Tokyo 09: designer Tokujin Yoshioka talks about being a pioneer in this short interview commissioned for the Tokyo Designers Week official guide, produced by Dezeen.

Tokujin Yoshioka - It’s my job as a designer to be a pioneer

“Recycling is not the solution – we need to find ways to stop consuming energy altogether. I’m experimenting with materials and production techniques that have never been seen before, which I hope to show in Milan next year. It’s my job as a designer to be a pioneer.

At the beginning of my career, form was most important to me, but now I care most about human emotions. I like to give people a sense of elation. I have just designed a Camper store in London, featuring a wall covered in folded artificial suede, like blossom. It’s a very positive space and each petal is different, which gives it an ever-changing expression. Senses and emotions are things that can be designed.

I don’t set out to mimic nature; it happens unconsciously. I have an exhibition coming up in Tokyo in 2010 where I’ll be addressing it more directly. I’m also experimenting with crystal again. It’s fascinating the way its facetted surface reflects the light, which creates very energetic and dynamic pieces.

I live and work in Daikanyama-cho, in Shibuya-ku. I created my studio – once my home – out of an old rice warehouse transported from outside Tokyo. I combined the wooden structure, which is 150 years old, with new materials because I like the contrast between old and new. Things with heritage are so interesting because I can’t design them. It’s fascinating to contrast these with new technologies, which make the impossible possible.”

Tokujin Yoshioka runs his own studio Tokujin Yoshioka Design.

Photography by Phil Fisk
Art direction by Micha Weidmann
Interview by Malaika Byng

This interview is taken from the official Tokyo Designers Week guide, produced by Dezeen and art directed by Micha Weidmann.

More interviews in this series:

Max lamb
Tom Dixon
Arik Levy
Ilse Crawford
Matthew Hilton
Shigeru Ban

See all our stories about Tokyo Designers Week in our special category.

More about Tokujin Yoshioka on Dezeen in our special category.

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Tokujin Yoshioka appeared first on Dezeen.

Young Japanese designer Shizuka Tatsuno has designed an upholstered bench that can be converted into a chaise longue or an armchair and side table.

Designed for single-occupant living, Modular Bench can be reconfigured by moving upholstered elements that slot into holes in the base.

Tatsuno exhibited the bench at 100% Design Tokyo in November.

Here's some text from the designer:

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Shizuka Tatsuno is a product and furniture designer who moved to the UK in 2005 and graduated with the first class honor from the product and furniture course in Kingston University London in 2008. She exhibited in New Designers Exhibition, Tent London and 100% Design Tokyo Prototype in 2008 and is currently based in Tokyo.

Products revealing quality from using over time

Modular Bench is a modular seating unit for a live-alone. The bench can be changed to an arm chair with a small table, and a couch by sticking the arms and back in different holes and transforming the cushion.

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UK designer Michael Sodeau and Japanese company Suikosha have produced a stationery range called Anything.

Manufactured in black, white, orange and yellow, the stationery range includes scissors, a stapler, tape dispenser, geometry equipment, alarm clock and set of erasers.

The collection was exhibited at Design Tide in Tokyo last November.

The following information is from Suikosha:

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ANYTHING is a collaboration between UK designer Michael Sodeau and Japanese company Suikosha.

Together they have produced their first collection of products, which sees its international debut in London.

Two years in development, and the first phase of an ongoing project shows the collaborators' vision of practical and functional stationery design.

Further additions are planned for the stationery collection after which they plan to specialise in... ANYTHING.

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Icelandic designer Róshildur Jónsdóttir has designed a toy construction kit that uses fish bones as components.

The kit includes discarded fish bones, glue and paint.

Róshildur presented the project, called Something Fishy, at 100% Design Tokyo in November.

Here's some text from Jónsdóttir:

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Something Fishy

Something fishy is a model making kit for adults and children where a creative imagination is the key. You can glue the fishbones together in any way you imagine and create anything from angels to spaceships, monsters and goblins. I find the best way to create a figure is to pick up one bone and look at it from every angle and before you know it you will see an image, for example an elephants head an angels wing or a monsters foot. You will then find it quite easy to find the rest of the bones which will finalize your imagined creature.!

I created this product when I had been researching the use of Icelandic animal products in design through the ages. My ancestors used to use every part of the animal for food, clothing, household items, farming tools, toys and even building material. Each of these products took a lot of imagination, time and nurturing and was thus used to the fullest and even passed from generation to generation.

We now throw away tonns of bones, hides, horns and other side products of fish and meat. Today most of our everyday imported objects have very little sentimental value to us and in general we have way too many of these items. This is very true of toys, most of which are plastic imitations of everyday items which leave very little to the child's imagination or creativity. This means that they don't appreciate each toy for very long and we buy even more.

As soon as we create our own things which take time and nurturing we immediately feel differently about them. We don't throw them in a box with all the other goods, we display them and feel proud of them. I hope I have created something which will help us to remember that we can create our own products from local materials and that we might be happier with fewer but better objects in our lives. Lets not forget our creative side.

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Here is a selection of photos by Luke Hayes of Tokyo Designers Week 2008, which runs until tomorrow at Meiji Jingu Gaien in Tokyo.

The event includes 100% Design Tokyo, Container Ground (above and below) and various other shows.

Below: Love Button by Tokyo Designers Week 2008 creative director Michael Young, at the entrance to the show.

Below: 100% Chair and Light

Below: Regza bar designed by Katrin Olina

Below: 100% Design Tokyo

Below: Container Ground

Below: Container Ground

Below: 100% Chair and Light

Below: Container Ground

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