired you to become a designer, Ms. Ohashi?
Ohashi:I've loved "making things" since I was little, and I won awards in competitions every time in elementary and middle school. But if you ask me what really motivated me to pursue it... When I was little, I was a quiet kid and didn't stand out at all in class,I happened to draw a picture of "poop" and it was a hit in the classroom (laughs). The class got excited, saying, "Ohashi drew poop!"I was genuinely happy about that.
After that, we had another great time making marionettes out of school lunch bread.That's how I got a taste for "surprising people with things I created."Even if you don't stand out normally, you can communicate by creating things. That experience might be my formative one.
He said his formative experience wasn't just about "making things," but also about "getting people to react to them." He also mentioned that he considered becoming a pastry chef during high school.
Ohashi:I was also drawn to the idea of being a pastry chef because of the creative aspect. I even worked part-time at a cake shop during high school, aiming to become a pastry chef. However, I heard stories about the harsh working conditions in many places, and being naive back then, I thought, "Maybe this isn't for me." After thinking about it a lot, I decided to become a designer of miscellaneous goods, since I also love miscellaneous goods.
So that's how you ended up working for an interior design company. But I heard you went to Nagoya University of Arts and Design, specifically the jewelry design course.
Ohashi:It's jewelry, so it's not really related to general merchandise, but the jewelry design course allows you to use a variety of materials. Even though it's jewelry, I think it's similar to general merchandise in that you can try out all sorts of materials, like carving wood or making things out of ceramics.
That's interesting. Normally, one would go to a vocational school specializing in general merchandise, but Ms. Ohashi thought it would be better to study in the jewelry design course.
Ohashi:That's right. I wasn't drawn to making jewelry, but rather to what they were doing in the jewelry course. So after graduating from university, I got a job at an interior goods design company in Nagoya. It mainly dealt with textile products, designing textile-based items like blankets, pouches, and towels, but to be honest, I wasn't very passionate about what I was doing there.
Making textile products requires a lot of knowledge about textiles, and there are many constraints to be mindful of when designing. I realized that I wasn't feeling inspired in that environment, so I quit after a year.
I see. What led you to become interested in the web from there?
Ohashi:During my university years, I created an accessory brand for my graduation project and sold the products online. It was then that I thought, "I want to make the website more appealing to showcase the products," and that's what sparked my interest in the web. At the time, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I thought, "It would be nice to be able to work from home," so I naturally became interested in the web. That's how I ended up changing jobs and joining a web production company in Nagoya.
When I first joined the company, it was just the president and me. The president handled direction and coding, and I was in charge of design.For me, the experience here was very enjoyable. I found it fun to be able to "build the company the way I wanted" with a small team, and it was very rewarding.I was able to absorb a lot of things in the free atmosphere of a small production company before it grew big, and I felt the appeal of "being able to move freely" there.
At the time, I enjoyed the feeling of "creating my own company the way I wanted," and I feel that the experience I had there shaped who I am today.
So, you'll work here for three years, and then you'll become a freelancer?
Ohashi:I often heard the president talk about his work when he was a freelancer, and as I listened to him...I started to feel like I wanted to test my own abilities on my own.So I decided to become independent.
I resigned in February 2023 and started working as a web designer in April 2023. Did you have a strategy when you became a freelancer?
Ohashi: At that time, I wasn't thinking about anything, so I just thought, "Let's just move forward without thinking too much." A little while after going independent, I started to wonder, "Should I take a flexible approach that caters to the client's needs, or should I stick to my own style?"If anything, "defining my own direction" was the most important thing for me.
Amidst all of this, in May I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Inukai's office at NEWTOWN, and I consulted him about the things I was worried about. He encouraged me by saying, "You have a great intuition, so let's do something that only you, Ohashi, can do!" That's when I decided to "go all out and give it a try."At that time, I was working on the "Ogawa Grape Farm" website, and I decided to try my own style at this point.
