University's Moffat Centre helps out - graduate designs Japanese tartan
One of the University’s graduates and Moffat Centre businesses has designed a range of tartans aimed at the Japanese market.
Tartan design business, Sakura Scotland, is run by John Melvin, (MSc Tourism Marketing 2007), and wife, Shizue. 'Sakura' means 'cherry blossom' in Japanese and is a reference to the company’s signature product. They have created a range of tartans - the Four Seasons - aimed at the Japanese market and reflecting the close attachment the Japanese have towards nature.
John credits Edinburgh Napier’s Moffat Centre with helping him start up the company, and said: “Sakura Scotland just would not have been possible without the help of the staff at the University's Moffat Centre,”
John also has fond memories of his time on the Tourism Marketing course and said:
“The lecturers on my favourite courses all set high standards - Dr Donna Chambers , John Thompson and Dr Anna Leask and I was very grateful for the additional support the University offered. The class was very international in character and it was great to mix with students from different backgrounds and cultures. I was 
also lucky enough to win several mentoring sessions with an experienced business entrepreneur, who gave invaluable advice on many aspects of business.”
In October 2010 Sakura Scotland held a special ‘Japan meets Sukottorando Day’ at St Thomas of Aquins High School where they featured Japanese-inspired designs from students at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. Profits went to a local charity 'Scottish Love in Action', and Sakura Scotland has been asked to host a similar event later this year, with designs from Scottish and Japanese high school and university students.
This “Japan meets Sukottorando” event built on the recent ‘Japan-UK 150’ series of events that heralded a renewed interest in the ties between the two nations, particularly in the fields of culture and education .
The Moffat Centre is an incubator space for students and graduates of Edinburgh Napier who want to set up and run their own businesses. Start-up and ongoing advice from Edinburgh Napier staff and external advisers is available.
For more information please visit:
http://www.napier.ac.uk/business-school/SchoolsandCentres/Pages/MoffatCentre.aspx