Toshihiko Sakai

The first time I thought about Design was in high school. At that time, I was looking at motorbikes but I did not find any that looked good for me. That was the first time I told myself that I wanted to design motorbikes, and do Design as my job. After university I was sure I wanted to do design, especially working on different products starting from the product development itself.

I founded Sakai design associates Ltd in 1992. After the economic crisis, many people lost their job, and I was one of them. Then, I spend one year in Australia. It is when I came back to Japan that I decided to open my Studio. Having a studio and doing design is a real opportunity to work on many different projects with other people, from different background and profession. This is what I also appreciate in this job.

Design is a logical thing. For me, it is a tool to make benefits to the company. It is a balance between making benefits and creating products, that are respectful of the Earth and living beings.

I like to work on different projects and work with many people. I like the balance between being able to work on the styling aspect of the creation process, and the direction, that permits me to work and discuss about the project with other people.

I like mid century or older design. I like the designs which I can feel Intelligence from, and that makes me calm.

My first design project was at the time I was working for Korg company. I had to create a small rhythm box. I really enjoyed creating, and I still do today. I think this is a happy job. Being able to work on different projects, having new challenges and meet new people everyday is a real chance.

I don't have specific material, platform or technology I prefer. I like to experiment new materials and tools. Actually, every project is different and ask for a different answer. My favorite material or technology is the one that fits the project.

I develop my creativity over a whole design process that leads to a good design. At the beginning of a project I chose a work linked to it and start to work with that word. This is how I get inspired.

Each part of a design is important: the shape, the details, etc. I focus the most on giving the best answer to the request. I try to find if the elements fit correctly the concept.

The ideal situation that makes a design successful is when the client, the users, the critics and I are satisfied.

When I am judging my projects, and be able to consider it as good, they have to fill out as much criteria as possible. A good design is the one that is the closest to the 100% intended criteria, even though it is never going to be 100%.

As I am concerned, I do not believe design can save the world, but I think as a designer, one should think about using less material as possible. One has to think about the reuse of the product and their impact on people and on the environment. I think that the best thing is to make something that people would like to keep for a long time.

Many people talk about from “solution” to “suggestion” movement. It is exciting for me too.
 I think several different design styles, area and solution move forward together and mix. Design filed will be expanded if we can fit with new field.

My last exhibition was in 2015 for the exhibition in Ginza Mitsukoshi, where I presented Ring Holder. For the moment I do not intend on doing an exhibition.

Actually, I first analyse what I have to do, what is the essence behind the project and then find a word linked to it. My inspiration comes from that word. After finding a word connected to the project, I then think about the design.

I would consider my design as logical. I am always trying to find the best answer possible with the design. My approach is to find a word that is linked to the project and then I start working with that word.

I live in Japan. Yes, I think my cultural heritage influence me. I think Japan culture is a beautiful open mind to design. Japan is a culture of doing things with a minimum. Everything is reduced. We don't really express our feelings nor we overdo things. So this is something that I really inherited from my culture. Small elements show more. What is really representative of that way of thinking are the Noh Theaters. These are theaters that always have the same scenery, which is a Japanese tree. The decor never changes, only the characters and the play express the feelings and tell the story.

The main thing about working with companies is about the vision from the concept to the design. When a project start, both sides agree on a concept, but companies don't imagine the design. Then my role is to explain how the design is connected to the concept and then make the design into the market.

Companies should care about their employees, the happiness of the user and the environment. They should not be too focused on money, otherwise it is hard to make great designs.

At the beginning of a project, I first look around, seeking for something related to the project. Then, I analyse what my client wants, and start to draw in connection with the word I chose. Then, I submit two or three propositions to my client. While showing them my designs, I explain them what is connected to the project and the character of each. Then, they choose a design and we start talking about technical issues. After that I make 3D models to show to the technicians to see the feasibility. Many people are then concerned, such as the commercials, technicians, etc. I like to continue the work by seeing the different prototypes until the final model that will be launched.

I have a container, for my bamboo Chasen, made of gourd for tea ceremony, that I find really fragile and delicate. I also like Lobmeyr glasses, a white sofa I designed, a painting of Yayoi Kusama and an English antique table.

I start working at 10:00. Then I start working, depending on projects. Sometimes I have to go to meetings, sometimes clients come to my office. I organise my days to fit the projects but also to keep time for myself and not be in a rush. Then, I stop working at 19:00. After that the time is mine.

I would recommend to young people and young designers to travel as much as they can, eat anything, make new experiences. Experiences make design.

I do not see any negative aspects of being a designer. I like my job. I can meet different kind of people, it permits me to think in many different ways and now more about new processes and factories. It is really a good job.

