IMPROVIDE Co.,Ltd.

Improvides is a design company in Sapporo, founded in July 2007 and led by president Hajime Kobayashi with director Kosuke Ikehata. From its office in Chuo-ku, at Minami 14-jo Nishi 6-chome 5-1, it works on what it calls designing both sides: the visible surface of a business and the structures behind it, from management upstream to manufacturing and sales downstream.

The practice covers brand consulting, design management, vision building, marketing communication, product development, packaging and web design. Three themes organise the work: local and social design built around Hokkaido’s food, tourism and education; sustainable systems that keep running after launch; and brand and communication made for the long term. Work includes the ONSEN JOURNEY platform and a tourism branding guidebook for Hokkaido’s economy and industry bureau.