Akira Nakagomi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Akira Nakagomi ("AN") 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?

AN : 2002　　Completed the Master Course of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Hosei University 2002-2014 Worked at TOKUJIN YOSHIOKA DESIGN 2015- Established AKIRA NAKAGOMI DESIGN

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

AN : My father was a carpenter, and watching him from an early age sparked my interest in manufacturing and design. I studied architecture at university, but when I became interested in product design, which was more familiar to me than architecture, I learned about Honey-pop, which was designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. I then decided to become a designer because I wanted to design products that would move and surprise people.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

AN : I chose to become a designer myself.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

AN : We have designed sofas, chairs, tables, flower vases, clocks, etc. We would like to design boats, automobiles, and other objects of a size that encompass people.

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

AN : Regardless of design, I think it is important to seek out and experience many moving and gratifying experiences.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

AN : We believe that a good designer is not only able to design superficially, but is also able to lead things in the direction of betterment through his/her designs.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

AN : It is not superficial, but something that improves our lives. It is also something that gives us new values, etc.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

AN : Good design enriches and calms our minds. Such a design will be used for a long time, thereby eliminating wasteful consumption.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

AN : I would like to design toys that will interest children in materials and mechanisms.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

AN : Transparent wall clock. The numbers appear only where the hands pass by the clock.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

AN : It's about loving design and continuing to design.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

AN : Tokujin Yoshioka/ Thomas Heatherwick/Olafur Eliasson

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

AN : Standard Chair(Jean Prouve) I am impressed by the structurally reasonable shape, such as the thickening of the back legs, which carry a heavy load, in the seat area, and the overall beautiful form of the chair.

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

AN : “Object”. The design of this partition is to make the image of a drip-proof partition into something that will add color to daily life.After the COVID-19 has ended, the partition will not be discarded after its role has been completed, but rather designed to become an object that will be cherished and cherished.

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

AN : I think that we should try to be sensitive to what moves us and what we think is beautiful, not only in design but in all things in life, and observe and record them.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

AN : I think I would have been a cook.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

AN : Design is not about superficial beauty, but about enriching life by approaching it from every part.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

AN : My children.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AN : Experiencing the perspectives of not only designers, but also artists and photographers at various exhibitions led to rich expression.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

AN : The hard but interesting part is not only to do a good design, but also to get people to cooperate in order to make it happen.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

AN : I think we should present the attractiveness of the work we design to reach as many people as possible、rather than asserting yourself as the designer.

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

AN : My next project is to develop products to support disaster and emergency evacuation. I would like to design products that are useful for people who need help and that can enrich their lives even in such emergency situations.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

AN : I want to design space-related products.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

AN : Things that make life better.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AN : We can not only enrich people's lives, but also help them through design.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

AN : It is the ability to output with a 3D printer in a variety of materials.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

AN : The living environment changed drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I participated in a project that tried to turn it in the right direction through the power of design. I am very happy to have received this award for the product I completed there.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

AN : Coexistence of the latest technology and traditional craftsmanship.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

AN : Designs that incorporate more technology.

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

AN : About 3 to 6 months.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

AN : Interviewing clients, as well as understanding and organizing their environment.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AN : I want to design products that make people feel emotion and richness.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

AN : I think there are both. However, I think that historical designs negate the trends of their time and show a major new way forward.And I think it will arise again as a new trend.

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

AN : I believe that technology can save time, allowing for more verification and more accurate design.

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

AN : Rhinoceros/Grasshopper/Maxwellrender

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

AN : I believe that material is structure and the greatest expression of design. Color is the essence of the design, and it also supports the user's operation.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

AN : New values and long-lasting designs

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

AN : I think about the life scenery that will be enriched by using the product and the image that the designer aimed for in designing it.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

AN : A knowledgeable and skilled manufacturer is the ideal design partner.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

AN : Children. Children's perspectives are always fresh and they see things honestly. I am reminded of many things by their questions.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

AN : Yvea Brunier landscape arcitect paysagiste

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

AN : It's about loving design and continuing to design.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

AN : It may take time, but I believe it is possible.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

AN : My favorite places are the sea, mountains and old cities. My favorite season is summer.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

AN : The fact that my child casually folded some origami, and I developed an idea and designed it.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

AN : Whenever my goals become unclear, I look at the work of my favorite designers and designers to motivate me to get closer to them.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

AN : No, I never thought I would become a designer.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

AN : We may be in a world where what people think of or photograph can be immediately reproduced and held in their hands.There may be no designers.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

AN : I will continue to design products that create new values.