Born in 1958.  Graphic designer; Professor at the Musashino Art university. Art director of MUJI since 2002. Kenya Hara is interested in designing “circumstances” or “conditions” rather than “things.”

He traveled the world widely in an attempt to investigate the meaning of “design.”  These efforts were crystallized in the international touring exhibits, “RE-DESIGN,” “HAPTIC,” and “SENSEWARE”; each title representing a keyword that embraces the ever-changing value of existence.  He incorporated traditional Japanese cultural features in designing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Nagano Winter Olympics, as well as in the promotion of the Aichi EXPO. He has designed commercial products for many companies including AGF, JT, KENZO, was involved in the renewal project of the Ginza branch of Matsuya department store, and worked on the sign design for Mori building VI and Umeda Hospital.  

He has received numerous design awards including the Japanese Cultural Design Award. His book, “Design of Design,” (Iwanami Shoten, 2003) received the Suntory Art Prize, and its new revised and expanded English edition – “DESIGNING DESIGN,” 2007, Lars Müller Publishers, Switzerland – found readers all over the world.