Cook Do Do Do Ohashi's Creative
"Ogawa Grape Farm" - Exceeding the "line of satisfaction" that you yourself will love.
Regarding the "Ogawa Grape Farm" that was mentioned earlier, I understand that you were approached by a senior from your high school days relatively soon after you became independent.
Ohashi:One day, I suddenly got a message from my senior colleague, Ogawa, asking, "Do you have a favorite grape variety?" When I asked why, he said, "I'm opening a vineyard and I'm conducting a survey." So I told him that I had also become an independent designer, and we started talking about web design, and he said, "In that case, I'll create it for you."
When I first saw this site, I thought, "It's a mountain!" At the same time, I saw the words "vineyard" and was surprised, "It's grapes!" I thought it was interesting how it suddenly shifted from the macro to the micro.
Ohashi: I actually came up with this visual after seeing a picture of a mountain. When I first thought about how to present the vineyard, I thought "grapes" aren't cute (laughs). Oranges, lemons, and apples are cute, but "grapes" aren't cute, neither in name nor in appearance as a group.
While I was thinking about how to transform the noise (the unattractive parts) of the grapes into something as cute as possible, I happened to come across a "mountain image."That's when I had the idea, "Wouldn't it be cute if we made the grapes look bigger?"
Also, since Ogawa Grape Farm cultivates each grape with care, we wanted to incorporate the message of "each one made with heartfelt dedication," which led to this visual (which focuses on each individual grape).
In the initial stages of design, Ohashi starts by asking himself whether he "likes" grapes or not, and if not, he sets a "line of satisfaction for himself" by considering "how to make him like them." It's like he's thinking about the subject through his own senses and filter.
Ohashi:Yes, I try to view the subject matter with a pure heart. I'm also conscious of "differentiation," because on farm websites, the first visual is usually a photo of the farm or the harvested fruit. If the visual is the same as everyone else, it will get lost in the crowd, so I decided to use illustrations. So I thought about what kind of illustrations to use, one by one.
So, it's important to value your own sensibilities while also maintaining an objective perspective. How were the results after publication?
Ohashi:I was surprised by the huge response. It was even featured on Yahoo! News, and apparently the line of customers was so long on the day the direct sales store opened that the police had to get involved. I was happy because I had made some of the equipment for the store myself. But more than anything, it was Mr. Ogawa's own actions that were amazing, not just the website or the tools. I have the impression that the website was there to support Mr. Ogawa behind the scenes.
The response on X when the site was first released was also very positive.
Ohashi:This was largely due to Mr. Inukai's comment that it was a "carefully designed and beautiful website," which led to people connected to Mr. Inukai responding to the feedback. Of course, since the site also won an award, I feel that we were able to create something good.
As a result of putting all our effort into creating the site, we ultimately won the Goodpatch Award at the Studio Design Awards. How did you personally feel about that, Mr. Ohashi?
Ohashi:Yes, I think this is where I set my own "borderline." Getting a reaction to something I created purely based on my sensibilities also boosted my confidence. It made it clear to me what I should aim for next time—something that will exceed this level of satisfaction.
"Nagoya Tachibana High School Marching Band" - An independent production and client work, created by approaching the school ourselves.
Next up is the "Nagoya Tachibana High School Marching Band." This website was created partly as an independent project and partly as client work. Mr. Ohashi was inspired by a particular source of information and approached the school himself in order to express that in his own way.
Ohashi:Yes. A truly mysterious force was at work here too. There's a marching band scene in the movie series "Galileo,"The moment I saw that scene, a visual image immediately came to mind: "The club members are lined up neatly in a single row, marching while playing their instruments.""There's no way we're not going to make this."
At that time, I had the idea from the beginning to "try it experimentally."If we can create something amazing with this marching band project, we can raise the bar by one level.My goal was to attract job offers through the high-quality creative work I produced. So, it was like an initial investment.
