Interview about Olive A Website with Open Designs for Survival, winner of the A' Social Design Award 2021
Olive is a wiki site that gathers and shares practical knowledge during a disaster. The project was named Olive, derived from the letter O (an emblem of the Japanese national flag) + Live (to live on). Ideas were quickly gathered with help from worldwide, on how to build necessities to survive in affected areas without the supplies. It achieved over one million page views within three weeks. It is still expanding today as a database of disaster countermeasures using collective intelligence.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsWhen a massive earthquake struck in Tohoku, I was in Tokyo, I experienced significant shaking and a subsequent power outage. Overwhelmed by the desperate circumstances that followed, I started this project, which quickly gained traction. Many others, driven by a desire to help save lives that were being lost by the minute, joined in, providing a strong tailwind for the project's growth.
The name 'Olive' was inspired by the olive tree from the Old Testament, which symbolized hope for Noah's Ark during a flood. Interestingly, the name 'Olive' came to mind first, followed by the idea to incorporate it with the Japanese flag, and only then did I learn about its biblical significance. Perhaps, it was divine providence that guided us to this name.
The project began immediately after the disaster when rapid response was crucial as lives were being lost. This urgency led to the development of a simple, accessible system that could provide immediate help.
The editorial approach evolved in response to the incoming information, ultimately reaching virtually all Japanese citizens through resources like the Tokyo Disaster Preparedness Guide. We treated the knowledge as malleable rather than definitive, which was crucial for its ongoing evolution.
Immediately after the disaster, methods for constructing makeshift toilets and making sanitary napkins were particularly appreciated, highlighting the importance of maintaining basic hygiene in crisis situations. Five years later, this project led to the publication of the largest-ever disaster preparedness book distributed to all Tokyo residents, exceeding eight million copies.
By tracking how many people actually used the information provided, we saw the impact gradually expand from the early stages of disaster recovery. It's crucial to continue believing in and persisting with what is deemed important.
Given that this project started 13 years ago, it should evolve in response to changes in media. This initiative has grown into various projects, but to continue design projects for society, it's necessary to consider fundraising. Eventually, I hope to expand this project into a brand of disaster prevention products.
Design is about creating high-quality outputs, but during disasters like this, it's essential to put quality aside temporarily and focus on co-creation with many people. This collective intelligence proves invaluable in such times.
The key to creativity is the self-efficacy belief that one can change the situation. Being the project leader and showing people in Japan and worldwide that they can make a difference, even in the face of the largest disasters, can transform a sense of powerlessness into efficacy.
We have launched a project called ADAPTMENT, building on our disaster prevention efforts to create a comprehensive strategy for climate change adaptation. Given the increasing frequency of disasters, the importance of design for disaster preparedness and resilience will only grow. I hope our design efforts will inspire future designers.
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