Patterns of Creativity in Japan Lessons from Successful Japanese Companies – A Resource

Simplicity as Concept Generator

“By paring, eliminating, cutting, peeling, and throwing away, a natural form not unlike a protoplasm results. Pare down and pare down some more. Discard the useless…….”

Example: Fuji Photo Film developed the disposable camera on this principle. The box was cardboard to reduce weight and cost and the focusing and diaphragm devices were eliminated from the camera. The act of inserting film was also eliminated from the usage side, resulting in a “small, colorful ‘magic’ box.”

Source: Tatsuno, S. (1990). Created in Japan: from imitators to world-class innovators.