2026.07.29
John C Jay Appointed Visiting Professor (Humanity and Creativity) at Ryukoku University
-Global Creative Leader to Help Foster the Next Generation of Creative Talent and Address Social Challenges-
【Key Points】
- John C Jay, a world-renowned creative leader, has been appointed as a Visiting Professorat Ryukoku University.
- Drawing on his expertise in design, art, culture, and community, he will lead educational initiatives aimed at fostering creativity, independence, and collaborative skills.
- Through exchanges and co-creation with creators both in Japan and abroad, as well as with local communities, he will contribute to creating new value and addressing social challenges.
John C Jay
Born in Columbus, Ohio, USA, John C Jay is a globally recognized creative leader, cultural producer and educator. At Wieden+Kennedy, one of the world's leading independent creative agencies, he led creative and brand initiatives for global companies including Nike, Coca-Cola and Microsoft. He was based in Tokyo from 1997 to 2003, where he helped to establish and expand the agency's presence across Asia.
In 1999, he helped to create UNIQLO's iconic fleece campaign which launched the brand in Tokyo. He also founded W+K Tokyo Lab, an influential music and culture initiative which brought together artists, musicians, designers and creators from around the world.
In 2014, he joined Fast Retailing as President of Global Creative, leading creative strategy across the group's brands, including UNIQLO.
Jay currently lives and works in Portland, New York and Tokyo, where he is focusing on mentoring the next generation of creative talent, supporting emerging creatives and building communities where creativity can thrive. He was inducted into the Art Directors Hall of Fame in 2011, and the One Club Creative Hall of Fame inducted him in 2026. In 2013, Jay was named in the top 10 of Most Influential Art Directors of the past 50 years.
He is the founder/director of The Cultural Lab in Portland which brings together leading thinkers and makers in art, design, technology and literature.
[Overview]
John C Jay, a globally renowned creative director and cultural producer, has been appointed as a Visiting Professor (Humanity and Creativity) at Ryukoku University, effective April 1st, 2026.
Throughout his career leading creative work for global companies including Nike, Coca-Cola, Microsoft and Uniqlo. he has long explored how creativity, culture, and community can inspire positive social change through initiatives spanning art, music, design, and community building. Based in Portland, Oregon (USA), in recent years Jay has devoted his efforts to mentoring the next generation of creative talent and building creative communities, continuing his work of creating new possibilities by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds.
As part of Ryukoku Strategic Plan 2039 (RSP2039)—the year marking our institution’s 400th anniversary—Ryukoku University seeks to cultivate socially engaged individuals and serve as a platform for contributing to world peace※1. The university expects that Jay’s appointment as a visiting professor will significantly contribute to the realization of this future vision.
Following his appointment, in addition to lectures and workshops, Jay plans to create opportunities for dialogue with students and participate in exchange and co-creation activities with creators both in Japan and abroad, as well as with the local community. Moving beyond traditional boundaries of design and art, he will explore creative thinking and collaborative problem-solving to address social and regional challenges alongside students, thereby expanding opportunities for learning, experimentation, and creative exploration aimed at realizing a society in which diverse values coexist.
※1 detail https://www.ryukoku.ac.jp/400plan/granddesign/vision.html#v02
Contact Info：Ryukoku Institute for Social Impact Creation Office
Tel +081 75-645-2098 s-impact@ad.ryukoku.ac.jp https://rec.seta.ryukoku.ac.jp/index.php