In the case of this website, I think the creator was conscious of information architecture while also focusing on "how to convey the emotions they felt." For example, even though it's a marching band, there's no sound, and instead of realistic photographs, they deliberately used illustrations, which I think is a distinctive feature.
Ohashi:The Tachibana High School marching band had a passionate performance and cool uniforms, so I focused on how to best express that on the website.Regarding the sound, I felt that if I added sound, it would be like putting everything out there.While photographs have the power to realistically convey the atmosphere of a location, this time I wanted to recreate the "coolness" and "excitement" that I personally felt. Illustrations allow for the blending and expansion of many nuances, so I thought they would be a more precise way to recreate those feelings.
When I think about design, what I value most is "allure." Not everything, but something that makes you want to see more, or something that piques your interest.I believe that "sex appeal" is essential for creating a beautiful and memorable website.This website was also created with the intention of leaving room for imagination while possessing a certain "allure" that would make people want to see the real thing.
Is there anything in the website design you'd like us to pay attention to?
Ohashi:Of course, there are the illustrations, but you'll also notice a "cross" design in the NEWS section, which is actually a "stage mark" (a marker indicating the positions of performers, etc.). I pay attention to these kinds of small details, so I'd be happy if you could notice those as well.
The moment you realize it's called "Bamiri," the site starts to feel three-dimensional.
What were the overall reactions and results?
Ohashi:At that time, I felt like we received a response from a wide range of people, not just from the web community. It seemed to have reached creators from other fields, people involved with marching bands, alumni and parents of the club, and I was happy to receive direct messages from them, which made me feel like we had transcended industry boundaries.
My own standards have risen another notch, and I've realized that "if you truly love someone, you can do this much for them." I'd always thought that there are some things you can only understand when you're completely in love, and I truly felt that at that moment. And it strengthened my resolve to "do more and more things that make me love someone!"
"poporpop" - Incorporating a fictional story into the overall structure of the website.
This is "poporpop," which was produced in 2025.
Ohashi:First of all, the representative of Popolpop was a member of "Boku to Watashi to Kabushiki Kaisha," a website I previously worked on creating, and was the person in charge of the production at that time. They liked my creativity, proposal skills, and ideas for little gimmicks, and asked me, "If you'd like, could you create the Popolpop website as well?"
Did you already have a vision of creating "pop music that surpasses expectations"?
Ohashi:The client already had a vision they were working with. However, while that might have worked internally, I thought it might be difficult to communicate to the outside world, so I proposed "pop that exceeds expectations."
One aspect of my website design process is that I can't create anything unless the copy is decided. So, in order to create a coherent design based on the copy, I suggested that we finalize the copy first.
The entire site follows a structure that can be described simply as a four-panel comic strip. 1) "FV," 2) "Corporate Vision," and 3) "Business Description" are presented as "a dream world of a girl and a rabbit." 4) The final panel brings it back to reality with "a rabbit doll and a girl's fantasy," and this is where the tagline "Leaping over imagination" comes to life.
Ohashi:First, I wanted to create a story that truly embodies the phrase, "Leaping lightly beyond imagination." I also wanted this tagline to be a message that could be relived on the website. As I developed the story, I thought, "This ending would be cute and give it a personal touch," and that's how it came to be.
In designing the website, I think the key to leveraging Ohashi's strengths is "translating it into a narrative." For example, just as a manga artist starts with a plot, Ohashi also translates the overall structure of the website into a narrative.
Ohashi:Yes, that was the case at the time. Popolpop is a content production company, but we do a wide range of things, such as character creation and board game production, so I struggled with how to bring it all together. At first, I thought about building it around the characters we created at Popolpop and the microphones we use for live streaming, but what I wanted to convey was too straightforward and lacked "flavor."
So I thought, why not go all-in on the "world of imagination"? I thought the balloon dog in the logo was cute, and since Popol Pop is an all-girls company, I had the impression that it was "a company where everyone is energetic and pop-like," so I combined those images and translated them into the visual.
