Japanese Design Firm Basco's to Launch India Operations

"The first ever Japanese design company in the domestic market "

Pune : One of Japan’s leading design agencies Basco’s Inc (www.bascos.co.jp) is launching its operations in Mumbai to exclusively service the Indian markets making it the first ever Japanese design agency in the domestic market specializing in new product development and all aspects of commercial design.

Stating that Japanese design is here to offer cutting edge creativity to an increasingly exciting Indian market, Mr. Tetsu Kimura, Founder & CEO of Basco’s, added that the Japanese school of design, characterized by calligraphy, the unique use of space, simplicity, subtlety and discipline characterized in the Zen way of life, will cater to Indian brands as per their target audiences and marketing strategies.

Mr. Kimura further stated that innovative and cutting edge design services would play a critical role in shaping the destinies of products and services in the Indian market. Over the next few decades, India is expected to see monumental consumer growth and heightened competition amongst products and services. “I would rate distinct designing very high for procuring the eyeballs particularly in a market where the consumer is increasingly spoilt for choice. We at Basco’s have helped major players in the Japan market for the last 25 years, and we are confident we can bring our unique know-how of one of the world’s most sophisticated consumer markets to the Indian market place,” added Mr. Kimura.

Some of Basco’s key clients in the Japanese market include Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Audi, Adidas, Panasonic, Sharp, Mitsui Bussan and Sojitz among others.

The India venture Basco’s Japan (www.bascosjapan.com) is being launched jointly by Basco’s Inc, Maido Enterprises Private Limited, and La Ditta Limited (Japan) headed by Harry Cheng.

According to Mr. Harry Cheng, COO, Basco’s, would be creating an independent team of young designers who will be well versed with intricacies of Japanese designing. “Our first batch of three young designers is ready with a 5-month stint in Japan. It is the first time Indian design graduates have trained formally in a design company in Japan”, he said.

Mr. Cheng also pointed out that currently some 700 Japanese companies are operating out of India and this figure is bound to increase in the coming years. “Basco’s will also advise clients on bringing in new products to market. In India, we will bring the know-how of consumer consumption growth that Japan has undergone and find ways to apply it in the Indian context”, he added.

Commenting on the launch, well know adman Mr. Prahlad Kakkar stated, “Basco’s launch is exciting as I believe Japanese design is the most brilliant design in the world. They are masters in reducing design to its essentials – characterized in the art of calligraphy; the single stroke conveys so much in its simplicity. I believe Basco’s Japan will serve Indian companies, Indian companies entering the Japan market and the increasing contingent of Japanese companies in India.”

The training stint in Japan for Indian designers focussed on-the-job training. They were trained to design keeping in mind the Japanese sensibilities not only of art and beauty but the high level of commercial and functional capacities which Japan is famous for. They also studied other aspects of Japanese culture such as tewaza, hand techniques, reflected in art forms such as Ukioy-e, Urushi, Embroidery and Kiriko.

According to Ms. Asavari Thatte who was one of the 3 designers, “It is worth appreciating how Japan has adopted the modern age but has its cultural heritage and philosophy intact. This facet of the Japanese is manifested in their design too where there is a balance between modern and traditional design, kakushin and dento.”