Interview with Akira Nakagomi

My father was a carpenter, so I was interested in making things and design from an early age. I studied architecture at university, but became interested in product design, which is more familiar to me, and became a designer.

1. to be beautiful
2. to be moving.
3. that you will want to use it for a long time.
I goal is to maximize the characteristics and beauty of materials to create beautiful product designs that become heirlooms. At the same time, he considers new values and their relationship to society through experimental design.
I try to create new designs that combine digital tools, the latest technology, and the handiwork of craftsmen.

The stage of coming up with an idea, designing it, and brushing it up is very exciting.
I feel a sense of happiness when a product becomes a better product through design and cooperation with various craftsmen and other people.

My father was a carpenter, and I was interested in making things from an early age because I was exposed to tools and other things from a young age.I also think it is important to have experienced many inspiring things, not only in design, but also in film, literature, photography, culture, and so on.
These various valuable experiences have helped me to create my own unique identity.

my goal is to create a design that will surprise and engage children.

Young designers are encouraged to experience many things that move and inspire them, not only in design.
We believe that those precious experiences will be expressed into your unique and wonderful design.

It is important to enjoy designing and designing. If you don't enjoy designing or designing, there is a compromise or mistake somewhere in the process, and you need to have the courage to discover it and redo it.

Design and paperwork in the morning, a walk and design research at lunch, then design and design work from there until the evening. Ideas are often considered late at night or early in the morning.

We do not consciously follow trends.
I only research information that comes to me naturally and interests me.
On the other hand, I try to reinterpret old techniques in the modern age.

The most important thing is to be impressed.
This excitement can be in the form of a story behind the product, a technological innovation, or a new form.
I believe that a good design is one that can move people.

This is the time limit for the presentation of the design, etc.
There is no end in sight as we are always thinking of ways to improve the design and always thinking of ways to make it better.

“Object”. The design of this partition is to make the image of a drip-proof partition into something that will add color to daily life.After the COVID-19 has ended, the partition will not be discarded after its role has been completed, but rather designed to become an object that will be cherished and cherished.

Tokujin Yoshioka's designs are very much an emotional experience and will stay with me forever.

I live in Japan. The Japanese culture has greatly influenced my idea of designing with the best use of materials and the simplest structure possible. One of the advantages of designing in Japan is that it is easy to design something that will be loved for a long time, but it may take time for people to find it.

I develop my own designs.
I seek partners who are interested in many things, not just design.

I can not only enrich people's lives, but also help them through design.

1. It is very stimulating and motivating to see the work of excellent designers from all over the world.

2. It is important that better designs are spread throughout the world.

3. I am very honored! I feel very happy to be designing.

My father was a carpenter, and watching him from an early age sparked my interest in manufacturing and design. I studied architecture at university, but when I became interested in product design, which was more familiar to me than architecture, I learned about Honey-pop, which was designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. I then decided to become a designer because I wanted to design products that would move and surprise people.

I chose to become a designer myself.

We have designed sofas, chairs, tables, flower vases, clocks, etc. We would like to design boats, automobiles, and other objects of a size that encompass people.

Regardless of design, I think it is important to seek out and experience many moving and gratifying experiences.

We believe that a good designer is not only able to design superficially, but is also able to lead things in the direction of betterment through his/her designs.

It is not superficial, but something that improves our lives. It is also something that gives us new values, etc.

Good design enriches and calms our minds. Such a design will be used for a long time, thereby eliminating wasteful consumption.

I would like to design toys that will interest children in materials and mechanisms.

Transparent wall clock. The numbers appear only where the hands pass by the clock.

It's about loving design and continuing to design.

Tokujin Yoshioka/ Thomas Heatherwick/Olafur Eliasson

Standard Chair(Jean Prouve) I am impressed by the structurally reasonable shape, such as the thickening of the back legs, which carry a heavy load, in the seat area, and the overall beautiful form of the chair.

“Object”. The design of this partition is to make the image of a drip-proof partition into something that will add color to daily life.After the COVID-19 has ended, the partition will not be discarded after its role has been completed, but rather designed to become an object that will be cherished and cherished.

I think that we should try to be sensitive to what moves us and what we think is beautiful, not only in design but in all things in life, and observe and record them.

I think I would have been a cook.

Design is not about superficial beauty, but about enriching life by approaching it from every part.

My children.

Experiencing the perspectives of not only designers, but also artists and photographers at various exhibitions led to rich expression.

The hard but interesting part is not only to do a good design, but also to get people to cooperate in order to make it happen.

I think we should present the attractiveness of the work we design to reach as many people as possible、rather than asserting yourself as the designer.

My next project is to develop products to support disaster and emergency evacuation. I would like to design products that are useful for people who need help and that can enrich their lives even in such emergency situations.

I want to design space-related products.

Things that make life better.

We can not only enrich people's lives, but also help them through design.

It is the ability to output with a 3D printer in a variety of materials.

The living environment changed drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I participated in a project that tried to turn it in the right direction through the power of design.
I am very happy to have received this award for the product I completed there.

Coexistence of the latest technology and traditional craftsmanship.

Designs that incorporate more technology.

About 3 to 6 months.

Interviewing clients, as well as understanding and organizing their environment.

