Interview with Kenichiro Oomori

My motivation is the moment when I can realize that there are people who are happy with the design that creates new things and forms that are fun for me.

I decided to become a designer while studying design at university.

We designed traditional crafts, furniture, etc. I want to design chairs and lighting for the European market.

I'm not a legend, so I don't know how to become a legendary designer, but I think the key to becoming a good designer is to have deep curiosity about various things.

The great designers I think of are those who imagined designs that became symbols of society in each era.

I believe that universal design that is not influenced by trends or social background is really good design.

It is questionable whether everyone should invest in good design as a current concept in the future. I feel that the value of design will become more personal and emotional. It may be worth investing in such an intention.

It would take not only time but also financial resources, but I would like to spend years prototyping my best chair.

My dream is to provide designs for Scandinavian furniture brands such as FRITZ HANSEN, CARL HANSEN & SON.PP Mobler.

I don't have any special recipes or ingredients. I only have my eyes and hands.

I respect Sori Yanagi and Shiro Kuramata. I especially feel sympathy for Sori Yanagi. There are many other designers I admire, including Hans J. Wagner, Jasper Morrison, and Patricia Urquiola.

MAYDAY-designed by Konstantin Grcic for FLOS.I remember that the designer recreated the design of this lamp from an industrial lamp that was often seen at construction sites and used as a hanging or hanging lamp. MEYDAY shows that this naturally born function is also effective in everyday spaces, and I myself have fallen in love with this design as I have actually used it.

One of my designs is a plastic wall clock called the Crater Clock. A wall clock with a crater motif that allows you to feel the passage of time with its changing shadows. The prototype for the mold is produced using a wood lathe, giving it a distinctive craft-like delicate line.

Everyone knows who I am to myself, but it can be difficult to understand who I am to others.I believe that by listening to and understanding the advice of people with as much knowledge and experience as possible, you will be able to learn things that you would not realize on your own.

I think I was aiming for a sports-related job as a trainer or conditioner.

My life. I can't imagine doing anything else now. And I don't even feel like I'm working.

My clients, my university, my seniors, my friends, and my family.

For me, I feel that my experience in various sports from my youth to my school days, including baseball, swimming, skiing, track and field, rugby, and snowboarding, has been helpful. Currently I am enjoying soccer.

After graduating from university, I became a freelance designer with no clients and no work, so I had no work at all. I was at a loss while working at a restaurant.At that time, I thought I might never become a designer.

In my case, I am conscious of how I embody the client's brand identity, rather than my own self-expression.

I have projects such as the design of aroma diffusers and wood stools, and the direction of wood-based plastic products. I don't want any project to go to waste in the future.

I want to leave behind products that will be used for a long time, transcending generations.

I think people wish for something they need that cannot be expressed concretely to be realized.

I design it with the hope that it will help contribute to society, and I hope that it will do so.

In recent years, while learning how to make ceramics, I have been prototyping to bring out new uses and appeal. Although it's not really work, I'm enjoying this project.

Sinafu series is a long-running project and is my most representative design, sold not only in Japan but also in Europe and America. I am satisfied with the fact that I proposed product design from product planning with an eye on the development of the GatoMikio brand.

It depends on the content of the project. For products, I think it takes about six months to two years.

I start by gathering information related to my idea. We will organize whether the idea should be realized and the conditions for its realization.

I think my designs are based on craft elements that feel handmade. It may mean designing with the image of the product having life in it.

I think there are both. And I don't think either one is right.

I feel that the development of technology is expanding the possibilities of design. I also frequently use 3DCG and 3D printers. However, due to the influence of technology, handcraft skills are being lost, and there are aspects of this that are no longer possible.

illustrater, photoshop, fusion360,

They affect emotions and also have an impact on functionality.

I get excited and want to design something.

My current design partners are people close to me who don't know the intention or process of design. They simply decide whether it's good or bad, whether they want it or not. My family is my most frank and cruel advisors.

I feel like I've been influenced by the craftsmen I've met.

My work as a workshop advisor at the university has had a positive impact on me.
I think that consulting with students and giving them advice helped improve my skills.

I would like to hear from Sori Yanagi, Daisaku Cho, and Hans J. Wagner about their design perspectives.

I don't feel like I've become famous, but I feel like my credibility as a designer has increased.

