j


1.Meeting KOPPA /
The story of the Traveling KOPPA

 

"KOPPA" means “pieces of woods” or “scrap wood” in Japanese, which was taken as a name of the designed furniture series and the team in this story. KOPPA started out as a challenge: Tamotsu Ito, an architect from Japan, wanted to utilize leftover building materials that would otherwise have been thrown away.

The meeting between KOPPA and Wacom was pure happenstance. In July 2019, Nobu Ide, Wacom’s president & CEO and Rita Chen, Wacom’s technical marketing manager, visited the new office of mui Lab, Inc. in Kyoto which was designed by Tamotsu. He created a design concept that was based on the historical planning and module of the Kyoto Machiya building types, a feature that fascinated them.


Nobu:

After we met Tamotsu at the mui office, we visited an exhibition (*) that he was part of.
*"Under 35 Young Architects Exhibition"

Rita:
I noticed a bookshelf placed inconspicuously in the corner among the works of the various architects exhibited.

Nobu:
I wasn’t even sure if the shelf was one of his designed pieces to be honest at first glance, but I thought that either way, it would be great for our next exhibition after we read its caption. Our exhibitions not only display our technologies, but also the stories behind them. I was intrigued and felt that their concept would fit perfectly with ours. Since we didn't have much time until our next exhibition, I asked if we could buy the shelf on the spot.


Tamotsu, Moe (planner), and Shokichi (carpenter) were all at the venue. It was KOPPA’s first exhibition – and also the beginning of much more to come. The result was that "Traveling KOPPA" – a new type of display furniture developed from the original KOPPA concept – was created.


Nobu:

It was impressive when I met Shokichi. When I asked if we could buy it, his answer was "I’m a carpenter!". I talked to Tamotsu and his first word was "Yes!". He was already one step ahead and kindly added that he can even optimize it for Wacom.

Rita:
I had wanted to buy KOPPA as it was. But when I heard him say that, I asked him a lot of questions to see if it would fit our exhibition concept. We talked about using more depth and making it lighter to carry around in a suitcase.

Tamotsu:
The biggest challenge was the weight. It was also difficult to make the size fit in a suitcase. The timeline was also really tight. But I knew we could do it because we were motivated by how much we would enjoy a new creative challenge, rather than doing it purely for business reasons. The whole project really depended on whether we could interpret limits and conditions in a positive way and just have fun with it. I had a feeling that the Traveling KOPPA gave us interesting conditions, such as Wacom’s short delivery and mobility requirements for the exhibition.

Moe:
I was happy to know that Wacom was able to get on board with our interpretation of fun. We were just talking about how great it would be to continue working together on a small scale after the exhibition. That’s when we realized that we were already taking the next step.

Shokichi:
The initial idea behind KOPPA was to have fun, while eliminating construction wastes and our mixed feelings towards them. The simple fact is that we converted scrap wood into a product. But the more exciting part is that we – an architect, real estate agent, carpenter and bartender – were able to bring it all together. And that we developed a new project together with Wacom, a company that we never dreamed we’d be working with!

s   s

Continue to: 2. No need to destroy it anymore / The story of the Traveling KOPPA

 

 

Team KOPPA Profile

s   s   s

Tamotsu Ito

Architect/Principal of "tamotsu ito architecture office". He started KOPPA with the aim to work seamlessly across various dimensions and scales, such as urban projects, architecture, furniture, and interior design.

 

Moe Donaka

She’s the KOPPA team’s organizational lead and belongs to the "Arts & Crafts" design office.

 

Shota Nozaki

Carpenter/Artist. From interior design to art events, he has a knack for creating. Shota is also a representative of the architectural group "noma”.


  s   s  
 

Kazuaki Uemura

The owner of the bar “inspire” is a carpenter by day, and bartender by night.

 

Syu Ohki

Representative of the Institute of Life Engineering Design and is both a researcher of livelihood and a carpenter.