Have you ever been conscious of anything on this site?
Ohashi:It's definitely the overall story, the message of the tagline "Leaping lightly beyond imagination," and the sense of reliving the experience. Also, the CEO mentioned "gimmicks" as something he likes about my designs. In "Boku to Watashi to Kabushiki Kaisha" (Me, Myself, and the Corporation), we've put effort into the little details, like this 404 error page.
Ohashi:There's a saying that "a large gathering of ants is a good sign that rain is coming," so I used this expression to convey the image of how it would be nice if a blessing of rain fell and many beautiful flowers bloomed (for me, myself, and the company). When creating the Popol Pop website, I thought of the constellation Lyra. I felt that there was a close connection between the legends surrounding Lyra and Popol Pop, so I subtly incorporated that expression.
This was only recently released, but the initial post got 19 impressions, so the response was huge. Did you feel anything in particular from that?
Ohashi:I hear they receive quite a few inquiries and consultations, which is great. Also, they've received a lot of feedback on X, which has led to opportunities for new work and several wonderful offers. I'm glad it's led to the next step.
The significance of independent production – creating what you like freely, without being constrained by limitations.
Please tell us about the significance and possibilities of "independent production" for you, Ms. Ohashi. In our previous discussion, you mentioned points such as "discovering your own style," "setting and practicing boundaries," and "connecting it to client work."
Ohashi:The biggest advantage is being able to create whatever you want, without being constrained by limitations. You can really showcase your strengths, which is something that's difficult to do in client work.However, if you seriously create your own project, your awareness of the craft and your standards will rise. You'll gain a clearer understanding of what you can achieve and how much effort is required.If that becomes my unique style, and people come to me seeking my work because they appreciate that, I would be very grateful.
Ohashi himself revealed the behind-the-scenes details of the website's creation.
Ohashi:In addition, In my case, I have a strong sense of purpose to hone my own unique style of expression, so I think independent production is meaningful if you have a similar goal.Actually, I have another project I want to do independently, and I'm working on it, but it's not in the realm of the web.
Because,Lately, I feel like I've become stuck in the world of the web, and I'm frustrated that I can't seem to break free from it.So, I thought that by pursuing independent projects in new fields, I could show a new side of myself to the outside world. When you want to show a new side of yourself, independent projects allow you to easily challenge yourself with something you're interested in at the time and forge a new path. I think that's the good thing about it.
I see. This is a bit of a digression, but it seems to me that you have a lot of "narrative worldviews" within you, and that translating the storytelling expressions and traditional essences of those narratives into "design" is at the core of your design work.
Ohashi:That's right. Things that evoke emotions, like "cute" or "cool," tend to stick in our memories longer. I want to create beautiful and memorable websites. I think that as I thought about how to create a structure that moves people's hearts, my current style of expression naturally emerged.
And in order to refine that expression, it's important to always be sensitive and have a sharpened sense of perception. I want to value not only what the other person says and sees, but also the atmosphere of the place and the deeper nuances.
In that sense, creating "fictional websites" isn't really my thing.I observe the customers' atmosphere, their preferences, and the chemistry among the staff, and then incorporate that into the design. Therefore, I can't create a design without that initial "guideline."So, in my case, even when I'm doing independent productions, I can't make them without an actual client.
We held a social gathering event called "A Farewell Night".
What kinds of creators and production companies are common in Nagoya, and are there any unique characteristics of the area?
Ohashi:There are a fair number of freelance creators, but there are many production companies, including graphic and web design firms. Some well-known firms, not just in Nagoya, include Studio Details, un-T factory! NAGOYA, and Aquaring. In the graphic design field, TAKI iC is a strong company nationwide, and in the advertising field, there's also Dentsu's Nagoya branch.