My favorite Grayish pink, Seaside, Sushi, Autumn,,Playing Sports such as Soccer, and no favorite brand.

When I didn't have any clients, I created a special large table for an exhibition. My home at the time had narrow entrances and hallways, so I was sure the table wouldn't fit through. However, contrary to my expectations, it was just the right size. I was surprised at my own sense of not being able to exceed the size of my daily living space. From this experience, I began to focus on product design with space in mind.

I enjoy various daily experiences from a design perspective. I get more motivated when I notice something new.

I loved sports and art, but I didn't have any particular talent for it.

1000 years from now is incredibly far away for me.

I use a craft-based design approach. Craft elements not only express craft-like outlines, but also tactile three-dimensional modeling is an important element.Therefore, my design process uses that of a craft artist.
I would be happy if people could feel the shapes created from this process with their eyes and hands.

We conducts client work and self-produced work based on careful consideration of human physical and mental movements. We define the act of designing these movements as "MOVING DESIGN". We are exploring new standards that are minimal and timeless, and aim to provide tools that act on the foundations of human beings.

It is a tool for me to connect with society and people, and a way to help someone.

Although there are some fields that I am good at, I don't have likes or dislikes depending on the type of work.

I feel like there are designs that I liked more than those that weren't accepted in competitions or companies. It may be that these are not very good designs with personal opinions.

My first design for a company are wood bowl series of Sinafu for GATO MIKIO.

I feel that individuality is born when people are multiplied by materials, platforms and techniques. I enjoy facing them.

When repeating prototypes and experiments using tools and hands.

I'm focused on embodying what should be done.

Always doubting myself.

After feeling relieved, I think that there might have been a better design.

Unfortunately I've never had success so I don't know.

I care about whether there are any unnecessary elements. It's different from being simple.

My designs are often exhibited at client exhibitions, but I haven't had a personal exhibition for a long time. I want to go to Milan and Stockholm.

I take pictures of plants that interest me and collect books on nature. I also pay attention to how athletes and craftsmen use their bodies.

In Japan, there are shrines and temples in each region as well as cultural heritage. When I visit various regions of the country, I visit them regardless of whether they are famous or not. This is because I think there are hints about what is unique to Japan and what is unique to a region.

I try to have as much communication as possible with my clients, not just about the project. We believe that knowing what the client wants latently, which cannot be expressed in words, will lead to the success and continuation of the project.

We should discover and demonstrate the capabilities of companies.
I think there are many excellent designers, but I think that they have compatibility with the company, and that element is an important factor for the success of the project.

Ant chair by Arne Jacobsen , MAYDAY by Konstantin Grcic, Kartio glass(ittala) by Kaj Frank.
I have only a few design products.

It's important to take someone as a reference, but I don't think it will go well if you just imitate someone.
I feel like it's important to find a way to make the most of yourself.

My family might be offended by my habit of always looking for design cues.

I don't have a "golden rule".
It might make things easier, but it might make the design boring.

Look carefully, listen carefully and think deeply.

The application is
I mainly use Fusion360, illustrater, photoshop, etc.
For prototyping, we use woodworking and metalworking machines, laser processing machines, 3D cutting machines, and 3D printers.
I also sometimes get inspiration from illustrated plants and insect encyclopedias.

I don't have projects that require time management.

Depending on the project it may take 3 months to 1 year or even 2 years.

What can I do to become independent as a designer? I am often asked by students.

My first project was designing the Sinafu series of wooden bowls. I received the Design Plus award for thinking about the relationship between the vessel and the hand that cannot be understood just by looking at it.
This gave me a little more confidence.

Gato Mikio、HIROTA glass、Roji associates, Kosaka Shikki,etc

Unfortunately, there were some things that didn't make it into the market, but all the design work I've been involved with so far has been stimulating and fun.

I would be happy if I could design furniture for consumers.
In particular, I have always wanted to design wooden chairs.

I don't have a lot of experience working in a team, but I do support designers I'm close with.

I am currently involved in a project to launch an outdoor garage brand. My job is brand direction and product design.
We are planning to start with product development from a new perspective, focusing on cooking at camp. The first lineup will be unveiled at an exhibition in Tokyo next February.

Email(info@kenichirooomori.com) and SNS