Viewpoint Science
カガクノミカタ
"Kagaku no Mikata (ViewPoint Science)" is a children's educational program that has been airing on NHK Educational TV since 2015. I initially joined as an art director but eventually became involved in various aspects, from episode planning to music production. The show doesn't just aim to provide knowledge but rather to spark curiosity ("?") in viewers. This approach is inspired by Nobel laureate Dr. Shinichiro Tomonaga's words:
"To feel wonder is the seed of science, to observe and think is the stem, and solving mysteries is the flower."
The program aims to nurture this "seed of science." Unlike Japan’s traditional education, which focuses on knowledge cramming, this program emphasizes cultivating a sense of wonder, making it innovative.
Initially, I was hesitant to work on an educational show due to my lack of academic focus in school. However, after being inspired by university professors who said, "Anyone who feels wonder is already a scientist," I became actively involved, not just in design but in program planning as well.
The challenge was creating moments where people would notice everyday mysteries, like how an ant moves or why pine cones open and close. The opening animation reflects this theme, with a "?" growing like a plant, and the music was crafted using sounds from everyday objects to convey that beauty and wonder are all around us.
“Doubt is the father of invention.”
— Galileo Galilei
Graphics
Viewpoint Science went beyond just being a TV program—it also hosted workshops at science museums. I created posters and flyers for these events, with a key focus on sparking curiosity.
The goal was for the posters themselves to provoke a "?" in the viewer's mind. For example, I deliberately cropped an apple in an unnatural way, making it unclear at first glance what it was. Another design featured a sideways banana with the question, "Which way is up?".
In other words, I designed these materials so that simply engaging with them would already feel like part of the workshop experience.