Who We Are
ABOUT
GKDI
GK Design International is a creative company specializing in research-based solutions for the development of innovative products.
Who we are
Our team is a mixture of Japanese and American designers all sharing in a pride of craftsmanship and innovative design.
Our collective experience and cultural diversity provides us with a wide range of sensibilities.
President / CEO
Message
a MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
ABOUT US
ABOUT GKDI
GK Design Group’s history dates back to 1952, when in Tokyo Japan, six former students of the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music (Tokyo University of the Arts) formed GK Group. It was until 1957 that GK group expanded into GK Industrial Design Associates, and Kenji Ekuan became the President. GK was the first group design practice in post-war Japan. GK Industrial Design Associates established a representative office in Los Angeles in 1966 to service Japanese industries that were trying to market products in the U.S. Then it was converted into a California Corporation in 1972, taking on a new name GK Design International Inc. (GKDI.) In 2002, GKDI opened the first branch office in the Atlanta area using it as an Eastern foothold to expand the field of design activity.
ABOUT GKDI
A multidisciplinary design firm
ABOUT KENJI EKUAN
Mr. Kenji Ekuan founding member and first president of the GK Group. The expansion of the GK organization into one of the worlds largest independent design consultancies was his vision.
His Soy sauce bottle design for the Kikkoman corporation is now part of Moma’s (Museum of Modern Art) permanent collection…
KENJI EKUAN RENOWNED INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
Today, design’s role is not only materializing the function. We have been asked if we could create “new values” that could open new future. In the midst of diverse and complicated design activities these days, it is our mission to create “new values”. In the change of times we will continue our activities further as a value-creating Industry to bear new values; in the aspects of Social Values, Cultural Values, Economic Values.
1950’s
In 1952 a group of students from Tokyo University of the Arts called for the movement of Industrial Design against the traditional crafts. They gathered around the professor Mr. Iwataro Koike, who deeply understood their call. The group named themselves group Koike (GK).
1960’s
The “Metabolism Movement” began with the “World Design Conference” in 1960. Now Japan was open to the world, and expressed its principles and opinions proudly.
1970’s
In 1973, the Ministry of Trade and Industry promoted the idea of a “Design Year” it was the first time the Japanese government would officially recognize the field of design. The same year the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design Congress was held for the first time in Asia.
1980’s
GK held the exhibition “GK Exhibition 1980’” with the slogan “Toward Creative Industry” looking forward to being a creative industry.
1990’s
GK continued to create products produced by industries. GK introduced new design to the privatized Japan Railway Company (JR) with the intended improvement of passenger service and the planning of a safer urban environment.
2000’s
GK design promoted the way of producing things for the new century. The worldwide speed and scale of Information Technology (IT) was quickly taking a superior position in society.
Current
“Realizing the thoughts on nature,” “Restructuring our view of life,” “Renewal of the thoughts on science and technologies,” “Re-think of our lifestyle” and so on. Dougu Culture would be the very way the “new global environment” might appear through the intention of design and production of things..
