Product Design

「あ」


Japanese unique character "Ah"

Concept

Year 2012Vimeo

We use the characters in our daily life. And these visual characters have various, context-dependent meanings. In the Japanese system of hiragana, “あ” [ah] is the most flexible character.

Despite its simple sound, different inflections can express various human emotions: joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. As such, the character of “あ” [ah] must reflect the emotional nuances of its use in the highly context-dependent culture of Japan. People often use this character without realizing its various expressions.

To make them know this amazing feature, we proposed an object whose visual shape is the character “あ” [ah]. When people play with the object striking, bending, or rubbing, the various sounds of “あ” [ah] are expressed.

Through the communicative possibilities of “あ” [ah], we can learn to appreciate the nuanced relationship between a character and its meaning.

Gallery


Business in charge

コンセプト、ハードウェアデザイン、インタラクションデザイン


Location

IVRC2012

場所
日本科学未来館

アジアデジタルアート大賞展

場所
福岡アジア美術館

SENSORS IGNITION

場所
虎ノ門ヒルズ

魔法の美術館

場所
熊本市現代美術館

魔法の美術館

場所
大分県立美術館(OPAM)

コンテンツ東京2018

場所
東京ビッグサイト

Credits

制作

team Panai


Awards

  • 2012IVRC2012 出展
  • 2012第18回 学生CGコンテスト 審査員特別賞
  • 20122012アジアデジタルアート大賞展 優秀賞

Media

  • 「あ」の形をした物体 – SENSORS
  • JAPANESE GIRL FUJIKKO REACT TO WEIRD TECHNOLOGY 「あ(Ah)
  • 這個教具有點A!互動字母捏一下就呻吟 日網友:跪求女生版 @ ETToday
  • World’s first moaning hiragana character either a stroke of genius or just plain weird @ Soranews24
  • 「あ」アート、触ると「あぁ」「あ゛」「あ!」制作者の日本語愛 @ withnews
  • 世界初! 日本語の「あえぐひらがな」がユニークで面白い!【タイ人の反応】

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