Some projects leave a lasting impression—not just because of their complexity but also because of the quality of the collaboration behind them.

That was very much the case with our work for JBCE – the Japan Business Council in Europe. From the first meeting, it was clear that this wasn’t simply about building a corporate website. It was about creating a space—digital, yes, but deeply human—where two cultures could feel equally at ease.

A meeting of minds (and sensibilities)

Working closely with the communication team at JBCE, we embarked on a shared journey: one that required listening, interpreting, and adapting.

There was no copy-pasting of templates here. Every decision—visual, structural, functional—was informed by the desire to speak to two audiences simultaneously without diluting the message.

The result? A site that exists in two fully tailored versions—English and Japanese—not just translated but designed for each language, culture, and set of expectations.

Respecting differences while building unity

Designing for a European-Japanese audience isn’t about finding the lowest common denominator. It’s about understanding how aesthetics carry meaning.

In Europe, clarity and minimalism often signify professionalism. In Japan, those same values take on a different rhythm—they are more subtle, precise, and deliberate.

We paid close attention to these nuances. Layout, typography, colour, spacing—each element was calibrated to feel familiar yet fresh.

The English version flows with the logic of a European institutional site; the Japanese version respects the codes of harmony and hierarchy central to Japanese communication design.

And yet, they’re both unmistakably JBCE.

More than a site—it’s a statement

This website isn’t just a showcase of JBCE’s work. It embodies its role as a connector—between markets, between policymakers, and between perspectives.

By aligning visual identity with cultural intuition and user experience with clarity of purpose, we’ve helped shape a platform that serves the organisation’s mission: building bridges between Europe and Japan through openness, dialogue, and shared ambition.

We’re proud to have played a part in that.

Take a look for yourself:

🇬🇧 English version

🇯🇵 Japanese version