 

Explore projects

Watch and Talk – Screening Event for Refugee Film Festival Partners

We held the Screening Event for Refugee Film Festival Partners to set the stage for thinking and talking about society and the environment with our team members.

Read more

Finding Connections to Society Through Wacom’s Instruments and Technology

We will present a comprehensive account of our journey on exploring ways to connect with society and the community through meaningful experiences, centered around the theme of ‘Finding Connections to Society Through Wacom’s Instruments and Technology.’

Read more

Reflecting on the Last Five Years: Progress and Future Trajectories of Social Initiatives

We will reflect upon our five-year journey with CEO Nobu Ide about the intention to connect the future of Social Initiatives with our Meaningful Growth.

Read more

Our Sparks. “Focus: The Autistic Superhero Loves Comic Art!” by Yvonne Wan

Discover the inspiring works of community creators who collaborate with us. Today, we feature “Focus: The Autistic Superhero Loves Comic Art!” by Yvonne Wan.

Read more

Back to the Forest/Connected Ink 2023

The theme of Connected Ink 2023 was 'Back to the Forest.' Together with our community, we shared our memories of returning to the forest of Creative Chaos.

Read more

"CREATE Program" Expanding Future Possibilities and Connecting Hopes

Wacom Canada has been involved with the "CREATE Program" at Sisler High School as a partner to support students who want to embark on career paths in the creative industry.

Read more

Our Sparks. “Join The Journey” by Arian Rahmatzai

The 'Our Sparks.' pages showcases community creators whose works inspire and collaborate with us. This time features Arian Rahmatzai's artwork, a German talent who interned at Wacom.

Read more

Supporting Children's Dreams of Becoming Creators - 1: Initiatives with Kinko Town

The aspiration of children who dream of becoming creators is what ignites our team members’ enthusiasm and drives many of our initiatives. One such initiative involved teaming up with an animation workshop in Kinko Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

Read more

Wacom Yuify: Making the world a safer place for creators

Wacom Yuify is an innovative service being developed to authenticate creators' works by embedding invisible micro-marks into artworks and, therefore, addressing unique needs across various regions and cultures.

Read more

Initiatives in China – Bringing Digital Ink Technology to More People

Lannie Zhang, the only product manager in the Ink Division in China, took the time to talk to us about the initiatives planned to increase awareness and promote the use of digital ink technology.

Read more

wacom

Our Sparks. “At the beach in the early afternoon” by sammy

We would like to introduce the artworks by artists in Oiso Town, Kanagawa, Japan, where we have been working together to support the writing/drawing initiative.

Read more

wacom

Wacom Experience Center - A space for everyone to be creative

The Wacom Experience Center Portland was created for people to interact with the creative community in the city. We took a look back at its growth with Megan Davis, who has been playing an energetic role there.

Read more

Connected Ink 2022: What happens here is everything

Connected Ink 2022 opened with two key questions. Let’s take a look back at some of the sessions in Tokyo that explored them.

Read More

Our Sparks. “Wind Carrying Light” by Syuro

We would like to introduce the artworks by artists in Oiso Town, Kanagawa, Japan, where we have been working together to support the writing/drawing initiative.

Read More
oiso town tn

How can we support the “writing/drawing" initiative with Oiso Town?

The partnership with Oiso Town has developed into a city-wide initiative. We spoke with Tadakuni Tsubota of the Creative BU Retail Partnership about this initiative.

Read more

A side of the Connected Ink polyhedron - 2


How do team members see Connected Ink? The next team member is Yohei Himori who is involved in the planning and operation of Connected Ink together with Heidi.

Read More ::before ::after


s

A side of the Connected Ink polyhedron - 1


How do team members see Connected Ink? The first team member is Heidi Wang who has played a key role in the planning and operations when it all began in 2016.

Read More ::before ::after




th

How can we overcome barriers that exist in society? / Call & Response

In collaboration with Heralbony Inc. and the General Incorporated Association, Connected Ink Village, Wacom launched a new initiative called "Call & Response” in September 2021.