In that sense, there are many production companies and creators across the country that we can be proud of, but overall, they tend to be reserved in their communication and there's a "craftsman-like atmosphere" where they quietly and diligently work on their creative projects.
From a Nagoya perspective, Ms. Ohashi organizes a creator networking event in Nagoya called "Nagorioshii Yoru" (A Night of Regretting Passing).
Ohashi:I myself have participated in several creator networking events in Tokyo, and each time I've been inspired by leading figures and people from various professions, and I've made many new connections. So I wanted to bring that experience to Nagoya. There are a lot of interesting people here. That's why I thought, "I want to bring together people from Nagoya and hold an event!" and that's how "Nagorioshii Yoru" (A Night of Regretting Love) came to be.
I wanted to capture the unique atmosphere of Nagoya and create an evening where participants could be left with a slightly emotional feeling, so I chose a venue that fit that image and even prepared a playlist of Showa-era songs as background music for the day (although it ended up not playing due to technical issues...). When we actually held the event, it had a completely different atmosphere from Tokyo.Tokyo was very glamorous and there was a lot of interaction, but Nagoya was the complete opposite. It was very deep (laughs).There were many people who wanted to be closely involved, and I found that difference interesting.
I was also impressed by the little touches they had made to ensure that attendees would enjoy the event.
Ohashi:The fact that the organizers enjoyed themselves while participating in the event was a major reason why it was so fun.Also, with this event, I wanted to showcase a "Nagoya-ness" that's completely different from Tokyo or Osaka. It's not as flashy as Tokyo and is rather understated, but that's precisely what makes Nagoya so interesting.I kept in mind that "Nagoya has a unique character" when planning and designing the project.
What were your impressions after trying it?
Ohashi:I was so happy with everyone's reaction. Nagoya is a city with a strong craftsmanship culture and many master artisans. Apparently, in the past, people used to gather together and hold social events, but they stopped doing so completely because of COVID-19. So, I was really happy to hear people say that they were glad to see everyone again after so long, that they were happy to meet so many different people, and that they would love to do it again next time!
Also, I thought that the talk session would be attended mainly by people in the web field, so I invited guests from that field as well. However, when it came down to it, the attendees were surprisingly about half graphic designers and half web designers. So, in the future, I'd like to consider including more graphic designers. In fact, we've already started planning the next project (laughs).
Click here for the event report 👇
Let's relive that poignant night once more. | Kitagawa
I want to become a presence that is recognized not only on the web, but across various domains.
Before hearing your story today, I had the impression that you would continue to work more as a web designer. But after hearing your story, it's completely different, isn't it?
Ohashi: I mentioned earlier that I liked arts and crafts and making things, and I imagine your current job is like taking arts and crafts a little more seriously.So, in my opinion, it's fun because I get paid to do interesting things and interact with all sorts of people. That's what I enjoy. Perhaps it comes across that I don't really think of it as client work.
Regardless of the field, Mr. Ohashi's core motivations are both the desire to "create something interesting using his own sensibilities" and the desire to "have many people see it." Do you have any particular commitment to "web design"?
Ohashi:The web is currently getting the most views and feedback, which is why I'm in the web world, but as long as it meets my own requirements, anything else might be fine. This is also true for the new project I mentioned earlier; I have a strong desire to "pioneering a new industry."
So, could you tell us again about what you'd like to do in the future, Ms. Ohashi?
Ohashi:I want this year to be a year of experimentation. I want to challenge myself in fields and media that I haven't touched before, and expand what I can do and what my potential is. As I mentioned earlier regarding my non-web-related projects, there are many other things I want to experiment with, and I'm working on them behind the scenes.
I still feel like I'm trapped inside the "dome of the web." I want to expand my horizons beyond the web, into graphic design, 3D modeling, and other areas. My ultimate goal is to become someone who is recognized across different fields.
