DIC Corporation is a fine chemical manufacturer with the world's largest market share in printing inks and organic pigments.

PIGMENT TOKYO is now collaborating with DIC Corporation and has started carrying their colorants, which have never been distributed to individuals before.

Currently, we have set up a special display in our store where you get to have a look at actual pigments and paint samples using various mediums.

Moreover, along with the announcement of this project, we interviewed Manabu Ohira of DIC Corporation's Pigment Sales Group 1, who is in charge of cosmetics, and talked about these products and his thoughts on “color.”

- Do you mind telling us what brought you to the decision to collaborate with us?

This would throw me back to the day I first met Mr. Iwaizumi from PIGMENT TOKYO three years ago.

Our company provides sales training programs for new comer where we visit various clients, and I was allowed to visit an ink manufacturer that we do business with every year. During the visit,a key person of the factory suggested that we should visit PIGMENT TOKYO as a training program for pigments.

Manabu Ohira from Pigments for Cosmetics, Pigment Sales Group 1 of DIC Corporation

- I see, so that's what happened!

I remember when I first came here with my colleagues, we were so overwhelmed by the color and especially by the wall of pigments! *laughs*

I was so interested not only in how neatly and beautifully the store is displayed but also in how you guys are able to sell pigments in such a captivating way, and not to mention, the customers who visit PIGMENT TOKYO are mostly high professionals such as designers.

As you can guess, I immediately introduced myself and DIC Pigments, then asked if I could do a project with you, including the consideration of carrying our products in the future. And this is the beginning of our story.

-Thank you very much. I know we only announced a joint press release about this project recently, but can you spare us more details of your collaboration with PIGMENT TOKYO?

DIC carries a wide variety of pigments; although there are customers who have been asking if it is possible to sell in small lots, due to the product lot size, it is difficult for us to sell them unless we receive a large order, so until now, we have been refusing such inquiries. However, we thought that a business model like PIGMENT TOKYO, which sells in 15g units, would not only meet the needs of our customers but would also lead to PR for the products we handle.

Furthermore, I was also very interested in the workshops and events held here with "color" as one of the keywords through different perspectives.

DIC is not only known for producing organic pigments, but also in resins, additives, design, and many other fields that are related to color.

But most importantly, we figured that a collaboration between DIC (which proposes "color" and "comfort" in our lives) and PIGMENT TOKYO (which pursues color and ways of expression) would bring out some interesting chemical reactions.

- It is certainly true that by combining each other's strengths, we can expect to develop in ways that we have never imagined before. So, what was your impression of PIGMENT TOKYO from the perspective of such a creative company like DIC?

I am currently in charge of the sales of pigments used in cosmetics. In the case of these pigments, I have been trying to make people feel the color and texture on their hands, but it is almost impossible for them to see and touch the physical products such as industrial pigments.

This is why I am so impressed by the business model ofPIGMENT TOKYO.It is not only because the actual pigments are displayed in such an eye-catching way but also you allow your customers to open the bottle up and see the texture and color with their own eyes. Perhaps I think this is the kind of space that will stimulate the senses of customers who visit as well.

I have introduced PIGMENT TOKYO to so many people including both inside and outside of the company, and I've heard nothing but "Brilliant!" and "I'm glad I came”!

- We’re flattered to hear that, thank you so much! May I also ask you to talk about the pigments that you are offering this time?

Yes totally, it is the INTENZA series, named after the word "intense," which means exciting and extraordinary. This series has been around for about 10 years and it is a safe colorant that has been approved for cosmetic use in Japan and the U.S. The main characteristic of INTENZA is that it produces vivid colors and does not lose its saturation when mixed, which makes this series easy to use and popular among our customers.

- Not going to lie, I've certainly never seen this color in a paint tube before. By the way, I heard that the blue pigment over here also has special characteristics.

It is called Lina Blue, a plant-derived blue colorant extracted from the cyanobacteria Spirulina, which is also commonly used as a supplement. This is a bright blue edible colorant that allows you to add refreshing colors to cocktails or other drinks.

-After this collaboration, is there anything you would like to share with us about your vision of “color”?

You see, the INTENZA series I mentioned earlier is intended for cosmetics, but I hope that the creators at PIGMENT TOKYO will expand the range of its artistic usages.

PIGMENT TOKYO sells not only pigments, but also various kinds of mediums and paintbrushes, so I am very optimistic to see what new discoveries can be made through such combinations.

I'm also very excited about developing a business that I can ignite the creativity of my customers with “color”.

INTENZA series can be used with gum arabic medium and used as watercolors, or with acrylic-based mediums.

- Of course, we will do our best to introduce as many customers as possible to the charm of DIC Corporation's products and thank you for your time today.

Art Materials Expert at PIGMENT TOKYO

Akira Oya

Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art. While working at PIGMENT TOKYO as an Art Materials Expert, he also continues his career as a visual artist.

Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art. While working at PIGMENT TOKYO as an Art Materials Expert, he also continues his career as a visual artist.