It is important to experience what you are going to design. If for example you have to design a tent, go camping. You cannot do a good design if you do not have the experience of it and what is all the universe attached to it. You have to watch, learn and do.

I usually use a sketchbook with squares to evaluate the size and work with good proportions. I also like to use a propelling pencil to draw in my sketchbook. For the next steps of the conception I use illustrator, photoshop, and fusion 360 for the 3D modeling.

I usually start at 10:00 and finish at 19:00. After that, the time is mine. I think that one of the most important things to manage your time, is not to forget yourself over work. Taking time for yourself improve the design quality. It can be really easy to be overloaded with work, so it is important to be able to say that you cannot do it and do not let clients put pressure on you.

It depends on the projects, but usually it takes 6 months to 1 or even 2 years for a project to be done. I like to stay in the project until the end. I am interested in the quality of the finished product.

I would say my lifestyle itself. Experience new and different things is, directly or indirectly, going to help your design. If you are stuck in a routine and don't let yourself discover new things, your design is probably going to be bad.

I worked for Kai Group, POLA, Yamaha, Guzzini, at Aroma, Fuji Iryoki and other great companies.

I really like "workshop style product development". Joining a company's team, with people from design, marketing, sales and product development departments, is really interesting. Being able to see how people can change, from a routine of conceptions towards a cohesion, and a new way of thinking, is satisfying.

I would like to be a good teacher. I would like to be a teacher who is able to make students thinks by themselves and make them create new things.

It depends on the projects. For styling projects I work alone, but for branding and product development I work as part of a team.

Basically I can’t talk about project with big companies due to contract.I recently worked on branding, including making menu, with Michelin star Chinese restaurant, which was really fun.To make a soup, and work on its taste, its packaging and graphism with a Tomato farm was also an happy project. I really liked working with food. The way of thinking is the same as product design but what you have to do is different.

You can join me by email : info@sakaidesign.com; Or by telephone : +813-6416-1030; And check my work on my website : http://sakaidesign.com/

After I Failed to join car companies, I started to work at a small product design office. In 1992, I set up my design company in Tokyo. Then, I worked with most of the Japanese Home electronics manufacturers, specialist of "future products". I also worked for Block toy company based in Denmark, and the English Tobacco company. Recently I started to work for the Branding of Orchard in Southeast Asia.

The first time I thought about Design was in high school. At that time, I was looking at motorbikes but I did not find any that looked good for me. That was the first time I told myself that I wanted to design motorbikes, and do Design as my job. After university I was sure I wanted to do design, especially working on different products starting from the product development itself.

The most important thing is that the style must feat the concept and fit to the client request. As I create products for others and not for myself, I do not think that there is something that I integrate in every project. To make the products I use both my hands and technology. The process I am using starts by thinking, then express yourself by drawing, and then use the 3D as well as prototypes. New technologies are great and help me to think differently and about new designs. Also, while creating a new project, I always experience the universe linked to the product I have to create. If you have to create a tent, go camping so that you understand what the product generates as feelings, experience and so that you can understand how it works.

I am always happy and calm. I cannot create if I am mad so I will just do something else and then go back to work to be in a good mood. The phase I am the most excited about is making the concept and styling. It is also really satisfying to see the finished prototype and be able to find the right shape for each creation. I am never bored. I like making something such as cooking or gardening. I find the same feeling in design by doing something from the beginning to the end.

Growing up in a good family, my grand-mother lived in a really beautiful and traditional Japanese house. I experienced this as my ordinary life, thus traditional features are now part of me. One of the people that influenced me back then, was one of my teachers. He told us that “If some powerful man or Authority order you to change your design, will you follow them without resisting? If so your design and concept has no meaning.” I think it was really important words because you have to stay true to yourself. He also told us that if we wanted to be a good designer, if someone in the future offered us to be a teacher we must accept it, and this is what I did.

One of the project I have in mind at the moment would be to create a resort hotel, even in a big city, thinking of everything. It does not necessarily have to be luxurious but must be a place with great food, perfect service and lots of smiles between customers and employees. Here the hostel are a little bit too formal. I would like to create more relation between people.I do not need people to remember me. As I am doing product for others, and that I do not want to show my style in products, I don't feel the need to be remembered for my own style.

Don't be serious and don't be scared of failing. Experience as much as you can.I never experienced big troubles in my career, but if I had to talk about one thing would be when clients didn't pay. I would say that one of the best ways to grow your knowledge is to keep asking questions about places, materials, history etc.

