UR24

Himeji, Japan

UR24 Himeji+ marked the largest Understanding Risk Global Forum to date, bringing together over 1,700 participants from 135 countries and 700+ organizations—spanning governments, multilaterals, the private sector, NGOs, academia, and civil society. It was a true global platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in disaster risk management.

The event theme, Tradition, Innovation, Resilience, shaped both the program and its visual identity. Inspired by Hinomaru Red—the “ball of the sun”—and Setouchi Blue—the sea of Hyogo Prefecture—the design language combined traditional Japanese motifs with modern techniques to reflect the layers of resilience-building, past and future. AI was also explored as a tool for translating these themes into compelling visual communication.

UR24 featured its largest Expo Area to date, with 45 national and international institutions showcasing their work. Beyond knowledge sharing, the Forum celebrated Japanese culture through immersive experiences such as calligraphy workshops, tea tastings, and traditional attire, weaving together local heritage with global dialogue.

Tasks

  • Creative direction
  • Branding
  • Event layout & design
View the UR24 Proceedings

Patterns as Kagome (Lattice), viewed as a protective pattern like a fence against devils and misfortune and Uroko (Scales) acts as a talisman to protect the Samurai from harm. These patterns were used to represent how different layers of knowledge can be used to build resilience, covered within the UR community.

 

 

 

The UR EXPO AREA

 

 

The Expo Area was built with the innovative PPS cardboard system developed by award-winning Architect Shigeru Ban with VAN (Voluntary Architects’ Network). Its partition system was developed for emergency housing and kindly provided by Hyogo Prefecture; all of the structure is being  re-purposed for emergency housing after the event.

The forum showcased exhibits from government officials, NGOs, businesses, and disaster management professionals. All booths were constructed using the PPS. While the system is typically arranged in a 90-degree grid, this event marked the first time 60-degree and hexagonal grid layouts were partially adopted and installed, introducing a new spatial approach.

We produced a data sculpture for the Llyods registry foundation to highlight their work on the world risk poll

 

 

 

Comms

 

 

In the run up to the event we used AI to generate images relating to the UR26 themes including; AI, Floods, Data Modelling, Decision Making, Geo-hazards, Risk Communication, EP&R, DRM General, DRFI, Inclusion, Infrastructure, EWS, Social/FCV/ASP, Nature Based Solutions, Digital Earth/Space, Psychology of Risk.

 

“Toys are not really as innocent as they look. Toys and games are preludes to serious ideas.”
- Charles Eames

Koma is a Japanese traditional plaything. Koma is dynamic full of energy, can spin, wobble and shake. Koma can spin on a tight rope, it is mathematical, playful and about balance. Koma is traditional and inspires innovation.

Koma is not a guy or a girl, but Koma can spin around the globe!
Simple, Cute, Energetic!

Koma can have many moods, spinning out of a tornado – it can spin from location to location, be the UR tour guide, ask Koma a question, URs Community AI agent.

 

 

 

Thank you to a Great Team and the UR Community