Interviews with Fuma Fujiwara

I am a student studying design at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts. I moved to Okinawa Prefecture from the main island of Japan when I was 18 years old.

Okinawa Prefecture is rich in nature and has a unique cultural background. I was amazed by the beauty of this nature and culture. However, only some know about Okinawa's incredible nature and culture. So, I have a mission to tell you what I found in Okinawa.

My motivation for design is that I want to tell people about my discoveries. I have always been curious and valued discoveries more than anything else. Findings that have a positive impact on people should be shared. So my designs are inspired by my discoveries because I want my discoveries to reach more people.

My father used to design advertising magazines. I remember my father drawing pictures for me when I was little. Maybe that's why I'm interested in working as a designer. However, I chose to become a designer myself rather than being forced to do so.

I like to look for materials from nature. We often use unique wood from Okinawa. Other than that, I have also used plastics discarded on the beach and volcanic rocks and pumice washed ashore in my designs.

We also specialize in acrylic designs.

Good design values relationships with people. Design that has a positive impact on people's lives and emotions is truly good design.

When good designs are shared with many people, society becomes a better place.

The ultimate design is a design that saves people's lives in the event of a disaster. To realize this design, various knowledge is required.

In Japan, I respect nendo's Oki Sato. Also, I admire foreign designers Zaha Hadid and Mies van der Rohe.

When I first saw Zaha Hadid's Mesa, I was blown away. This table showed me the design possibilities.

I like design work that makes use of my discoveries. To do so, we conduct various experiments.

Wood, acrylic, resin・Handwork, 3D printer.

When designing, there are times when things don't go well. So I try different methods to get past the trouble. I feel most creative when solving problems by fumbling around.

I value the relationship between design and people. For example, a sofa for someone to relax in should provide a comfortable sitting experience. Also, it should be beautiful in design to convey my findings to someone. I understand that design is communication with people.

There is an elation feeling of creating something new.

After the design is completed, I want to share my design with many people. There are two reasons for that. First, I want to share my discoveries with as many people as possible. Second, I am looking for advice from a perspective I do not have.

To make the design good, it is essential to make prototypes actively. Then, if there are many prototypes, you can compare and choose the better one.

Check if the design is kind. A beautiful design will not confuse users. For example, ”a product can be recognized as beautiful at a glance”, "A system that is simple and easy to use", and "A design that with social issues concepts."

Walking along the coast, you can find plastic bottles from different countries. On the other hand, I have never seen a water bottle on the beach. We need to design products that are cherished, not consumed.

The previous exhibition was held at the Tokyo International Furniture Fair (IFFT) in March 2023.

Next, I would like to exhibit in a country other than Japan this year.

My designs are inspired by Japanese nature and culture.

I am always looking for my discoveries. For that reason, I will visit Japanese ruins and participate in activities in nature. As a result, I get realizations and turn them into the design.

I live in Okinawa, Japan. I moved to Okinawa when I was 18. Before Okinawa Prefecture joined Japan, it was a country called the Ryukyu Kingdom. The cultural heritage of Japan and Ryukyu inspires my designs.

When making prototypes using 3D models, I use "Rhinoceros 3D". Data created with "Rhinoceras 3D" can print three-dimensional models with a 3D printer or create two-dimensional parts with a laser cutter.

Long projects took two months, and short projects took two weeks. I am currently working on a project that will be designed over a year.

Concepts are very important in the design and are often asked.

I like design work with a lot of experimental manipulation. In the past, I have designed a lighting fixture that uses light reflection. I experimented with various light expressions using 32 mirrors.

I want to announce discoveries in various competitions in the future.

Most of the time, I do the design and development myself. However, in the middle of the design, there were times when I asked the people around me for advice.

Check out my Instagram. You can send me a message via DM.