Designerinterview
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After studying architecture and interior design at Tokyo Zokei University, I studied industrial design engineering at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London, UK, and now run an industrial design office in…
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?
After studying architecture and interior design at Tokyo Zokei University, I studied industrial design engineering at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London, UK, and now run an industrial design office in Japan.
I've loved making things since I was a child. I just love using my hands to create things, and I think that's what led me to become a designer.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
We are N&R Foldings Japan Co., Ltd., an industrial design company based in Yokohama, Japan.
We are a studio that can create a wide range of designs, from fashion products to medical equipment, furniture, packaging, and art pieces.
What is "design" for you?
I think of it as a task of summoning the most elegant, functional objects that should exist there from the metaphysical world into reality.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I believe that a design does not just exist as a prototype or a finished product, but is only valuable when it is manufactured, functions, and operates smoothly with durability.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I like things that are not just decorative, but whose structure reflects the characteristics and function of the material in their shape, inevitably creating beauty.
For example, I am attracted to structurally excellent bridges, large buildings, and highly specialized equipment.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
The first was an inflatable tent design that created personal space.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I am very fond of and utilize metal bending, CNC machining and 3D printing technologies.
When do you feel the most creative?
When people experience inconvenience or inefficiency in their activities, I like to think that there must be something there. Necessity is a treasure trove of ideas.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
The new thing we create should have a reason to exist in this world, function as effortlessly as possible, and not become waste.
There are a huge number of factors to consider in order to achieve this. However, it is important not to neglect this. We must sincerely face the situation in front of us.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I design with excitement, imagining the joy and smiles of those who will hold it in their hands.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I savor the satisfaction of having summoned a new object into the real world.
What makes a design successful?
Don't ignore constraints.
Consider them as much as possible and keep looking for ways to overcome them.
That's why all the testing and prototyping is so important.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
First, I follow the feeling I get from the appearance of the item honestly.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
It's about asking yourself, investigating, and trying to do as much as possible about the way things are created and the meaning of their existence.
Everything may not be perfect, but we now have the technology to connect with many people. I think it's important to avoid self-satisfaction and to collaborate as much as possible.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
It may become more complex. There are certainly more things to consider. I think we will need to work together to overcome these challenges, and develop as a team.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
I don't have any particular plans at the moment, but when a product I'm involved in is announced, that may be the start of a new exhibition.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I try to be interested in a wide variety of things and learn every day. The human brain combines these things at unexpected times and in unexpected combinations. I believe that the more seemingly unrelated things are, the more opportunities they contain.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I am always thinking about creating new products that will be used naturally as commonplace items for a long time by people. The Volkswagen Beetle and Sony's Walkman are good examples. I am always thinking about what the best "just right" is.
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 was born and live in Japan, and I work here. Japanese culture has had a major influence on me. It influences how to create something simply from the natural world, and the profound depth of folding.
How do you work with companies?
My company works on industrial design in collaboration with many companies, from high fashion brands to medical equipment manufacturers and the manufacturing sector, and our philosophy is to proactively seek out connections wherever there is a need.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
I believe that good design comes from careful consideration and research of a variety of factors, not just superficial aesthetic appearance, but also how the product will be used, the feelings of those who will use it, how it will be produced, how it will be stored, and its life cycle. To achieve this, it is important to share almost all information and feelings from the early stages and to take sufficient time and process to think together. This is difficult to achieve in a short amount of time.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I research and learn everything that may be relevant, and organize the information. I spend a lot of time researching and studying. I then come up with ideas and create as many prototypes as possible, not just in appearance but also in function. I refine the design through these iterations.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Brompton folding bicycle
Sony RX100 digital camera
Wexley backpack
AMPA HI OG CVS ZIP
Herman Miller office chair
Can you describe a day in your life?
I work at night. It's not a good thing, but late at night is when I can concentrate the most. I tried a lot of things, but this is what I came up with.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Get paid to create something for someone as soon as possible. It will be easier to understand what you need to know and be able to do for someone. Self-centered design is no good.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
You will learn a lot and discover the joy of creating new things. At the same time, you may feel many obstacles in reality. But the pain and joy of working single-mindedly while dreaming of a wonderful future may be the answer to that question.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
Don't create trash!
What skills are most important for a designer?
The wisdom to determine the mission's collection goal.
The strength of mind and body to see it through to the end.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Powerful PCs, Adobe products, Rhinoceros, SolidWorks.
And above all else, a desire to have fun.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
That's a big problem for me.
Setting a deadline is a great way to go about it. I think it works best if you break it down into several elements and set the highest possible resolution.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends. Sometimes it takes years, sometimes it can be done in a month.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
What have you designed recently?
What was your most important job experience?
All of them. All of them are valuable lessons.
Who are some of your clients?
I often connect with people through friends of friends, so I try to post information frequently.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Doing design research in exclusive locations that only clients can enter, because you can learn a lot of new things.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I would like to design unique items in many more genres, and create them together with many other people.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I often work with people from other companies, clients, other professionals and engineers.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
There are many secrets. Stay tuned!
How can people contact you?
Please contact us via social media or our website.
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
If there are any companies that can work with us from the development of fundamental elemental technologies to the design of the final product, please contact me.