I do not particularly consider myself as truly successful, but if I could give one advice it would be to stay true to yourself. Do not do work that you do not want to do. Also, mistakes that can be common may be to follow too much the clients. If you have the feeling that the project is not going into the right direction, it is important to express it and to communicate. Don't follow them just to please them, and then just try to explain what you think.

I start working at 10:00 and finish at 19:00. Sometimes I have appointments, sometimes I just stay in my office to work. It depends on days. I do not read that much of design magazines. I do not consider my days as boring, but sometimes I like to go on Facebook to escape.

I go to shops in Tokyo because we can find pretty much of every new design and design trend. I would rather develop something on my own. But I prefer to add some “trendy shape” to create new things. The shape of it must be logical, beautiful and to wear “the time” it is made in. The trend is the shape of time. I get my inspiration only from a word, chosen in link with the project, which could explain the project as precise and beautiful.

I think a good design is easy to understand with beautiful details. It's also recognizable by heart, it is a global feeling. The mistakes to avoid would be that the product is not connected to the concept. It is simple to say, but hard to do; especially when many people work on the project.

If it is natural it means it is ready. If some details are not natural, you have to look at the product from afar and then correct them. At the end the product is 70%, or more, close to what I designed then it is good for me. I can consider it a success when many people buy it.Even if I want to do something else, I will do it on another version.

My biggest project is called COMCOM project. In a team, we had to re-think a whole home electric appliance system. We designed 20 to 30 brand new home electric appliances and its functions. It was my first time creating a product line for one company. Unfortunately, this project has never been launched, but it is still one of my most exciting project.

I love most of the designers, but I don't have any favorite one. I am more concerned about the product itself than the designer. But if I was given the chance to talk to a designer who is already gone, it would probably be Eileen Gray. I would like to hear, directly from her, her passion for design. This is not really my type, but the Katana motorbike from Suzuki is a really important design for me. This motorbike was totally different from other motorbike at the time, and I was really shocked by how the advanced configuration capabilities can change the shape. This is how I realized all the possibilities of design.

I really like Kyoto. This city is a mix of old and new things. I don't know if music influence me or not but I always have the radio turned on. I prefer radio so that I do not have to think about it. Yes, I think that my culture affects my design. Japanese culture is made of simplicity and restraint. I think this is something which is part of my way of thinking design. I do not think that the kind of design I am doing change the society. I hope to find more and more design in society, but I do not think that people care about it too much. The main thing they are looking at is the price and not so much about the rest. I hope it could change. Design is really important for me. Well made products make me feel at ease and calm.

I find it easy to work since I love my job. It depends on the projects. Sometimes I work alone, sometimes I work as part of a team. Since I choose the person I am working with, I think it is quite easy to work together because I am looking for someone that can be complementary to me. I am looking for someone that makes me excited, somebody that can bring me something, and that can create things I would never think about. One important thing about my work is that my design is logical. Thus, I can explain everything. Nothing is left to chance. The most challenging part of a project is, first of all, to be able to connect with your client and change their mind if the project doesn't seem to go on the right path. Also, time is very limited for every project so the challenge here is to make complete project within the time. And also, do your best! The main responsibility I have is to create a balance between making benefits to my clients and be respectful to the environment. If we talk about other kind of responsibilities, I do not think that we take risks as designer. Most of the risks are for the company. Our main risk would be to damage the environment, so we have to be careful about that.

I do not think that I help people with my design. I would like to be part of that, but I think this is a task for other people than me. People have big troubles in their life, so I don't think that what I am doing can help them. This is just not the aim of it. My design is not about helping people, but doing beautiful things. I think that being a teacher is a way for me to give back the community what fostered me. Sometimes I do pro bono design work. If companies are passionate but do not have enough money I try to help them as much as I can. For example, I worked on the branding of a tomato farm, but they didn't have enough money so we got paid with tomato. I think it is a good thing that people get themselves involved with humanitarian projects. But I think that in Japan we are kind of far, also by information, from the countries that could be helped. After the earthquake in the north of Japan, many people such as designer, artists, etc. try to do many things, but nothing really succeeded. So I think that, for the moment, designers cannot do so much about those kind of problematic. The most suited person, in my opinion, may be the engineers that have more knowledge. I think that there are several good designs. The ones that can be funny, beautiful, cute, etc. I have to feel something from it. To get myself involved with design invents to support young designers, I have been a jury for a competition in Hong Kong, for example, and I keep on being a teacher.

My client and I were really happy. Being on a design competition is a good way, for my client, to gain in visibility. I do not think it can launch my career since I already started a long time ago, but this is always a happy feeling to see your work being praised and see that people believe in the quality of your design. I think that competitions are really a good opportunity for young designers to make them believe in themselves. I remember my first award, it was really a great feeling.