The "power to cross borders" necessary to be on the user's side more than anyone else -- Interview with Shinobu Tanaka j
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2025 6:01 am
On Thursday, September 29th, Mynavi Creator will be holding an online seminar, Web Industry Evolution Practical Course #21, "LIFULL Designers Talk about the Power and Mindset of Crossing Borders."
Event information for Thursday, September 29th
For details on the Web Industry Evolution Practical Course #21 "LIFULL Designers Talk about Border-Crossing Power and Mindset" click here
Click here for the application form
The 21st installment of the "Web Industry Evolution Practical Course" is aimed at young to mid-career web designers who are thinking about their future career development . Shinobu Tanaka, who works in the creative department of various services at LIFULL Co., Ltd., will be the guest and will talk about the "power to cross boundaries" and mindset of designers.
This time, in an interview just before the event, we spoke to Mr. Tanaka about his career and his approach to work.
Profile Introduction
Shinobu Tanaka, Art Director, Service Design Unit Head and Service Design 3G Head, Design Department, Creative Headquarters
, LIFULL Co., Ltd.
Joined the company in 2012. Until 2016, he was in charge of service development, branding, and various promotions for the real estate and housing information site HOME'S (now LIFULL HOME'S). After the company name changed from "Next" to "LIFULL", he was involved in the creative development of new services such as LIFULL Regional Revitalization and LivingAnywhere Commons. He is currently in charge of the service design for LIFULL HOME'S as a whole.
Continuing to take on challenges in unknown areas and engaging in business operations across the board
-- Mr. Tanaka, you joined NEXT Co., Ltd. (now LIFULL Co., Ltd.) as a new graduate in 2012 and are still working there today. First of all, please tell us how you came to join the company.
Tanaka: I graduated from the Department of Information Design at Tama Art University, and during my student days I created a variety of works, including websites, videos, and animations. Outside of school, I worked part-time at a video production company, played in a band, and generally did a variety of things without any discipline.
I wasn't interested in a particular field, so I was worried about my career after graduation. But at one point, I realized that I valued the process of "delivering something with my hands." Just like my friends were happy when I drew a picture, I was happy when someone was happy with something I made. I wanted to go to a place where I could proudly practice the process of creating something for someone else.
Then I started looking for a job, and the first company I came across was Next (now LIFULL Co., Ltd.). Even back then, our company motto has been "altruism." When I was talking to employees at a roundtable discussion, everyone had their own altruistic ideas, and they all looked so bright and shining. I decided to make this my first choice (laughs). I went through the selection process and ended up joining the company.
-- Your desire to "create something for someone" matched with "altruism." What kind of work have you been doing since joining the company?
Tanaka: After joining the company, I was involved in the main business of belgium phone number data the real estate and housing information site HOME'S (now LIFULL HOME'S), and was mainly in charge of web service development projects. After that, I was assigned to the promotion and branding department, where I was involved in the development and operation of service brand guidelines and service logos.
Additionally, from 2016, I was involved in a rebranding project following the company name change. It was a very challenging year, as everything changed under the new master brand strategy, from the brand symbol to the website and even the relocation of the company premises.
After that, I was involved in the creation of new businesses such as "LIFULL Regional Revitalization" and "LivingAnywhere Commons." Looking back, I feel like I have crossed various fields related to our company's business operations.
-- When I hear about graduating from an art school, I imagine a career as a designer. After joining the company, you gained experience in a wide variety of fields. Was that your own wish?
Tanaka: That's right. I like "things I've never done before ." I want to challenge myself to do things I have no experience with, things I can't do, and things I don't know how they will turn out. By accumulating experience in this way, I feel like my horizons have naturally expanded.
Always keep "UX" and "brand perspective" in mind when designing services
Event information for Thursday, September 29th
For details on the Web Industry Evolution Practical Course #21 "LIFULL Designers Talk about Border-Crossing Power and Mindset" click here
Click here for the application form
The 21st installment of the "Web Industry Evolution Practical Course" is aimed at young to mid-career web designers who are thinking about their future career development . Shinobu Tanaka, who works in the creative department of various services at LIFULL Co., Ltd., will be the guest and will talk about the "power to cross boundaries" and mindset of designers.
This time, in an interview just before the event, we spoke to Mr. Tanaka about his career and his approach to work.
Profile Introduction
Shinobu Tanaka, Art Director, Service Design Unit Head and Service Design 3G Head, Design Department, Creative Headquarters
, LIFULL Co., Ltd.
Joined the company in 2012. Until 2016, he was in charge of service development, branding, and various promotions for the real estate and housing information site HOME'S (now LIFULL HOME'S). After the company name changed from "Next" to "LIFULL", he was involved in the creative development of new services such as LIFULL Regional Revitalization and LivingAnywhere Commons. He is currently in charge of the service design for LIFULL HOME'S as a whole.
Continuing to take on challenges in unknown areas and engaging in business operations across the board
-- Mr. Tanaka, you joined NEXT Co., Ltd. (now LIFULL Co., Ltd.) as a new graduate in 2012 and are still working there today. First of all, please tell us how you came to join the company.
Tanaka: I graduated from the Department of Information Design at Tama Art University, and during my student days I created a variety of works, including websites, videos, and animations. Outside of school, I worked part-time at a video production company, played in a band, and generally did a variety of things without any discipline.
I wasn't interested in a particular field, so I was worried about my career after graduation. But at one point, I realized that I valued the process of "delivering something with my hands." Just like my friends were happy when I drew a picture, I was happy when someone was happy with something I made. I wanted to go to a place where I could proudly practice the process of creating something for someone else.
Then I started looking for a job, and the first company I came across was Next (now LIFULL Co., Ltd.). Even back then, our company motto has been "altruism." When I was talking to employees at a roundtable discussion, everyone had their own altruistic ideas, and they all looked so bright and shining. I decided to make this my first choice (laughs). I went through the selection process and ended up joining the company.
-- Your desire to "create something for someone" matched with "altruism." What kind of work have you been doing since joining the company?
Tanaka: After joining the company, I was involved in the main business of belgium phone number data the real estate and housing information site HOME'S (now LIFULL HOME'S), and was mainly in charge of web service development projects. After that, I was assigned to the promotion and branding department, where I was involved in the development and operation of service brand guidelines and service logos.
Additionally, from 2016, I was involved in a rebranding project following the company name change. It was a very challenging year, as everything changed under the new master brand strategy, from the brand symbol to the website and even the relocation of the company premises.
After that, I was involved in the creation of new businesses such as "LIFULL Regional Revitalization" and "LivingAnywhere Commons." Looking back, I feel like I have crossed various fields related to our company's business operations.
-- When I hear about graduating from an art school, I imagine a career as a designer. After joining the company, you gained experience in a wide variety of fields. Was that your own wish?
Tanaka: That's right. I like "things I've never done before ." I want to challenge myself to do things I have no experience with, things I can't do, and things I don't know how they will turn out. By accumulating experience in this way, I feel like my horizons have naturally expanded.
Always keep "UX" and "brand perspective" in mind when designing services