Survey of 30 Design Education Institutions Reveals Only 1 Teaches "Unit Price Negotiation & Contracts" Systematically

KADOKAWA's "The Designer's Work Techniques to Earn Like a Cheat" | By Haruki Kondo

The advent of the AI era has made the gap between "creation skills" and "earning skills" apparent in the design industry. A survey of 30 design education institutions in Japan (10 art universities/colleges, 10 vocational schools, 10 online schools) conducted by Harukaze Inc. (Headquarters: Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, Representative Director: Haruki Kondo), which operates the design school "Dezajuku," based on publicly available information, revealed that while 29 institutions offer employment and career support, only 1 institution systematically teaches "unit price negotiation and contracts," which directly affect a designer's income.

It's not that there's "no place to learn," but rather "no place to learn how to earn." Haruki Kondo (22), a young creator facing this industry structure, will release his first book, "The Designer's Work Techniques to Earn Like a Cheat," nationwide through bookstores and online retailers on July 15, 2026 (Wed) from KADOKAWA.

The background includes two observed factors: (1) a structural void where "earning methodologies" have not been systematically taught in either art or vocational education, and (2) the increasing disparity between "creation skills" and "earning skills" due to the arrival of the AI era.

Only 1 out of 30 Institutions Systematically Teaches "Unit Price Negotiation & Contracts"

Harukaze Inc. surveyed 30 design education institutions in Japan regarding the presence of "earning methodology" education in their curricula, based on publicly available information (official websites, syllabi, public achievements). The aggregation was performed with a strict criterion: "Yes" only if clearly confirmed in public information.

【Graph A | Coverage of "Earning Methodologies" by 30 Design Education Institutions】

While "client work" and "support for independent practice," which are close to creation, are somewhat widespread across the industry, only 1 institution (3%) out of 30 systematically teaches "unit price negotiation and contracts," which directly impacts actual income. This revealed a structural void in the industry where one can learn the "power to create" through design, but almost no place to learn the "power to determine one's compensation."

"Methodologies for Earning as an Individual" Show a Significant Gap Between Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools

When the survey was aggregated by category, a trend was observed where educational institutions primarily focused on "employment" tended to have weaker practical education for earning as an individual.

【Graph B | Number of Institutions Clearly Teaching "Earning Methodologies" by Category (out of 10 institutions per category)】

"Sales & Project Acquisition" showed a progression from 0 universities to 1 vocational school to 7 online schools, and "Support for Independent Practice" from 2 universities to 3 vocational schools to 10 online schools, indicating a clear bias depending on the category. The "earning power" acquired is largely divided based on the learning institution's ultimate goal (whether it aims for employment or earning as an individual).

Employment Support is Available at Almost All Institutions, but There are Qualitative Differences in "Practical Earning Skills"

▼ Art Universities/Colleges (10 institutions)

Career support for building a stable livelihood through employment as a professional is provided by all 10 institutions. On the other hand, institutions that clearly teach "sales & project acquisition," "unit price negotiation & contracts," and "SNS promotion" were all 0. Even after studying for up to 4 years, practical education for obtaining work and earning income independently can only be confirmed to a limited extent through public information.

▼ Vocational Schools (10 institutions)

There are many opportunities for employment support, corporate connections, and practical creation. However, the scope of "earning methodologies" covered varies greatly among schools, ranging from 0 to 4 items, with only some schools delving into sales, SNS, and monetization.

▼ Online Schools (10 institutions)

With course durations ranging from several weeks to several months, or continuous monthly learning, they can be broadly categorized into: (1) those aiming for short-term portfolio and achievement building, (2) those accompanying students for several months to start side businesses, and (3) those providing long-term support for independent practice and continuous project acquisition. It is necessary to consider the curriculum content along with the course duration and learning objectives. Notably, even in the long-term type, which offers the most comprehensive learning opportunities, the number of institutions that clearly teach "unit price negotiation and contracts" was limited.

Overall, both art universities, which offer up to 4 years of study, and the most comprehensive long-term online schools, share a common industry-wide void: the "power to determine compensation (unit price negotiation & contracts)."

A Solution to the Industry's Void

In response to this industry void, the design school "Dezajuku," operated by the author, has seen students significantly increase their income through reskilling.

Dezajuku New Year's Party (Held January 10, 2026, at Shibuya Hikarie)

【※The following are individual cases with the author's permission to disclose】 ・ Mr. Yuasa (Side business, male): Despite 7 years of side business experience, his income had stagnated around 40,000-50,000 yen per month. After learning sales, proposal, and communication at Dezajuku, he received a project worth 100,000 yen in his first month and a project worth 300,000 yen in his second month.

・ Michiru (Mother of 4, full-time housewife): After graduating from another school, she struggled to acquire projects. After learning sales, task management, and client work, she achieved 250,000 yen per month within 4 months of enrollment.

