Updated on Monday, January 20, 2025:
The special exhibition "Welcome to Designale - Tokyo Zoo Aquarium Design Studio -" ended on January 13th (Monday, public holiday).
We will be proceeding with the removal of the exhibits, but the venue will be open again from January 21st (Tuesday) to February 21st (Friday) for you to view them once more.
*Some exhibits will be removed.

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Updated on Monday, January 13, 2025:
A closing talk has been scheduled. Please see here for details.

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Did you know that Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums have dedicated design staff? You can see a variety of beautifully designed items throughout the park, from explanatory panels and brochures to lecture flyers, quiz sheets, and merchandise in the gift shops. These items are filled with the staff's desire to convey the charm of living creatures in a more understandable and enjoyable way.

In this special exhibition, we will introduce the fascinating and ingenious designs of zoos and aquariums, which we haven't had many opportunities to showcase before, while also touching upon the importance of design. The venue, set up as a future design studio (nicknamed "Desagnare"), is a fun place filled with variously designed creatures, so please come and visit.

*The name "Desagnare" is a coined word derived from the Latin word "designare" (to represent a plan with symbols), which is the origin of the word "design."
*The exhibition will showcase not only works created by our dedicated designers, but also designs by external designers and staff members.


Period: March 31, 2024 (Sun) - January 13, 2025 (Mon/Public Holiday)September 1st (Sunday)
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM each day

place Inokashira Park Zoo Zoo (Main Park) Museum, 1st Floor

Content
The venue is set up as a futuristic "design studio" (nicknamed "Desagnare") where design staff work. Grab a venue map and take a peek inside the design studio.

◎Entrance
The entrance has a cheerful atmosphere and features a message from the first director and introductions to the four kindergartens that the design department is in charge of.

◎Designer Desk
Designers are preparing for a joint event involving four zoos. Designing animals sounds like fun!

◎Work desk
Large panels, pictograms, and educational materials for fun learning. Using tools to create various things is also part of the job.

◎Prototype Corner
It's also important to test whether the things you've designed actually function properly. For example, with explanatory panels, you'd check the font size, placement, and other details carefully.

◎Showroom
I'm exhibiting things I've designed so far. The "Creature Land," filled with designed creatures, is a must-see!

◎Reference room
You can pick up printed materials created by the designers and books they use as references. There are also videos showcasing the joy of design.

cooperation Exhibition Advisor: Yumi Kono, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Special website

The special website below allows you to view an archive of items that have been designed in the past.

Operation period
Scheduled from Thursday, March 14, 2024 to Monday, January 13, 2025.　Scheduled for September 1st (Sunday)

Special website URL
https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/event/designyare/

We will be sharing information on a special Instagram account!

I'll be posting photos and videos of the special exhibition venue and the designed items!

Operation period
Scheduled from Thursday, March 14, 2024 to Monday, January 13, 2025.　Scheduled for September 1st (Sunday)

Special Instagram account URL
https://www.instagram.com/designyare/

We are currently recruiting participants for our parent-child workshop!*Applications are now closed.

Would you like to create your own original "animal pictograms" together with the in-house designers (specialized staff responsible for design) of Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums?

In this workshop, you will create pictograms to share the interesting and fascinating things you've observed about the creatures in the park with many people. Please see this announcement for more details.

We are now accepting applications for participants in the closing talk! (Deadline: February 8th)

​A closing talk by three in-house designers from Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums will be held on February 22nd, 2025 (Saturday), which is also Cat Day!

We'll take a tour of the venue together, reflecting on the projects of the design studio "Designale," and discuss the work of zoo and aquarium designers. You might even hear some behind-the-scenes stories about Designale's production process. This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the designers themselves. For more details, please see this announcement.

(March 14, 2024)
(June 9, 2024: Added parent-child workshops)
(July 25, 2024: Added information regarding the extension of the conference period)
(January 13, 2025: Closing talk added)
(January 20, 2025: Added information about the reopening of some exhibits)