Ms. Aoyama is involved in various tasks, such as creating flexible embroidery punching data when customers request specific designs, producing embroidery sample books, and designing uniforms worn at trade shows and exhibitions. She handles a wide variety of other operations as well. What she leverages in her work is a combination of expertise in maximizing the embroidery machines’ capabilities and powers of expression honed since childhood. The designs she imagines and sets down are then converted into embroidery. The pleasure she derives from this informs her approach to craftsmanship.
Giving Shape to an Interest in Manufacturing
Ms. Aoyama, fascinated by fashion since childhood, studied clothesmaking as a university student in the Department of Fashion. Despite working in sales at one point, her passion for creating things never waned. One day, as she scrolled through her favorite creator’s social media posts, her interest was sparked in using embroidery machines for crafting.
She explains, “I happened to see someone using an embroidery machine to produce clothing and accessories. I thought it was amazing that this machine could turn something you had drawn into embroidery.” The name “Tajima” was printed on the machine, so she looked into it and discovered it was a company in Aichi Prefecture. She decided then and there to make some inquiries, which led to her joining the company. “They weren’t recruiting at the time, but I wanted to work for this company, and I told them that’s how I felt.”
Learning from Producing Sample Books
After joining the company, Ms. Aoyama first focused her energies on learning how to create embroidery data. Most every day she received training and honed her skills. Later on, about a year and a half after she joined the company, she started producing embroidery sample books. Ms. Aoyama not only handled selection of the embroidery designs featured in the books, but the design of the sample books themselves. Reflecting on that time, she says, “I created sample books that not only conformed with what the company wanted to convey and the image we wanted to express, but that also incorporated my own sensibilities and ideas. Although it was difficult, it was a learning experience.” She aims to create attractive sample books that inspire people to use Tajima machines. The process of creating a book has contributed significantly to her personal growth.
Something That Could Only Be Experienced at Tajima
Ms. Aoyama is presently active in a wide range of fields, including embroidery products commissioned by apparel brands and other clients as well as creating embroidery samples. She has also been in charge of designing uniforms used at major trade shows. Ms. Aoyama’s goal in such cases has been to foster a team spirit among the staff members working at those shows. The finished uniforms were popular and will be used at subsequent trade shows.
Ms. Aoyama states, “Refining my embroidery skills while on the job is an experience unique to this company. And there is still so much I want to learn.” We are keen to see what she will create in the future using the expressive techniques of embroidery.
Sales&Planning Division | Aria Aoyama
Born in 1996
Joined Tajima Industries Ltd. in 2020
After graduating from university, she was employed by an accessory sales company. Upon discovering Tajima’s embroidery machines, she made a career switch and now works in the Marketing Department. In her free time, she enjoys studying chasing (metal engraving), visiting museums, and watching movies, and she is devoted to refining her sensibilities in craftsmanship.
