Interview with Naoki Kawamoto

We are N&R Foldings Japan Co., Ltd., an industrial design company based in Yokohama, Japan.
We are a studio that can create a wide range of designs, from fashion products to medical equipment, furniture, packaging, and art pieces.

I think of it as a task of summoning the most elegant, functional objects that should exist there from the metaphysical world into reality.

I believe that a design does not just exist as a prototype or a finished product, but is only valuable when it is manufactured, functions, and operates smoothly with durability.

I like things that are not just decorative, but whose structure reflects the characteristics and function of the material in their shape, inevitably creating beauty.
For example, I am attracted to structurally excellent bridges, large buildings, and highly specialized equipment.

The first was an inflatable tent design that created personal space.

I am very fond of and utilize metal bending, CNC machining and 3D printing technologies.

When people experience inconvenience or inefficiency in their activities, I like to think that there must be something there. Necessity is a treasure trove of ideas.

The new thing we create should have a reason to exist in this world, function as effortlessly as possible, and not become waste.
There are a huge number of factors to consider in order to achieve this. However, it is important not to neglect this. We must sincerely face the situation in front of us.

I design with excitement, imagining the joy and smiles of those who will hold it in their hands.

I savor the satisfaction of having summoned a new object into the real world.

Don't ignore constraints.
Consider them as much as possible and keep looking for ways to overcome them.
That's why all the testing and prototyping is so important.

First, I follow the feeling I get from the appearance of the item honestly.

It's about asking yourself, investigating, and trying to do as much as possible about the way things are created and the meaning of their existence.
Everything may not be perfect, but we now have the technology to connect with many people. I think it's important to avoid self-satisfaction and to collaborate as much as possible.

It may become more complex. There are certainly more things to consider. I think we will need to work together to overcome these challenges, and develop as a team.

I don't have any particular plans at the moment, but when a product I'm involved in is announced, that may be the start of a new exhibition.

I try to be interested in a wide variety of things and learn every day. The human brain combines these things at unexpected times and in unexpected combinations. I believe that the more seemingly unrelated things are, the more opportunities they contain.

I am always thinking about creating new products that will be used naturally as commonplace items for a long time by people. The Volkswagen Beetle and Sony's Walkman are good examples. I am always thinking about what the best "just right" is.

I was born and live in Japan, and I work here. Japanese culture has had a major influence on me. It influences how to create something simply from the natural world, and the profound depth of folding.

My company works on industrial design in collaboration with many companies, from high fashion brands to medical equipment manufacturers and the manufacturing sector, and our philosophy is to proactively seek out connections wherever there is a need.

I believe that good design comes from careful consideration and research of a variety of factors, not just superficial aesthetic appearance, but also how the product will be used, the feelings of those who will use it, how it will be produced, how it will be stored, and its life cycle. To achieve this, it is important to share almost all information and feelings from the early stages and to take sufficient time and process to think together. This is difficult to achieve in a short amount of time.

I research and learn everything that may be relevant, and organize the information. I spend a lot of time researching and studying. I then come up with ideas and create as many prototypes as possible, not just in appearance but also in function. I refine the design through these iterations.

Brompton folding bicycle
Sony RX100 digital camera
Wexley backpack
AMPA HI OG CVS ZIP
Herman Miller office chair

I work at night. It's not a good thing, but late at night is when I can concentrate the most. I tried a lot of things, but this is what I came up with.

Get paid to create something for someone as soon as possible. It will be easier to understand what you need to know and be able to do for someone. Self-centered design is no good.

You will learn a lot and discover the joy of creating new things. At the same time, you may feel many obstacles in reality. But the pain and joy of working single-mindedly while dreaming of a wonderful future may be the answer to that question.

Don't create trash!

The wisdom to determine the mission's collection goal.
The strength of mind and body to see it through to the end.

Powerful PCs, Adobe products, Rhinoceros, SolidWorks.
And above all else, a desire to have fun.

That's a big problem for me.
Setting a deadline is a great way to go about it. I think it works best if you break it down into several elements and set the highest possible resolution.

It depends. Sometimes it takes years, sometimes it can be done in a month.

What have you designed recently?

All of them. All of them are valuable lessons.

I often connect with people through friends of friends, so I try to post information frequently.

Doing design research in exclusive locations that only clients can enter, because you can learn a lot of new things.

I would like to design unique items in many more genres, and create them together with many other people.

I often work with people from other companies, clients, other professionals and engineers.

There are many secrets. Stay tuned!

Please contact us via social media or our website.

If there are any companies that can work with us from the development of fundamental elemental technologies to the design of the final product, please contact me.