Hiromi Maeo's Edut is an educational content making platform for adaptive learning. It solves problems that conventional education has been having by applying big data analysis technology called sensing, which processes the characteristic patterns from data array. By uploading educational contents to Edut, education apps optimized to each person will be processed automatically for iPhone, iPad, Android, web services, etc. Edut won the grand prize in "Slogan Viling Ventures", the seed accelerator program for EdTech area in Japan. I participated in developing the brand identity of this new service.

First, I started from having a deep hearing with Mr. Ishihara, who developed Edut. The hearing enabled me to understand the problems of current education in Japan, and also his passion and strong mind about solving them with technology. It also enabled me to pick up some keywords that would be the foundation of the logo construction. Until today, teachers had to grasp each student's academic level as much as possible, and then provide the suitable but various and vast educational contents. Students are grouped by academic level with tests prior to class selection, enabling the method to change teaching materials and methods depending on class. However, such method is rough in granularity, making it far from ideal education many educators dream of.
-Hiromi Maeo

The word “granularity” made me associate the “dot” concept. Afterwards, I came up with the synaptic connection from keywords such as learning, education, sensing, big data analysis. At first, I thought of using the synaptic connection for the symbol, but such metaphor could be said as already worn-out. To refresh the idea, I made a representation of Edut service as an abstract diagram.
-Hiromi Maeo

Typically in Japan, a client might order you to make a “cool design”. However, in this case the outcome could vary due to the viewerʼs standpoint. Also, a “cool design” could vary by era.
Since my job is corporate CI and VI construction, I do not make designs based on such standpoints nor popularity. Therefore I hold a deep meeting with the client before beginning the project. In the meeting, I pick up key words from client descriptions. Based on those keywords, I systematically expand information using something like a mind map. Then, form ideas into what the design should look like. In terms of origins of such ideas, I could say they come from both my design and life experiences, and also from knowledge gained in the past.
-Hiromi Maeo

Clientʼs mission and vision. Story and passion surrounding them. Several keywords found in them could be said as my inspirations. In other words, I do not take offers from companies without them. In my sense, a logo is something in which such are personified.
-Hiromi Maeo

My motto is to be minimal and timeless. I would like to have my created designs kept conceptual with excess decoration removed. For being minimal, it is very important to work in detail with care. Therefore my design style is based on detailed grid structure. I think this come from Japanese sensibilities in details and diligent work ethics. My design is also significantly influenced by minimalism rooted by Zen, and the philosophy of Shinto that has been part of our life. Also my source people of inspiration are Massimo Vignelli, Dieter Rams, and Josef MüllerBrockmann. Nextly on daily basis, I get inspirations from the great designers and creators seen on Behance.
-Hiromi Maeo

Especially for designers and creators in Japan, they should not be restricted within the limits of the small country. They should be connected to the world, talk, and also work with clients
globally. It is a risk take for a designer, but also a challenge for career enhancement. Designers and creators should not live with status quo.
-Hiromi Maeo

About Hiromi Maeo

Hiromi Maeo is a Japanese graphic designer with over 20 years' experience. He has prolifically designed for many notable Japanese corporations, and recently started designing for global enterprises. Meanwhile his design has been increasingly gaining recognition from international design communities. See more of his works on Behance or his Facebook Page.