Invited Speakers

Former professor at Tama Art University, former president/director of Japan Sign Design Association and incumbent councilor of Japanese Society for the Science of Design

Mr. Ota was born in 1939.  He finished undergraduate course and then graduate school of Tama Art University.  He also finished Accademia di belle arti in Italy.

After having a career at Tokyo Zokei University, Mr. Ota founded a pictorial design institute.  On accepting the invitation of Munich University and East-West Center (EWC) established by the U.S. Congress, he has carried out international joint research with both institutions. 

He has been working together for 30 years with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) for the purpose of international standardization of pictogram.

He has made many achievements especially in Sign Symbol Plan, such as symbol designed for Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, sign for emergency exit, pictogram for evacuation guidance system, and computer animation film introducing United Nations University and so on.  He published many and received numerous awards.