Tomohiro Horibe

About Tomohiro Horibe

TOMOHIRO HORIBE is first-class licensed Architect, product designer and company president of his own building material selling company. Born in Japan 1969 and studied Architect at Tokyo Metropolitan University. First career was condominium design at construction company for 5 years. Second career was product development and product design at Log Home building company for 8 years, and lived in Vancouver of Canada 3 years at that time. During construction business career total more than 13 years, learned about building material a lot. Established Material World in 2006 that is building material selling company in Japan. Many of selling products are very unique and special item because not selling regular item, but selling original producing items. Not only product design, but also packaging design, product name, brochure design, lighting done by own. Loves recycled material, natural products, and brand new ideas.

Winner of the A' Design Award.
Specialized in Furniture Design.
Original Design.
Creative, Diligent and Innovative.

Interview with Tomohiro Horibe

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I studied architecture at university and got a job as a designer at a general contractor. Even back then, I was interested in manufacturing as a designer.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

My company is called Time & Garden, and we sell original design building materials under the brand name Material World.

What is "design" for you?

Design is a unique way to differentiate yourself from others, a means to solve problems, and an important thing that satisfies people's hearts.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I am interested in product design, which involves recycling or upcycling things that have previously been thrown away or not been put to good use, to create something new.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

It is my latest design, a wall material made from scrap wood from furniture and joinery factories. It is a thin, delicate and beautiful French herringbone style panel unit that can be easily installed.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

Switch & plug outlet cover plate, it’s called’Tokyo Jacket’. It has 2 layers Acrylic and Aluminum.

When do you feel the most creative?

I've never been particularly conscious of it, but sometimes an idea that I've been thinking about and worrying about for a long time suddenly takes shape.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

I would like to create something new, something interesting, something different from others. I would say it’s Inquisitive.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

AI would create almost everything in the future. Each designer has to have their own identity which is not copied easily by AI. However it should not be selfish .

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

Almost everything in my daily life. Movies, magazines, fashion, food, photography, packaging, etc..

Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

I live in Japan near Tokyo. My office is in Tokyo. Japanese customers are the most picky people in the world. Quality should be perfect always. It’s teaching me to think about not only just design but also how to make it. Also Japanese houses are so small, it should be compact and easy to install. However, it’s sometimes to much, it makes more rejection material.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

I travel often, and getting inspiration and feeling different atmospheres, and I could get so many ideas.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

Decide on a theme for the day and then go out, shape, color, materials, etc.. For example, if you decide today’s theme is ‘blue’, you should carefully check blue. You should check every blue items or prints or fashion, even food and so on. Then, you will realize it more deeply.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

AI will be more powerful and stronger than us. However AI could not copy everything. One of impossible AI can’t copy is our design process. Not only finish product, we had better to open our design process or story as our advantage.

What skills are most important for a designer?

Difficult question, maybe Aesthetic sense and sensibility are important.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

Taking pictures a lot. Then sorting by material, colors, items, etc.. Just like Pinterest.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

Not only in Japan, but also in other countries I would like to do business.