Kakimoto:

First, we get input from the product planners and then we make sure that we have a full understanding of the plan for the product. We review the data we've accumulated over the years developing similar products, and think about how car audio systems should evolve from here on out. From there, we pinpoint the specific problems that we want to solve in the design of the new product. Another thing we consider is the market as a whole. There are a lot of other manufacturers that compete in the same sector, so we investigate what they are up to as well. Based on our findings, we slowly distill the project plan down to the keywords for the design.

Akatsu:

So you textualize these ideas?

Kakimoto:

Correct. First we distill the keywords and then we work on expanding the concept of the product from roughly sketched ideas to more fully formed visuals.

Akatsu:

I see, but once you complete the product, the rest is in the hands of the retailers and the market, right? That part sounds really hard. At least with a manga series, you can change things around even after it starts being published.

Kakimoto:

Is that so?

Akatsu:

Well, the story and plot of a manga are important, but characters are the only things you really shouldn't mess with. Anything else can be changed and in many cases that's exactly what happens.

Kakimoto:

So for example, you could make a small change to the plot introduced in chapter one in the next chapter?

Akatsu:

Sure. In general, the most important thing is to get your readers or viewers to empathize with the emotions and actions of your characters. As long as there are fans who care about those things, it's okay to change other elements of the work if necessary. Of course, not having to make any changes like that means that the work was fully realized from the start, which is great.

Kakimoto:

In our case, the products we design are built with the help of a huge staff of software developers, so if a product doesn't have a consistent design, it will have adverse effects on everyone's work. If that happens, we aren't going to end up with a quality product. This is why consistency is the unshakeable foundation of our design philosophy.

Akatsu:

By contrast, a manga story might start off talking about a "sensor-like device", but midway through the story you can have the top open up to reveal that the sensor is also a deadly weapon! (Laughs) Of course, there's no way you could do that with a normal product.

Kakimoto:

As long as your customers are happy with the changes you make, it's okay to make them, right?

Akatsu:

Right. That's why internal logic in a manga or anime is so important. As long as the central concepts are consistent, there shouldn't be any problems.

Kakimoto:

The parts that you can't change later are what matter the most from the start. The core elements have to stay the same as you go. I think the same could be said about our work, too.