Have you ever imagined how to change the world?
Have you ever taken apart things around your house to figure out “how is this made?”
Have you ever wondered “why is this shaped this way? Why does it work this way?”
Have you ever wanted to challenge yourself with new approaches you’ve never learned before and push yourself to grow?
Do you want to become a Mirai Designer?
* Marathon deadline extended to July 15th! *
What is Mirai Designers?
Mirai Designers by DLX is a design-led innovation education program for high school students who want to design a better future, offered by the DLX Design Lab at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo. This program aims to empower high school students to become creative thinkers and future changemakers. Through hands-on, project-based experiences, students will learn how to explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and design meaningful solutions for the world around them, all through the lens of the integration of science, technology, and human-centered design.
What you will learn:
-
Design thinking
-
Methods to research real-life issues
-
Ideation and prototyping
-
Teamwork and collaboration
In 2026, we are offering three programs: Mini Design Workshops (3 hour experience workshop), Design Sprint (5 day summer break short program), and Design Marathons (3 month long programs).
Why design?
When you hear the word "design," many people might think of "aesthetics." But design isn't limited to just looks. Computers, cars, buttons, apps - everything we use in daily life has been designed by someone. And beyond objects, things like services and systems are also designed.
To us, "design" is a process to understand people's problems and create a better future through new ideas.
2026 Mirai Designers Program
In 2026, we are offering three programs: Mini Design Workshops (3 hour experience workshop), Design Sprint (5 day summer break short program), and Design Marathons (3 month long programs).
The Mini Design Workshops will be offered online, allowing high schoolers from anywhere in Japan to participate. You can join by completing a simple registration.
(Students who participate in the Mini Design Workshops will receive priority in the Design Sprint and Design Marathon application.)
Students may only attend the Design Sprint OR Design Marathon (although you are welcome to apply to both). Participants will be selected via an application process, and students who participated in a Mini-Online Design Workshop will receive priority in the selection process.
Download a PDF version of the contents and schedule below.
Compare the Programs
ミニデザインワークショップ
Mini Design
Workshop
3 hour online workshops
Duration:
3 hours
Style:
Online
Capacity:
30 per session
Eligibility:
HS 1st, 2nd years
Anywhere from Japan
Language:
Japanese, English
デザインスプリント
Design
Sprint
5 day summer break program
Duration:
5 days (30 hours)
Style:
In-Person
Capacity:
30~40
Eligibility:
HS 1st, 2nd, 3rd years
Anywhere from Japan
Language:
Japanese
デザインマラソン
Design
Marathon
3 month challenge deep-dive
Duration:
3 months (~75 hours)
Style:
Hybrid
Capacity:
16~20 per cohort
Eligibility:
HS 1st, 2nd years
Tokyo area only
Language:
Japanese, English
Schedule (2026~2027)
Program Details
Mini Design Workshops
3 hour online workshops
In this workshop, students from anywhere in Japan can participate in a three hour online design experience to get a basic understanding of the design thinking process. Students learn how to approach challenges with empathy, better identify needs and problems, and use those findings to imagine a wide breadth of solutions. You can join simply by completing a simple registration.
Students who participate in the Mini Design Workshops will receive priority in the Design Sprint and Design Marathon application.
When:
2026/05/17 (Sun.) 14:00〜17:00, Japanese
2026/05/23 (Sat.) 14:00〜17:00, English
2026/05/24 (Sun.) 14:00〜17:00, Japanese
2026/05/30 (Sat.) 14:00〜17:00, Japanese
Where:
Online (Zoom)
Capacity:
30 per session
Eligibility:
High school 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years
(anywhere in Japan welcome)
Language:
Japanese (05/17, 05/24, 05/30),
English (05/23)
Cost:
Free
Application:
Join by completing a simple registration!
Design Sprint
5 day summer break program
Held over the course of summer, Design Sprint is an intensive 5 day program that takes students through the entire design process, from research and problem defining to ideation, prototyping, and testing. This time constrained process uses design thinking to fast track innovation. During the design sprint, each team will get hands-on support from DLX teachers. Do you want to solve big challenges and test new ideas in a week?
This program will financially support students from out of town with accommodation and transportation. If attending an event in Tokyo is something you’ve been interested in but have not been able to, we look forward to your application!
When:
2026/08/03 (Mon.) 〜08/07 (Fri.)
-
5 in-person sessions
-
Every day from 10:00〜17:00
Where:
DLX Design Lab Kashiwa (University of Tokyo Kashiwa 2 Campus, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba)
Capacity:
30~40
Eligibility:
HS 1st, 2nd, 3rd years
(anywhere in Japan welcome)
Language:
Japanese
Cost:
Free
※ Partial transportation and accommodation fee support available for participants who meet certain requirements
Application:
(Opens May 17th, Deadline June 17th)
※ Students who also participated in the Mini Design Workshop will receive priority in the selection process
Design Marathon
3 month challenge deep-dive
Design Marathon is a three month program for students who are interested in intensively working on big challenges and spend ample time testing their ideas. Classes are held once a week on Sundays, and each team will focus on a challenge of their choosing, get insightful feedback from UTokyo professors with special lectures, as well as hands-on support of DLX teachers and design mentors to help get real life perspectives and insights.
Because of the small class size, students receive a more in-depth and personalized learning experience. If small, hands-on long term support is something you are interested in, this program might be right for you!
When:
First Cohort: 2026/09/06〜11/22
Second Cohort: 2026/11/29〜2027/2/28
-
11 in-person sessions
-
Every Sunday from 10:00~17:00 (time may vary depending on context)
※ midweek evening online sessions will also occur
Where:
DLX Design Lab, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo (S building, University of Tokyo Komaba Research Campus, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo)
Capacity:
16~20 per cohort
Eligibility:
HS 1st and 2nd years only
(Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area only)
Language:
First Cohort: Japanese (English classes will be translated)
Second Cohort: English (Japanese classes will be translated)
Cost:
Free
※ Transportation fees will not be covered
Application:
(Opens May 17th, Deadline July 15th)
※ Students who also participated in the Mini Design Workshop will receive priority in the selection process
How to Apply
Mini Design Workshop
High schoolers from anywhere in Japan are eligible to participate. You can join by completing a simple registration.
Design Sprint
Design Marathon
Participants are selected through an application process. Those who participated in a Mini Design Workshop receive priority in the selection process.
Application opens: May 17th, 2026
Sprint application deadline: June 17th, 2026 (FINISHED)
Marathon application deadline: July 15th, 2026
**Deadline extended!**
When applying, we will ask you to provide the following:
-
Basic information
-
Written response (2)
-
Video upload of a self-introduction
-
Design challenge (drawings, constructions, video skits, costumes, pictures, anything is ok!)
Selection results will be sent to the email address provided in your application at the end of June.
Timeline
7/15
If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact us at the email below.
mirai-designers@designlab.ac
This program is funded by the Mitsubishi Memorial Foundation for Educational Excellence.