I want to design products that make people feel emotion and richness.

I think there are both. However, I think that historical designs negate the trends of their time and show a major new way forward.And I think it will arise again as a new trend.

I believe that technology can save time, allowing for more verification and more accurate design.

Rhinoceros/Grasshopper/Maxwellrender

I believe that material is structure and the greatest expression of design.
Color is the essence of the design, and it also supports the user's operation.

New values and long-lasting designs

I think about the life scenery that will be enriched by using the product and the image that the designer aimed for in designing it.

A knowledgeable and skilled manufacturer is the ideal design partner.

Children. Children's perspectives are always fresh and they see things honestly.
I am reminded of many things by their questions.

Yvea Brunier
landscape arcitect paysagiste

It's about loving design and continuing to design.

It may take time, but I believe it is possible.

My favorite places are the sea, mountains and old cities.
My favorite season is summer.

The fact that my child casually folded some origami, and I developed an idea and designed it.

Whenever my goals become unclear, I look at the work of my favorite designers and designers to motivate me to get closer to them.

No, I never thought I would become a designer.

We may be in a world where what people think of or photograph can be immediately reproduced and held in their hands.There may be no designers.

I will continue to design products that create new values.

Akira Nakagomi, born in 1977,established AKIRA NAKAGOMI DESIGN in 2015.
His incorporates new concepts based on the characteristics of materials and manufacturing methods, and her activities range from industrial design products to furniture, graphics, and interior design. His goal is to maximize the characteristics and beauty of materials to create beautiful product designs that will become family heirlooms. At the same time, they consider new values and their relationship with society through experimental design.

I believe "design" they are not only to enrich our lives, but also to be spices that sometimes inspire us, or treasures to be remembered.

I like works that I can be moved by and want to cherish for many years.

This is Tokujin Yoshioka's Honey-pop.
By spreading out the layers of paper, a silhouette of a chair appears, and by hardening the seat into your own shape, you can complete the work, which is a surprising and moving experience.

This flower vase is completed by bending thin stainless steel.

brass/stainless steel/stone/acrylic/paper

I feel most creative in the moments when I come up with fun and interesting ideas.

I goal is to maximize the characteristics and beauty of materials to create beautiful product designs that become heirlooms. At the same time, he considers new values and their relationship to society through experimental design.

I feel the tension and the anticipation of what is to come.

I feel a sense of accomplishment and joy at having achieved what I designed.

Believe in myself. Communicate that feeling to those around you and have them understand it.

I judge a good design by whether it can make things better, not by its superficial beauty.

I believe that designers should use their design skills to make things better and avoid making things that are self-indulgent and wasteful. We believe that by creating products that will be loved for a long time, we can avoid wasting resources and take responsibility for the environment.

New technologies have made it possible to manufacture in small lots and have reduced the difficulty of entering the design field, resulting in an increasing variety of designs. In the future, design will become more segmented, and design skills will be used not only for superficial design, but also for processes and ways of thinking.

Exhibition in Tokyo in June 2021. The next exhibition will be held in Tokyo in November 2022.

Sources of inspiration are not limited to design alone; I record what I experience and what moves me or makes me happy, and then I analyze these elements and how I can reproduce them.

I goal is to maximize the characteristics and beauty of materials to create beautiful product designs that will become family heirlooms. At the same time, they consider new values and their relationship with society through experimental design.

I live in Japan. The Japanese culture has greatly influenced my idea of designing with the best use of materials and the simplest structure possible. One of the advantages of designing in Japan is that it is easy to design something that will be loved for a long time, but it may take time for people to find it.

I design, design, present, and check the production process.

Instead of just choosing a designer with a good design, it is better to listen to the designer's beliefs and choose a designer with whom you can often talk and have an experience that will create new values.

First, we interview the client about what he or she is trying to achieve, and then we examine whether the goal is correct and whether there is anything the client himself or herself is not yet aware of.
Then, we consider the appropriate materials, and search for the essence of the work to reach the feelings of as many people as possible, and repeat many considerations.

i-mac/Solid brass/Studio Olafur Eliasson(book)/Landi Chair/ TO(watch)

Work in the morning, take a walk or do design research at noon, and work into the evening. In the evening, I also take a walk and think about ideas, etc.

Young designers are encouraged to experience many things that move and inspire them, not only in design.
We believe that those precious experiences will be expressed into your unique and wonderful design.

It is a good thing to observe things carefully and discover new things. The bad thing is that I think about such things all the time.

It is whether what you design will impress you or whether you will love it for a long time.

I believe it is a matter of observation.

Rhinoceros/grasshopper/maxwellrender/Studio Olafur Eliasson(book)/Marc Newson(book)/Dieter Rams: The Complete Works(book)/KLIMT(book)

We consult with the contractor at the rough design drawing stage, and design the product while listening to the characteristics of the materials and the factory's technology.

About 3 months

How did you think about it?

The most important experience was when the factory told us it was technically difficult and we had to go through several meetings to get it done with everyone's help.

Furniture brands and myself.

I love beautiful and inspiring design work. Such works of design are not for consumption, but to be treasured for a lifetime.

Development of disaster and emergency products

I develop my own designs.

I can't talk yet.

You can contact us via email.
akira@akiranakagomi.com