{"id":134,"date":"2025-07-03T17:47:47","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T08:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connect.nissha.com\/surfaceworks\/en\/?post_type=stories&p=134"},"modified":"2025-07-03T17:47:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T08:47:48","slug":"surfaceworks-doors-toyota-01","status":"publish","type":"stories","link":"https:\/\/connect.nissha.com\/surfaceworks\/en\/stories\/surfaceworks-doors-toyota-01\/","title":{"rendered":"Empathy Opens New Doors: SurfaceWorks -Doors- | Exploring the Mobility Life of the Next 10 Years with TOYOTA MOTOR Co."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nissha SurfaceWorks has been exploring “the comfort that people feel” through the way surfaces are designed. To create products that will continue to be comfortable for people living in the future, Nissha has organized an experiential program called “SurfaceWorks -Doors-” as an approach to envision a future we can empathize with alongside our clients and partner companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The “SurfaceWorks -Doors-” Brochure \u2014 The “Door” symbolizes new beginnings, possibilities, choices for the future, change, and growth. Through the act of opening doors, we will create gateways to the future and new possibilities together.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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In recent years, there has been a global increase in awareness of sustainability issues as a significant societal change surrounding us. In today’s world, where changes are rapid and predicting a certain future is challenging, what approaches are needed to not only meet the needs of the times but also create products that will be felt as “comfortable” in the future?<\/p>\n

When facing such significant challenges in the manufacturing field, which involves diverse stakeholders across countries and industries, it is essential not to seek solutions alone as a single company. Instead, it requires dialogue and the sharing of knowledge and experiences among all individuals involved in every process, transcending positions and boundaries. Through these opportunities, we believe it is possible to increase options that reduce environmental impact and foster new creativity for a better future.<\/p>\n

In this article, we present the “SurfaceWorks -Doors-” event held in December 2024 with members of the Color & Sensory Design Div., Vehicle Development Center, TOYOTA MOTOR Co.<\/a> (hereafter referred to as Toyota).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anticipating Societal Changes and Considering a Better Mobility Life 10 Years from Now<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, the mobility industry has been experiencing significant changes due to the shift towards electric vehicles, the expansion of autonomous driving capabilities, technological advancements, and evolving concepts and lifestyles regarding car ownership and mobility itself. These factors are leading to transformations in the types of mobility and services that will be required by society five or ten years from now.<\/p>\n

Considering societal needs, how can we differentiate through CMF design (*1) and the standardization of functions to provide new experiential value? By predicting market trends and potential future societal developments, we aim to explore “comfort” that resonates with the sensibilities of people living in the future.<\/p>\n

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(*1) What is CMF Design?<\/strong>
CMF design is a design method that considers “Color, Material, and Finish” to enhance aesthetic expression and functionality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Nissha’s CMF samples displayed on the central table at the workshop venue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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SurfaceWorks -Doors- Event Overview<\/strong>
Participants were primarily young members in their 20s, who are expected to live as stakeholders in the next generation. A total of 12 participants, six from each company, were gathered with the expectation of inheriting technology and knowledge, continuously building relationships between companies, and generating ideas that consider the future as their own concern. From NISSHA, members were selected from both the design and sales teams.


\u25a0 Day 1: Experience with Nissha IMD Technology and Tour of the Molding Factory<\/strong>
To deepen their understanding of Nissha’s core IMD<\/a> technology, participants worked in pairs to mix corporate colors, and experienced the entire process from gravure printing to drying and molding.<\/p>\n

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\u25a0 Day 2: Workshop on Mobility Life of the Next 10 Years<\/strong>
Participants were divided into three groups to set tasks, discuss, present interim findings, and share ideas based on various inputs such as both companies’ perspectives on CMF design, trend research and analysis approaches, and material introductions for inspiration.<\/p>\n

To elicit questions toward a desirable future, the inputs were carefully conducted. By considering trends from both a forecast starting from the near future (2-3 years ahead) and a backcast from the distant future visible through megatrends, we predicted the shape of mobility that will be required in society 10 years from now.<\/p>\n

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Input 1: Megatrends for the Next 10 Years<\/strong>
Takayuki Yamamoto, Trend Analysis Leader of the Design & CMF Group and workshop facilitator, presented the research and analysis used in the creation of Nissha Trend Vision<\/a>, as well as the megatrends expected in Japan and abroad for 2030 and 2040. For example, in Japan, it will be necessary to consider mobility and CMF design while taking into account potential societal trends such as “addressing social issues arising from population decline ahead of other countries.”


Input 2: Material Inspiration<\/strong>
A corner was set up at the workshop venue displaying a vast archive of materials to provide participants with inspiration from information, colors, and textures. We also introduced recently developed materials, such as plant-based materials that allow for brilliant design expressions.


To generate ideas that resonate more deeply, we carefully allocated time for inputs. This allowed participants to understand each company’s perspectives and strengths before engaging in group discussions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\"\"