[For creators] What are the differences between Japanese and American culture as seen through emojis, icons, and characters? Free seminar “What is ‘Visual Communication’? Design Mechanisms for Communicating Across Cultures” to be held on Wednesday, October 29th
Creek & River, Inc. Press Release: October 17, 2025 [For creators] What are the differences between Japanese and American culture as seen through emojis, icons, and text? Free seminar “What is Visual Communication? Design Mechanisms for Communicating Across Cultures” held on Wednesday, October 29th. 2025/10/29(WED) Free webinar “Icons & Emoji: What Is Visual Communication?” is held online.
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https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/166734/ *Deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 21:00
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/3670/4433/3670-4433-5fb3bce72a63ede03ef81993be42c614-698×392.jpg Creek & River Co., Ltd. invites you to a special webinar on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, focusing on the role of icons and emoji as tools of visual communication. *This webinar is available in English (original) or Japanese (interpretation). ▼Please sign up from below. https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/166737/ Application deadline:2025/10/29 (WED) 21:00 (JST) We use emojis, icons, and characters every day. These are not just decorations, but visual communication tools that convey culture, emotions, and experiences. In this seminar, we will explore hints for globally applicable designs, learning how these visual expressions have evolved and how their interpretations differ across cultures. The lecturer will be Matthew Moss, a creative director with over 18 years of experience in Tokyo and the United States. This will be an opportunity to learn about the historical background of icons and emojis, the differences in their cultural meanings, and actual designs. If you’re interested, please join us. ・Origins: How did icons and emojis evolve from kanji and early OS symbols? ・The power of vision: The ingenuity of “shapes” to instantly convey complex information ・Culture and context: Does the same symbol have different meanings depending on the country?・Practical Design: How to Use Icons for a Global Market ・UI/UX, graphic, and game designers ・Game and app developers for international users ・Educators and ESL learners interested in visual language ・Anyone interested in the cultural background of icons and emoji From smartphones and games to social media, our daily lives are filled with icons and emoji. But these symbols are more than decoration—they are visual tools that convey information and emotion without words. In this session, we’ll explore how these visual elements have evolved, how their meanings shift across cultures, and how they can be used effectively in global design. Our speaker, Matthew Moss, a creative director with over 18 years of experience in both Tokyo and the U.S., will guide us through the history, cultural interpretations, and practical applications of icons and emoji in design. ■What You’ll Learn Origins: How icons and emoji evolved from kanji and early OS symbols Visual Power: How complex ideas can be expressed through simple shapes Culture & Context: How shared symbols are interpreted differently across cultures Practical Design: How to apply iconography for intuitive global design ■Who Should Attend: UI/UX, graphic, and game designers Developers creating apps and games for international audiences Educators and ESL learners interested in visual language Anyone curious about the cultural background of icons and emoji What is “visual communication” as interpreted through icons and emojis? Design Mechanisms for
Communicating Across Cultures ■Date and Time Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ■Location Online ■Speakers
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/3670/4433/3670-4433-413ffd52e2fd22ef5e6da1610a283ec4-605×908.jpg Creative Director Matthew Moss Matthew Moss is a creative director with over 18 years of experience in game visual development. He leads teams in Tokyo and New York and has worked with companies such as Disney, National Geographic, TV Tokyo, and LEGO. Aiming to create visually captivating games that harmonize core concepts, technology, and mission, we are passionate about innovative game design, leveraging technology, cultivating strong client relationships and collaborative teams, and continue to deliver games that inspire and entertain. ■Participation Fee Free ■Capacity 60 people ■Organizer Creek & River Co., Ltd. ▼For details and to apply, click here: https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/166734/ ※Deadline: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 9:00 PM 【Inquiries】 Creek & River Co., Ltd. PEC Secretariat “Design Mechanisms for Communicating Across Cultures” Seminar Contact Email: pec_seminar@pr.cri.co.jp Icons & Emoji: What Is Visual Communication? How Design Language Transcends Cultural Boundaries ■Date and time 2025/10/29 (WED) 20:00-21:00 (JST) ■Place Zoom ■Speaker