Read More ::before ::after



d

What Lingers in the Afterglow / Connected Ink 2021

Here’s a look back at the opening and finale of the nearly 70 sessions held that day and reflect upon what has happened since Connected Ink 2021.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Our Sparks. “The spark of love” by Jacky Yang

Our sparks meet constantly changing situations, unexpected challenges, and new opportunities. We called on our team members again to show how they see their spark in the world of today and the future.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Keep asking questions and moving forward / Connected Ink 2020

Connected Ink 2020 was the beginning of a new commitment and challenge for Wacom to continue asking those eternal questions that always play in our minds.

Read More ::before ::after

d

“Stage KOPPA”, a stage that connects stories

"Stage KOPPA" was created as a stage for Connected Ink 2020. It is a stage that changes its shape and role in response to different situations while connecting the various stories that occur there.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Our Sparks.
“Mam and Dad’s Child Interest” by Stella Wang

Our sparks meet constantly changing situations, unexpected challenges, and new opportunities. We called on our team members again to show how they see their spark in the world of today and the future.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Our Sparks.
"A moment on an autumn mountain" by Takahiro Yamamoto

We had an internal art contest for our Social Initiatives. Let us share the existence of the spark in our team members’ hearts with their artworks.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Online drawing class for elementary school students during stay-at-home period

Yoshinori Mita, a team member of Japan held an online drawing class together with FC KAZO and illustrator Suiiro to provide something fun for elementary school children to do during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Wacom's new initiative through soccer

As an official partner, Wacom supports FC KAZO, a soccer club in Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. We’re excited to introduce our new initiatives with this inspiring club.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Our Sparks.
"The spark is in you! Mirror portraits during times of isolation" by Oliver Madlener

We had an internal art contest for our Social Initiatives. Let us share the existence of the spark in our team members’ hearts with their artworks.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Online Sketchnoting workshop for children during school closures

Our team members in Germany organized an online workshop “Young Wacom” for the children while schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Support the "lives" of artists through customer support

Alex Duffey from our Americas Support team established a new program to support artists. We asked him about a story with Ms. Devon Bragg, the artist who inspired him to establish this program.

Read More ::before ::after

d

3. How KOPPA began /
The story of the Traveling KOPPA

KOPPA began in April 2019. Tamotsu wanted to make something that can be used again after an exhibition. We asked Team KOPPA about their thoughts.

Read More ::before ::after

d

2. No need to destroy it anymore /
The story of the Traveling KOPPA

We put it together ourselves, set it up, put it back, then travel together again. The Traveling KOPPA, our new display furniture came to be.

Read More ::before ::after

d

1.Meeting KOPPA /
The story of the Traveling KOPPA

KOPPA started out as a challenge: Tamotsu Ito, an architect from Japan, wanted to utilize leftover building materials. Our meeting was pure happenstance.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Our Sparks.
“That Spark Inside” by Simone Wolters

We had an internal art contest for our Social Initiatives. Let us share the existence of the spark in our team members’ hearts with their artworks.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Marketing lecture for future engineers

We gave a marketing lecture for students who are learning to be engineers at the National Institute of Technology Tokyo College.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Efforts by our sales member, who are responsible for a pen tablet until the very end

Every year, we take pen tablets that have been sitting in our warehouse and gift them to high school clubs and winners of high school art competitions to help students create digital contents.

Read More ::before ::after

s

For the Future of Education
Lifelong Ink x AI

"AI Ink for Education" was developed to capture eye movement information and pen movements while learning, in order to ascertain the characteristics of learning by each student and to create an educational environment suited to each student.

Read More ::before ::after

d

Wacom Intuos have been introduced in a school to make classes more fun and creative

Yoana Simeonova, a software designer working in Bulgaria, introduced Wacom Intuos in a school to make children's IT classes more fun.

Read More ::before ::after

The Company's basic compliance policy, such as codes, policies, and systems related to sustainability

Read More ::before ::after

Back to top
A+ A-
Feedback
Support