Interview with Hiroto Nakamura

I especially enjoy designing furniture and interior-related works. I’m interested in creating designs inspired by nature, materials, and everyday life. I like exploring the characteristics of different materials and translating simple observations into functional and meaningful designs. What I find most rewarding is creating objects that people can interact with and experience in their daily lives.

My favorite design is the lighting project I created most recently. In my previous work, I mainly designed with visible materials such as wood and metal. With this project, I wanted to challenge myself by working with something invisible air as both the theme and the material. The project explores how an invisible element can shape the form and experience of an object. By using air to form the lighting, I was able to rethink the relationship between material, form, and perception. This project is especially meaningful to me because it pushed me beyond my previous approach to design and encouraged me to explore new possibilities.

My most recent exhibition was at SaloneSatellite 2026 during Milan Design Week, where I presented my latest lighting project. It was a great opportunity to share my work with an international audience and receive feedback from designers, manufacturers, and visitors from different backgrounds. The experience broadened my perspective and encouraged me to continue exploring new ideas. For my next exhibition, I’d like to present a new series of works that further explore the relationship between nature, materials, and invisible phenomena. I hope to exhibit internationally again and continue engaging with people from different cultures through my designs.

My inspiration mainly comes from nature, materials, and everyday life. I enjoy observing small details that people often overlook, such as the texture of natural materials, the way light changes throughout the day, or how people interact with objects and spaces.I also like experimenting with materials because I often discover new ideas through the making process. Rather than starting with a fixed solution, I prefer to explore different possibilities through sketches, prototypes, and hands-on experimentation. I think creativity comes from staying curious and paying attention to ordinary experiences. Those everyday observations often become the starting point for my designs.

I would describe my design approach as material-driven and inspired by everyday observations. Rather than starting with a specific form, I usually begin by exploring materials, natural phenomena, or small moments in daily life that spark my curiosity.Through research and experimentation, I try to understand the unique qualities of a material and how people might experience it. This often leads to unexpected ideas and new ways of thinking about furniture or objects.I aim to create designs that are simple and functional while also encouraging people to notice something they might otherwise overlook. I hope my work offers not only practical value but also a new perspective on the relationship between people, materials, and nature.