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/3670/4433/3670-4433-22f86592e2a71eb8528761686f174228-605×908.jpg Creative Director Matthew Moss Matthew Moss is a seasoned Creative Director with over 18 years of experience in game visual development. He has led teams in both Tokyo and New York, collaborating with renowned companies such as Disney, National Geographic, TV Tokyo, and LEGO. Matthew is deeply passionate about enhancing the visual appeal of games, believing that the key to success lies in harmonizing a project’s core concepts, technology, and mission with its visual development. This approach aims to deliver moments of inspiration, emotion, and imagination to the audience. Matthew excels in
conceptualizing and executing innovative game designs, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and creative strategies to provide exceptional player experiences. He is committed to building strong client relationships and fostering highly collaborative teams, driven by a desire to create games that both inspire and entertain. ■Participants ・Game developer ・Game designer ・Game planner ・Graphic designer ・UX designer ・UI designer ・User / Player researcher ・Programmer / Developer ■Entry fee free ■Capacity 60 people ■Organizer CREEK and RIVER Co., Ltd. https://www.cri.co.jp/ ▼Please sign up from below. https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/166737/ Application deadline:2025/10/29 (WED) 21:00 (JST) 【Contact】 CREEK & RIVER Co., Ltd. PEC In charge of the webinar “Icons & Emoji: What Is Visual Communication? How Design Language Transcends Cultural Boundaries “ Email: inquiry.prolang@hq.cri.co.jp
Since its founding in 1990, C&R has been a pioneer in the creative agency industry, supporting creators in their career and skill development through joint company information sessions, career consultations, seminars, and more. Going forward, under our mission of “improving the lifetime value of professionals,” we will continue to strive to create an environment where creators can maximize their abilities through various initiatives. ＜Design and Creativity Related Seminar＞ ▼10/25 (Sat) Learn about the cutting edge of AI x UX design with UX designer Matt Penna – How to use AI as a “partner” to enhance creativity and analytical skills –
https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/165476/ ▼10/25 (Sat) Square Enix Co., Ltd. Comics Editor Mid-Career Recruitment Online Company Information Session https://career.famitsu.com/lp/7597 ▼10/25 (Sat) SEGA Sapporo Studio Developer Talk Session & Casual Interview https://career.famitsu.com/lp/7521 ▼10/27 (Mon) Learn the steps to creating manga while watching a demonstration Manga Production Course for Beginners Vol. 5 Finishing Touch
https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/165637/ ▼Precise Sizing and Spacing System for UI Design (e-Learning)
https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event/154584/ ▼For other design and creative related seminars, click here:
https://www.creativevillage.ne.jp/category/crv_event_category/crv_event_creative-design/ Information about seminars and other events is also distributed via our email newsletter. If you’re interested, please sign up! ▼Click here to register for the “C&R Event Information Email Newsletter” https://go.creativevillage.ne.jp/l/924692/2022-01-14/hrr6w ＼＼Online training service “PEC Sta” now available! // C&R, a pioneering creator agency founded in 1990, has launched an online training service that packages archived content from over 550 webinars planned and hosted by its education division, PEC (Professional Education Center), for corporate use. With strengths in IT, digital, and creative fields, the service is constantly expanding its content, covering the latest technologies and trends in design, programming, AI, and more. Use it for training, reskilling, and education and development for your employees and staff. ▼For more information, click here
https://www.cri.co.jp/news/005792.html About Creek & River: Founded in 1990, Creek & River’s mission is to “improve the lifetime value of professionals” and “contribute to client value creation.” The company operates an agency business (dispatch and referral), a production business (development and contracting), and a rights management business (planning, development, and distribution of intellectual property) specializing in professionals in the fields of video, games, web, advertising/publishing, writing, performing arts, architecture, AI/DX, and athletes. As a C&R Group, we operate in the fields of healthcare, IT, accounting, law, fashion, food, life sciences, CXO, and agriculture, expanding our business to a total of 18 fields. We have also expanded our services to include XR, NFT, the metaverse, drones, professional recruitment sites, global development, and more. We will continue to bring together the wisdom of professionals to contribute to people’s happiness as a business creation company that generates new value. Website: https://www.cri.co.jp/ X:
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https://www.facebook.com/creekandriver note: https://note.com/creek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cr.creekandriver YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS9MHzddqWKsOAgmUnTgxIg ▼Company introduction video filmed with a drone is now available! https://img.youtube.com/vi/2YRqMPcsv3o/sddefault.jpg
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https://youtu.be/2YRqMPcsv3o ▼What are the origins of C&R? Brand site “Go Beyond the Limit” https://www.cri.co.jp/gobeyond/ For more information about this release