Transitions to sustainable futures

Hitachi, 2021

The world is at a tipping point. The actions we take over the coming years will have a profound impact on the future of our planet. But finding the best way forward can be hard – especially given the scale and complexity of the challenge facing us. That’s why we need to approach the problem in a new way.

We jointly conducted a research with the R&D Group of Hitachi, Ltd. and published as a website that explains nine transitions we can make toward a more sustainable world.

https://sustainability-transitions.com/

A transition is a gradual, progressive shift from one state to another. In this context, we’re talking about moving from one social, political, or economic system into another. With the intention of informing and inspiring people, we used carefully constructed text, diagrams and information architecture to illustrate the key concepts of the anticipated systemic changes.

Nine transitions

The goal of this project was to help nurture a deeper understanding of the interrelations among the plant, human and the problems we face, and to articulate the anticipated transitions toward a sustainable future.

We focused on the concept of transitions and researched various structural shifts such as fossil fuels to renewable energy, from linear to circular economy, and from loss of biodiversity to its regeneration. These transitions are richly described using the research and dialogue with leading international organisations and individuals.

Each transition is represented by a common design language inspired by arrows and a diagram that outlines pathways of systemic change from the world we have to the world we want.

Transition arrows

Credit

  • Clinet: Hitachi, Ltd. R&D Group
  • Project Vision and Research Concept: Koji Sasaki (Hitachi)
  • Hitachi Engagement: Kazuhiro Ikegaya (Hitachi)
  • Creative Direction: Yosuke Ushigome (Takram)
  • Research: Yosuke Ushigome (Takram), Jonathan Skjøtt (Takram), Fiona Lin (Ex-Takram)
  • Production Management: BYO
  • Web Design: Bibliothèque Design
  • Web Design (Japanese): The Guild
  • Web Development: Jonathan Skjøtt (Takram)
  • Copy Editing: Reed Words
  • Copy Editing (Japanese): Arina Tsukada (Whole Universe)
  • PR in Japan: Yoshimi Irie

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©2023 Yosuke Ushigome