CREATIVE KIDS TOP Other Thunderbird School of Global Management

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2026.05.06
Thunderbird School of Global Management

Here are some photos from my last visit to Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management (LA).

Thunderbird is a business school that has earned a strong global reputation in the field of international management. In recent years, its Los Angeles campus has been focusing on developing talent with connections to the entertainment and creative industries. It also offers programs such as the Sydney Poitier Film School, as well as courses in journalism and entertainment law.

Although this was the main purpose of our visit, we were also given a tour of the fashion and design school’s facilities, which were truly spectacular.

The ASU FIDM Museum, affiliated with the university, is a comprehensive museum covering more than 400 years of fashion history. In addition to a collection of over 15,000 garments, it houses a special collection of approximately 200,000 items. It’s truly remarkable that an educational institution would have such an extensive archive on its premises.

During my visit, an exhibition featuring works by Vivienne Westwood, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Anna Sui, Franco Moschino, Gianni Versace, and others was on display.The entire space conveys how 1990s fashion continues to inspire contemporary creators and serves as a catalyst for reexamining the meaning of physicality and materiality in the digital age.

Original design sketches by Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, and others were also on display, and I wish I could have taken a closer look.

Another highlight was getting to see works by Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake.

In addition, the exhibition featured forward-thinking works by students, which proved very insightful for me as someone looking to launch a fashion division under the Chomorrow (a fun change tomorrow) concept.

I truly experienced the strengths of Arizona State University, where education, industry, and cultural assets are organically interconnected.


　

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  • Digital Picture Book Author

    Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
    Director, B Lab
    Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
    Chairperson, CANVAS

    After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
    He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
    His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”