Interview with Marie Uno
Marie has a background in applied physics, which affects her unique geometric design with ellegance. As a scientist she has been awarded a global innovation award at General Electric regarding her…
Designer Interview
26 April 2017
My major is physics, and I was involved in the design of time-modulating magnetic field at GE. I have been in the aesthetic design field for 3 years now, and my designs are essential and logical rather than decorative which reflects my background of theoretical physics.
Our company is called Monogoto, which is a design and strategy firm located in Portland, Oregon. The founder is the inventor of USB flash memory that everyone uses today, and has served as the Strategic Director at Ziba design for a long time.
Projection of information to human emotion and recognition.
Anything from products to software code and business.
There are many beautiful designs in nature.
Intuitive toy blocks called KUUM.
Things that are simple.
When I come up with something I have not seen before.
Meanings.
I feel focused.
I feel surprised.
When it represents something that nothing else does.
If it strikes you or not.
Interpretation of things to people.
It is even more democratized, and will prevail via internet.
The last exhibition was in New York. The next one can be anywhere.
Physical phenomena, such as phase transition and optical interference.
I try to extract the essence.
I live in Portland, OR, USA. I am originally from Japan, and my design is affected by the rich nature of Japan.
We have many clients mainly in Japan, and we travel back and forth between US and Japan.
It is whether you believe the process or the person him/herself.
I don't have an established process yet.
Stones, plants, books, windows, and doors.
Pretty busy using my logical side of brain.
Just do whatever you want. A lack of ability can in fact be your advantage.
It can make you a small person if you stick to your ego when designing, but if you try to express something beyond yourself instead, you can be humble.
There is no golden rule.
Broad study.
Nothing special, I use softwares that anyone else uses.
I spend as much time as possible.
It depends on project and the scope.
They ask me why I do aesthetic design in spite of my background in science :-) To me they are similar in the sense that they are both beautiful.
Development of MRI.
Multinationals such as SONY and Panasonic.
Minimal and symbolic, but impactful design.
Business design and fine art.
Sometimes as a team, but most of the time I work on my own.
Find me on SNS.
Nothing special!