Miyu Nakashima

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Miyu Nakashima ("MN") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

MN : I was born and raised in Tokyo and had my Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture and Design. From my university years, I researched the relationship between patterns and structures in Architecture and experienced the charm and wide possibilities of geometric patterns alongside Japanese parametric pattern artist Tokolo Asao. As I firmly believe that getting to know Islamic Architecture which combines basic shapes and lines to achieve geometric patterns is, in fact, going back to the design basics where a designer can build a strong foundation, in 2012, I had moved to Istanbul from Tokyo where I had already got vast experience in modern architecture. After studying the Organic pattern design of tile art which is indispensable for traditional Islamic architecture under the famous Ceramic tile artist Fatma San, I worked as a modern Islamic designer at Hassa Architecture that builds mosques and cultural centers around the world.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

MN : Even when I was a child, I was always a visual person. I used to draw almost everything that was in my mind. As a person who always thinks visually, being a designer is the best way to describe me.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

MN : Do whatever you love. Be brave, be bold!

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

MN : The BIROI collection that I was awarded. As a macro-scale architecture designer, the Biroi collection is the first micro-scale jewelry I have created. My biggest challenge was to move the elegance I am familiar with from the heights of the macro dimension to the micrometric precision of 3d printing.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

MN : As we gain experience, we naturally create a certain comfort zone. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, be open to new ideas and new technologies.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

MN : By transferring my award-winning design, Biroi Collection, into the metaverse. I plan to create a macro-scale architectural space experience from it.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

MN : The design process is really very variable. It's impossible to say anything specific. Sometimes it takes a month, sometimes a few years.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

MN : 3D printing technology is crucial to me. It allows me to overcome the constraints in the production process. With 3D printing, I can create parametric designs that can not be done with traditional production techniques, and it also speeds up the production process and saves more time for the creative process.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

MN : My most used software are Grasshopper, Rhino 3D, Photoshop, and Illustrator.