CREA-Zine Vol. 4 - Pink Blossoms, Blue Skies
- Creative Basho
- Apr 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 30
CREA-Zine Vol.4 Pink Blossoms, Blue Skies
Pink blossoms,
underneath the blue skies.
They fall,
like a new beginning.
Crea-Zine Volume 4
April 2025
(For the best viewing experience, we recommend reading the article in "desktop view")
I. Welcome to the season of Spring 🌸
In Japan, April is often considered the time of new beginnings.
The academic year rolls in, fresh graduates are also joining their first company.
Things change, but some remain the same.
Like the clear blue skies, occasionally lidded with clouds.
And droplets of water, like tender rain.
Things remain the same in CREABA.
We continue with our monthly workshops,
working towards our goal of fostering creative confidence.
But slowly, yet surely, we’ll continue to grow and develop.
We’ll strive to be better.
And we hope you’ll still be here with us as we grow 💕
All the love,
CREABA Team.
(Curated by: Mika)
II. Event Recap - The Impact Toolbox
Learning Buddy's Comments - Han
The Impact Toolbox: Collaborate & Breakthrough was the third iteration of our Design Thinking program — and this time, we brought many new elements to the table.
Building on feedback and reflections from past runs, we expanded the program with more emphasis on personal strengths, teamwork, and social impact.
We had three teams of incredible people working on complex challenges: ethical use of AI, bridging cultures through travel, and crafting a creative podcast for community impact. In just a few days, participants went from discovering their strengths and figuring out how to work as a team to analyzing, ideating, and building solutions.
The final pitches were articulate, thoughtful, and diverse, reflecting the teams’ unique interpretation of the challenge and their ability to combine individual strengths with group creativity.
Running The Impact Toolbox is always a rewarding experience because I get to learn with (and from) such passionate and thoughtful people.
To future participants: come curious, stay open, and don’t underestimate what you can build together in a short time.
Learning Buddy's Comments - Marlen
Our Impact Toolbox workshop empowered participants to unlock their personal strengths, explore how to apply them in team settings, and dive into the full Design Thinking process through a real-world project.
The 3 teams did an incredible job at leveraging their individual strengths by dividing tasks accordingly and ultimately improving their final solutions.
Looking at the final project pitches, I am still impressed how elaborate the solutions become only within 2 days of work.
The biggest highlights for me were witnessing our participants grow, learn more about themselves, and have fun during the events!
III. Event Showcase - The Impact Toolbox Solution Pitches!
Curious about the pitches of our participants during The Impact Toolbox?
Go check out our videos on Youtube!
Gamified Japan Travel with App & Booklet: Break Language & Culture Barriers
Experience the Multiverse Through Sound: Podcast Innovation
Empowering Educators with AI: Training + BOT for Ethical Innovation
IV. Event Recap - Shuukatsu Unplugged & Reimagined: Envisioning the Future of Work
Facilitator Comments - Mika
From the Shuukatsu experience frank talk, to the workshop and the sharing, I thoroughly enjoyed everything that we dished out that day!
Might be biased, but I did enjoy sharing my and hearing about Yuki’s experience with Shuukatsu during the frank talk.
We both came from different backgrounds. I was born and raised in Indonesia, who then went to university in Japan and eventually working in a foreign firm here in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Yuki grew up in Russia, the UK, the US, Japan, and Australia, and then started her career in one of Japan’s largest conglomerate.
We’re both very different, but we struggled with similar things in the process of Job Hunting: fighting its rigidity, getting used to the culture, and all other issues we discussed during our talk!
I would have loved hearing more frank talks during my early days in university. They are powerful things that can break your image of the structure of Shuukatsu indeed.
My wishes
I hope you were able to shift your way of thinking of shuukatsu, even if just a little!
Let’s have more open conversations about job hunting moving forward
Facilitator Comments - Yuki
I enjoyed most was hearing directly from individuals who are eager to work in Japan and make an impact, especially at a time when there’s a growing need for global talent due to labor shortages. It was truly inspiring to feel their energy and motivation!
It was also valuable to hear about the real hurdles they face - many of which I’ve experienced myself. Listening to their stories made me want to support them even more, whether by sharing my own experiences, offering advice, or simply being someone they can turn to. (please don’t hesitate to shoot me a message whenever!)
Also loved seeing how workshops like this can bring people together, opening up new conversations. The ideas that came up were intriguing and imaginative, and it was a fun moment for everyone to think about how the world could be different if we looked at it through a new lens.
My Wish
Job hunting, especially in a foreign country, can be filled with challenges and anxiety, but I want everyone to know that they are not alone and there are people out there who are ready and willing to support the exciting journey ahead!
I hope this event served as a small spark to start building conversations and connections, too.
V. Community Showcase
As per business as usual, we will showcase all our community submissions in this section ✨
This edition, we feature the work of one wonderful creator; be sure to give the work some love 💕
Creative Destruction
By Tai Okuno
Medium: Mix Media + Music (song choice at end)
Description/Author's Comments:
Learning to live, laugh, and love again after hitting rock bottom
The dangers of getting blinded by light & warmth
A tale of resilience, starting with a good old springtime bloom
Pairing song: Link
Want to become a contributor to our community showcase?
Be sure to read our submission guidelines before submitting to our next edition!
VI. Upcoming Event
Brand You – Translating Your Skills into a Standout Resume and Portfolio
📅 May 24–25, 2025
11:00 –12:30 JST
Online (Butter)
💰 650 JPY/day or 1,100 JPY for both days
Join us for "Brand You", a two-day interactive workshop designed to help you craft a resume and portfolio that reflect your strengths, transferable skills, and personal brand.
In this workshop, you will:
Create a resume tailored to your unique skills and aligned with the job market
Learn how to highlight transferable skills that appeal to employers across industries
Understand the role of a portfolio
Begin developing a portfolio that reflects your achievements and personal brand
Register today!
Thank you for reading!
See you in our next edition
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