COCHAE: Japanese Design Unit Redefining Origami and Play

In the world of Japanese design, there are studios that focus on function, others on beauty—and then there are those that focus on play. COCHAE belongs firmly to the last category.

Founded in 2003, COCHAE is a Japan-based design unit built around the idea of “designing play.” What started as a simple question—“What if origami could feel more pop?”—has grown into a wide-ranging creative practice that spans origami, toys, packaging, exhibitions, and workshops. At its heart, COCHAE’s work is driven by curiosity, humor, and a deep respect for hands-on experiences.

Rather than treating design as something to be observed from a distance, COCHAE invites people to touch, fold, assemble, and discover. Their creations turn everyday materials—especially paper—into moments of surprise and joy.

*All Images are taken from COCHAE official website

The Beginning: Making Origami More Pop

COCHAE’s roots lie in origami, one of Japan’s most familiar paper traditions. But instead of preserving it in a purely traditional form, the team approached it with a graphic designer’s eye and a playful mindset.

By combining bold illustrations, unexpected characters, and clever folding structures, COCHAE reimagined origami as something lively, humorous, and contemporary. Animals gained expressive faces, stories emerged from folds, and a single sheet of paper became a small stage for imagination.

This approach helped redefine origami—not as a quiet, formal craft, but as a graphic and playful form of communication that anyone could enjoy, regardless of age or skill level.

“Designing Play” as a Philosophy

At the core of COCHAE’s work is the belief that play is not just for children. Play is a way of thinking, learning, and connecting.

Their philosophy of “designing play” means:

• Creating objects that encourage interaction, not passive consumption
• Designing experiences that spark curiosity and discovery
• Allowing room for humor, imperfection, and surprise

This mindset naturally led COCHAE beyond origami into broader creative fields—always with the same playful spirit intact.

From Paper to Products: A Wide Creative Practice

Today, COCHAE works across multiple disciplines, including:

• Toy and product development
• Packaging design
• Graphic design and visual storytelling
• Exhibitions and hands-on workshops

One of their most well-known packaging projects is the Okayama Specialty Kibidango for Yamakataya Eijudo. Instead of treating packaging as a mere container, COCHAE transformed it into part of the experience—something that delights before the product is even opened. This project earned international recognition and showcased how playful design can elevate even traditional local specialties.

Across food, stationery, and lifestyle collaborations, COCHAE consistently brings the same approach: graphics that invite interaction, structures that encourage play, and designs that feel memorable rather than disposable.

Books, Origami, and Storytelling

COCHAE is also widely known for its books on creative origami and paper play. These publications go beyond instruction manuals. They are playful guides that blend illustration, storytelling, and design thinking, encouraging readers to explore paper as a creative medium rather than follow rigid steps.

Through these books, COCHAE has introduced countless people—children and adults alike—to the joy of folding, cutting, and assembling paper in new ways. Each project feels like a small story waiting to be unfolded.

Recognition and Awards

COCHAE’s work has been recognized both in Japan and internationally, receiving awards that highlight not just aesthetic quality, but creativity and cultural value. Notable recognitions include:

• Good Design Award
• Good Toy Selection
• TOP AWARDS ASIA (for outstanding packaging design)

These awards reflect COCHAE’s unique position at the intersection of design, play, and communication—where ideas are as important as visuals.

Why COCHAE Matters Today

In a time when many products are designed for efficiency or mass appeal, COCHAE offers something different. Their work reminds us that design can be playful, thoughtful, and deeply human.

By focusing on hands-on interaction and imagination, COCHAE reconnects us with the simple pleasure of making something ourselves—folding paper, discovering a hidden face, or smiling at a clever visual twist.

For stationery lovers, designers, educators, and anyone who enjoys creative play, COCHAE represents a side of Japanese design that is experimental yet warm, graphic yet approachable.

COCHAE and Japanese Stationery Culture

Although COCHAE is not a conventional stationery brand, their work resonates deeply with stationery culture. Paper, folding, illustration, and storytelling all lie at the heart of how we write, craft, and communicate. COCHAE shows how stationery and paper goods can move beyond tools and become experiences.

Their designs fit naturally alongside journals, notebooks, and creative paper tools—inviting users to pause, play, and engage more deeply with what’s in their hands.

Discover COCHAE Through Play

COCHAE continues to explore new ways to make everyday materials exciting, meaningful, and fun. Whether through origami, packaging, or interactive products, their work carries a consistent message: play is a powerful form of design.

For those who love Japanese stationery, paper goods, and creative design with heart, COCHAE is a name worth knowing—and a world worth exploring.