・ Megumi (Independent from inexperienced, female): Transitioned from a company employee with a take-home pay of around 160,000 yen per month to independence after learning design and client work. Her current income is stable at around 300,000 yen per month, with a peak monthly income of 700,000 yen.

These are individual cases. Comprehensive data on changes in all students (survey on reskilling realities) and a survey on the awareness of young creators in the AI era are scheduled to be released as a follow-up (Part 2) in mid-July 2026.

About KADOKAWA's "The Designer's Work Techniques to Earn Like a Cheat"

Endorsement Comments

Takashi Maeda | Representative Director, NASU Inc. / Creative Director After reading the proofs, I frankly thought, "This is really good." It goes beyond seeing design as "a job of making things look good" and connects it to the client's business results and value provision. A design book that directly confronts the theme of "earning" is rare, and I feel that's the strength of this book.

Author's Comments

More and more designers can't get past "AI can do this." But what's truly valuable are people who can creatively translate vague requests, persuade others, and set their own prices. In my 8 years of field experience and guiding over 700 people, I keenly felt the number of people who "have skills but can't earn." Even those with impeccable technical skills whose income is insufficient can increase their earnings severalfold just by communicating about proposals and managing expectations. The ability to create and the ability to earn are completely different things. There is no place that systematically teaches this, and there's even an atmosphere in the industry that hesitates to talk about "earning." I spent two years writing a textbook to break that atmosphere. (Author Haruki Kondo)

Author Profile ~Started as a designer in the 2nd year of junior high school, published a book at 22~

Haruki Kondo | Representative Director, Harukaze Inc.

Experienced 4 years of studying abroad in Cebu from the 2nd grade of elementary school. Started his business as a designer in the 2nd year of junior high school (age 14) and gradually expanded his field of activity using social media. Currently, in addition to creative production both domestically and internationally, he operates the design school "Dezajuku," which has over 700 students. He is a young entrepreneur who serves as an advisor for Ryugaku Joho Kan, a lecturer at Kindai University, and has numerous speaking engagements. His X followers exceed 40,000, garnering support from young designers and entrepreneurs. X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/halukik_0520

Book Launch Commemorative Online Event on July 15

To commemorate the release of this book, a commemorative online talk event, "Learn from Yourself -> Earn from Yourself," will be held for free via Zoom on July 28, 2026 (Tue) at 21:00 with Kaori Iwata, a family education consultant (author of "Strategic Hands-Off Education," which has sold over 70,000 copies).

The dialogue will focus on the continuity between "learning" and "earning," changes in work styles and career perspectives for Gen Z, and generational awareness gaps.

Application URL: https://liff.line.me/1657292180-JgXbO5A7/landing?follow=%40109dsllv&lp=23Ufug&liff_id=1657292180-JgXbO5A7

Latest event information will be sequentially released on the official Harukaze Inc. website (https://harukaze.inc/) and Haruki Kondo's X (formerly Twitter).

Supplementary Data for Media Outlets (By Request)

The complete version and original source materials of the data presented in this release (mapping of learning opportunities at 30 design education institutions) will be provided separately to media outlets for coverage. This includes a judgment list by institution, source URLs, category-based aggregations, and graph images (PNG/PDF).

Furthermore, a survey on the realities of reskilling among Dezajuku students and a survey on the awareness of young creators in the AI era are scheduled to be released in mid-July 2026 as a follow-up (Part 2).

Requests should be directed to the contact information at the end of this release.

Book Information

Book Title: The Designer's Work Techniques to Earn Like a Cheat

Author: Haruki Kondo

Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation

Release Date: July 15, 2026 (Wed)

Price: 2,310 yen (tax included)

Format/Pages: A5 / 320 pages

ISBN: ISBN 978-4-04-607391-4 (ISBN-10: 4046073918)

Amazon Reservation: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4046073918/

Harukaze Inc. Company Overview

Company Name: Harukaze Inc.

Representative: President and Representative Director Haruki Kondo

Location: 436 Ushishinzawa, Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, 369-0222

Established: August 27, 2025

Business Activities:

- Brand and Product Development

- Creative Communication

- Dezajuku (Design and Business Skills Education Program)

Official Website: https://harukaze.inc/

Inquiries / Media Requests Regarding This Release

Harukaze Inc. Public Relations

Contact Person: Kaori Takeuchi

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 080-8843-9905

Official Website: https://harukaze.inc/

*For media outlets considering coverage, we will immediately provide a complete set of materials (institution-specific judgments, source URLs, graph images).

Survey Overview (Footnote)

Survey Subject: Harukaze Inc. / Dezajuku

Survey Target: 30 design education institutions in Japan (10 art universities/colleges, 10 vocational schools, 10 online schools)

Survey Method: Collection and organization of publicly available information (official websites, public syllabi, brochures, public achievements)

Survey Period: June 2026

Aggregation Criteria: Judged as "Yes" only if "clearly confirmed" in public information for each item (excluded if limited to peripheral measures).