Interviews with Yuko Inamine

When I was little, I wanted to be a toy store, a florist, and a school teacher. I continued to study design while obtaining an art teacher's license at university. During that time, I noticed that I was interested in items around children, and I started to specialize in learning toys and interiors for children. I have loved stuffed animals since I was a child, and I design designs that make the most of my own characteristics.

Okinawa, where I live, is an island rich in nature, so I often create works inspired by nature.

I also like to communicate through mockups and prototypes.

The designer I admire the most is Ettore Sottsass.

What I wanted to achieve most was the functionality that one item has. Since Japanese houses are not large, products with different functions have existed for a long time.

I wanted to use it for a long time, so I thought that I could prevent fading by making plywood using colored paper instead of painting the surface colorfully.

This piece was not commissioned, but was created as a personal piece. It is a work that incorporates my values, visual appeal, and functional appeal. I made it to reconfirm my sense of values.

The name "Flower" comes specifically from the shape of the piece. When you display a lot of these stools, it looks like a flower garden. I gave it this name because I wanted to give it the image of taking one wheel home from there.

The unique thing about my work is that the flower shape locks the movement and helps the function. This flower shape is very important because it helps the cute atmosphere of the product and also leads to functionality.

When I made bent plywood, the board broke many times. I repeated the experiment many times because it was difficult to adjust with the tight U shape. I arrived at this finished form by adjusting the grain and thickness of the wood.

When I was little, I wanted to be a toy store, a florist, and a school teacher. I continued to study design while I have loved drawing since I was a child.

I wanted to become a school teacher. I enrolled in an art university with the aim of becoming an art teacher and was exposed to the joy of design. Having a background of aspiring to be a school teacher, he creates many works for children.

Many of my designs are inspired by nature and animals.

Another feature of our work is that we research interesting materials. I am constantly researching new materials such as plywood and paper making.

For me, design is something that makes everyday life a little bit richer.

I believe that it is important for design to be modest. Design is essential for nourishing the soul, so I think design is very important when you want to enrich your soul.

I like designing products for children. It's also fun to create cute motifs and colorful pieces. It's so nice to see children having fun with their designs.

My favorite designs are cute ones that combine colors.

I also love the curvaceous and adorable shape. I aim for a design that is as fun as a toy.

I use a lot of natural materials such as paper and wood. My favorite material is Japanese paper. I sometimes make my own Japanese paper from a tree called "Mitumata" and use it as a material for my works.

I feel very creative when I do my makeup. The act of choosing lipstick and eyeshadow colors while thinking about how I feel today and the people I meet is similar to the excitement of designing, which is fun.

What I value in design is the finish. The impression of the work changes greatly depending on the texture and color. What I value most is the moment when the work is completed.

When I'm designing, I'm excited.

I love expressing what I'm thinking through colors and shapes.

The most fun part of design is coming up with lots of ideas. I think the most difficult thing in design is verifying whether it is possible.

I'm curious about people's reactions when the design becomes a reality.

I would like to see if you find my work enjoyable.

Another feeling I have is that I feel a little sad that this work has come to an end.

I think designers have a lot of responsibility. In production activities, it is conceivable that many experiments and disposals are repeated. It is a necessary process to create better products, and I believe that my mission is to create attractive products that people will want to cherish forever. When you live together for a long time, attachment is also born. I want to become a person who can create designs that people can feel attached to.

Recently, I held a solo exhibition in my hometown of Okinawa in April. We were able to get coverage in a domestic newspaper, and I feel that we were successful.

In June, we are planning to hold a triumphant return exhibition of the works exhibited at Milano Salone with fellow craftsmen and designers.

A lot of my inspiration comes from nature such as plants and animals. Okinawa, where I was born and raised, is rich in nature and has many unique animals and plants.

My design style is "adorable". It is said that many Japanese people like cute things, and I am one of them. This is because we believe that cute things are tied to the psychology of cherishing things, wanting to cherish them forever, wanting to be with them forever. We aimed for a design that makes children want to cherish things, just like a child holding a stuffed animal.

I live in Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa has colorful flowers and various creatures. Since it was originally a country called Ryukyu, a lot of unique culture remains. You can get various perspectives on the island where Japanese culture, American culture, and Chinese culture are mixed.

First, create dozens of idea sketches. I've picked some of my favorites and fine-tuned them while listening to my colleagues' advice. As soon as the drawing is completed, we will start the production.

1. stuffed animals

My family bought it for me when I was young. It's been with me for a long time, so it's pretty worn out, but it's a memorable item.

2. Picture books

When I was a kid, I was afraid to read the works of Edward Gorey. I can read it now, but it still scares me.

However, the illustrations are unique and attractive, so I will open it.

3. Ghibli DVD

I like Ghibli's "From Up on Poppy Hill" and have watched it over and over again. It's a minor work in Ghibli, but it's my favorite work. Watching this DVD makes me want to clean my room.

4, earmuffs

Recently purchased to increase production efficiency. In woodworking production, the loud sound of heavy machinery is unavoidable, so this is attached. Relieved from stress.

5. Cotton candy machine

I got it from my friend for my birthday. If you put candy in it, it will be fluffy, and if you wrap it with disposable chopsticks, it will be as delicious as the one on sale. My favorite is the pineapple flavored cotton candy.

An average day wakes up at 9am and goes to the workshop at 11am. I will make a work until 17:00. I teach art as an art teacher from 6pm. After work, I go to the gym to work out and go to bed around midnight.

What makes me happy as a designer is being able to embody the ideals I envisioned. I'm glad I became a designer who creates cute, fun, and kind things.

I felt that it was a difficult question to ask about what designers are not good at. If I had to say it, I would be both happy and frustrated if my ideal had already been sold. I think it's a difficult problem in making things.

I believe that the most important aspect of design is the ability to communicate. Using sketches, renderings, etc., I find no discrepancies between the client and my ideals, or discover the differences and convey my thoughts. This is an important skill for creating good works, and I focus on visualizing and conveying what is in my head.

Design tools range from digital to analog.

I use software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Rhinoceros, and use woodworking tools when creating. (Belt sander, etc.) After that, I will think of ideas using a pink pen and kraft paper post-it notes.

When I need inspiration, I read 1000chair books and touch classic chairs, and I watch picture books and anime (Ghibli, etc.) to expand my imagination.

I still use the schedule management method that I learned from school when I was in junior high school.

Set the schedule for the week in detail every hour, and if there are any corrections, rewrite them with colored pens. It is easy to balance flexibility and discipline because you can control whether the schedule is going well or not within a week.

Mockups are the most time consuming part of design. Sometimes it takes a month to repeat experiments and verifications. In the meantime, we will make a certain amount of image of the finish and perform the main production. The average time from idea to completion is 4-6 months. Early ones can be completed in a week.

Working with children is very exciting. Children honestly tell us that it's "fun" and "boring", so we get subsolute feedback.

In addition, I can move very creatively because I can demonstrate my strengths such as soft materials, gentle colors, and natural materials.

I am currently working alone. I love cute things, so I would like to work in a team if there are people with the same feeling.

I have a toy car made of wood that I'm working on right now. Children can actually ride and move around, and they can assemble it themselves. You can become a driver or a dealer, so you can have a wider range of play.