I really admire graphic designer Yuni Yoshida, and she's exactly that kind of person. She creates creative work that only she can do, and it's recognized by people from all walks of life. I know it's incredibly difficult, but I want to aim for a position where I'm recognized across industries as well. To achieve that, I want to challenge myself with many different things and broaden my knowledge even further. I want this to be that kind of year.
It's not about sticking to areas like web design or graphics; what's important is that it moves Mr. Ohashi's heart, right? I want to be sincere about that.
Ohashi:I guess I have a bit of an attention-seeking side... I think that in order to gain recognition beyond the industry, appearing on TV and getting interviewed properly, or participating in events like that, would be very effective.Right now, I'm constantly thinking about how I can get on TV (laughs).
I was wondering, for Mr. Ohashi, are client work, independent projects, and event planning all equally "creative"? That hasn't changed since elementary school; it's about "thinking up strategies, creating things to move the space, and getting feedback from people." It's as if "creating" and "having people see" are inseparable. Since that's Mr. Ohashi's "life's work," money isn't a factor, and he can proactively seek out new ways to create things.
Ohashi:Indeed, in terms of how to make yourself known, client work, independent projects, and event planning may all be quite similar. During my time at art school, a teacher even told me, "You really enjoy having people see your work, don't you?""Turning ideas into tangible forms and receiving feedback." I enjoy that cycle, and I think it's what gives me a sense of fulfillment.
Ohashi:On the other hand, I also enjoy the process of bringing my ideas to life through trial and error, so considering all of that, I think "design" is probably the most natural means for me.
And going forward, I want to actively take on more teamwork! Up until now, I've often completed projects on my own, but I want to team up with professionals in various fields to create high-quality work and expand my own knowledge even further.
Thank you so much for everything up to this point. By the way, I recently saw that Ohashi-san mentioned on X that he wanted to gather some people and play dodgeball...
Ohashi: Dodgeball! I posted it!!One reason is simply that I like dodgeball, but another is that I want to meet people I'm interested in.I do enjoy inviting people out for meals, but I think "Would you like to play dodgeball?" is more fun and a much lighter way to ask someone out.
"To play casually with people I want to meet." Dodgeball is the perfect way to achieve that, so I'm currently looking for a gymnasium to make it happen. I want to meet people from all sorts of fields, so if it happens, I think it will be a fun event, and I hope it will be a great opportunity for others as well!
That's all!
This concludes our interview with Cook Do Do Do Ohashi. What did you think? What stood out to me this time was...Ohashi's formative experience as an elementary school student—"creating things and getting reactions from others"—continues to this day, albeit in a different form.
His work extends beyond client projects to include independent projects, event planning, and even dodgeball. For Mr. Ohashi, "making things" goes beyond the realm of design, involving repeated experimentation, reaction, and verification. I felt that this is truly his life's work in every sense of the word. Mr. Ohashi doesn't want to be confined to the world of the web. iDID hopes to continue following his progress as he spreads his wings to an even wider world in the future.
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Now, regarding our joint project with Web Designing, "GOTO-CHI CREATIVE!", with the discontinuation of Web Designing's regular publication, the "GOTO-CHI" project will also be coming to an end with this seventh installment. Starting with Hokkaido for the first installment, the project has traveled from north to south and east to west, visiting Nagasaki, Niigata, Kyoto, Kochi, Okinawa, and now Nagoya, and we hope that everyone has enjoyed it.
What I've come to realize through my research so far is that each region has its own unique business and human resource challenges, as well as projects rooted in the history and context of the area. And within that context, various creators are working hard, either fighting their own battles or building connections with each other.
By looking at the land, you can see the challenges behind it, and you can find various creators there.
We've visited seven places this time, but that's only seven. From the perspective of all 47 prefectures in Japan, there are still 41 more to go. I hope to continue this project somewhere else someday... but for now, I'll put an end to this journey and put down my pen.
I look forward to seeing you again somewhere else.
This was the iDID Media editorial team!
