Abstract
In today’s hyper-efficient world, why do people engage in activities that require time and effort? This research explores the causes and meanings of such behaviors through the Japanese concept of “tema”, defined as intentional, non-optimized engagement where the process holds intrinsic value. Using workshops and qualitative interviews, we identify four key elements of “tema”: time, body, creativity, and value. These deliberate actions foster personal meaning, emotional satisfaction, and deeper connection with the material world. Building on these insights, we propose a design potential that applies “tema” as a framework for creative practice. Rather than reinforcing a binary between efficiency and inefficiency, this study offers a Japanese cultural perspective that suggests alternative design pathways, process-centered engagement. “Tema” affirms individual existence, autonomy, and creativity, suggesting new directions for design that go beyond optimization.
Keywords
Tema; Post-efficiency; Time and effort; Alternative design
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.548
Citation
Lu, T.,and Ishikawa, T.(2025) The design research of "tema": Exploring intentional acts of taking time and effort in a contemporary society, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.548
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 1 - More Than Human-centered Design
The design research of "tema": Exploring intentional acts of taking time and effort in a contemporary society
In today’s hyper-efficient world, why do people engage in activities that require time and effort? This research explores the causes and meanings of such behaviors through the Japanese concept of “tema”, defined as intentional, non-optimized engagement where the process holds intrinsic value. Using workshops and qualitative interviews, we identify four key elements of “tema”: time, body, creativity, and value. These deliberate actions foster personal meaning, emotional satisfaction, and deeper connection with the material world. Building on these insights, we propose a design potential that applies “tema” as a framework for creative practice. Rather than reinforcing a binary between efficiency and inefficiency, this study offers a Japanese cultural perspective that suggests alternative design pathways, process-centered engagement. “Tema” affirms individual existence, autonomy, and creativity, suggesting new directions for design that go beyond optimization.