Kenichiro Oomori

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kenichiro Oomori ("KO") 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?

KO : The Department of Design, College of Art, Nihon University, which I graduated from, uses the Bauhaus educational philosophy and methods, and I believe this is one of the bases of my design.

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

KO : My motivation is the moment when I can realize that there are people who are happy with the design that creates new things and forms that are fun for me.

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

KO : I decided to become a designer while studying design at university.

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

KO : We designed traditional crafts, furniture, etc. I want to design chairs and lighting for the European market.

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

KO : I'm not a legend, so I don't know how to become a legendary designer, but I think the key to becoming a good designer is to have deep curiosity about various things.

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

KO : The great designers I think of are those who imagined designs that became symbols of society in each era.

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

KO : I believe that universal design that is not influenced by trends or social background is really good design.

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

KO : It is questionable whether everyone should invest in good design as a current concept in the future. I feel that the value of design will become more personal and emotional. It may be worth investing in such an intention.

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

KO : It would take not only time but also financial resources, but I would like to spend years prototyping my best chair.

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

KO : My dream is to provide designs for Scandinavian furniture brands such as FRITZ HANSEN, CARL HANSEN & SON.PP Mobler.

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

KO : I don't have any special recipes or ingredients. I only have my eyes and hands.

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

KO : I respect Sori Yanagi and Shiro Kuramata. I especially feel sympathy for Sori Yanagi. There are many other designers I admire, including Hans J. Wagner, Jasper Morrison, and Patricia Urquiola.

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

KO : MAYDAY-designed by Konstantin Grcic for FLOS.I remember that the designer recreated the design of this lamp from an industrial lamp that was often seen at construction sites and used as a hanging or hanging lamp. MEYDAY shows that this naturally born function is also effective in everyday spaces, and I myself have fallen in love with this design as I have actually used it.

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

KO : One of my designs is a plastic wall clock called the Crater Clock. A wall clock with a crater motif that allows you to feel the passage of time with its changing shadows. The prototype for the mold is produced using a wood lathe, giving it a distinctive craft-like delicate line.

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

KO : Everyone knows who I am to myself, but it can be difficult to understand who I am to others.I believe that by listening to and understanding the advice of people with as much knowledge and experience as possible, you will be able to learn things that you would not realize on your own.

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

KO : I think I was aiming for a sports-related job as a trainer or conditioner.

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

KO : My life. I can't imagine doing anything else now. And I don't even feel like I'm working.

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

KO : My clients, my university, my seniors, my friends, and my family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KO : For me, I feel that my experience in various sports from my youth to my school days, including baseball, swimming, skiing, track and field, rugby, and snowboarding, has been helpful. Currently I am enjoying soccer.

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

KO : After graduating from university, I became a freelance designer with no clients and no work, so I had no work at all. I was at a loss while working at a restaurant.At that time, I thought I might never become a designer.

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

KO : In my case, I am conscious of how I embody the client's brand identity, rather than my own self-expression.

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

KO : I have projects such as the design of aroma diffusers and wood stools, and the direction of wood-based plastic products. I don't want any project to go to waste in the future.

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

KO : I want to leave behind products that will be used for a long time, transcending generations.

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

KO : I think people wish for something they need that cannot be expressed concretely to be realized.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KO : I design it with the hope that it will help contribute to society, and I hope that it will do so.

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

KO : In recent years, while learning how to make ceramics, I have been prototyping to bring out new uses and appeal. Although it's not really work, I'm enjoying this project.

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

KO : Sinafu series is a long-running project and is my most representative design, sold not only in Japan but also in Europe and America. I am satisfied with the fact that I proposed product design from product planning with an eye on the development of the GatoMikio brand.

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

KO : It depends on the content of the project. For products, I think it takes about six months to two years.

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

KO : I start by gathering information related to my idea. We will organize whether the idea should be realized and the conditions for its realization.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KO : I think my designs are based on craft elements that feel handmade. It may mean designing with the image of the product having life in it.

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

KO : I think there are both. And I don't think either one is right.

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

KO : I feel that the development of technology is expanding the possibilities of design. I also frequently use 3DCG and 3D printers. However, due to the influence of technology, handcraft skills are being lost, and there are aspects of this that are no longer possible.

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

KO : illustrater, photoshop, fusion360,

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

KO : They affect emotions and also have an impact on functionality.

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

KO : I get excited and want to design something.

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

KO : My current design partners are people close to me who don't know the intention or process of design. They simply decide whether it's good or bad, whether they want it or not. My family is my most frank and cruel advisors.

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

KO : I feel like I've been influenced by the craftsmen I've met.

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

KO : My work as a workshop advisor at the university has had a positive impact on me. I think that consulting with students and giving them advice helped improve my skills.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

KO : I would like to hear from Sori Yanagi, Daisaku Cho, and Hans J. Wagner about their design perspectives.

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

KO : I don't feel like I've become famous, but I feel like my credibility as a designer has increased.

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

KO : My favorite Grayish pink, Seaside, Sushi, Autumn,,Playing Sports such as Soccer, and no favorite brand.

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

KO : When I didn't have any clients, I created a special large table for an exhibition. My home at the time had narrow entrances and hallways, so I was sure the table wouldn't fit through. However, contrary to my expectations, it was just the right size. I was surprised at my own sense of not being able to exceed the size of my daily living space. From this experience, I began to focus on product design with space in mind.

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

KO : I enjoy various daily experiences from a design perspective. I get more motivated when I notice something new.

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

KO : I loved sports and art, but I didn't have any particular talent for it.

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

KO : 1000 years from now is incredibly far away for me.

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

KO : I use a craft-based design approach. Craft elements not only express craft-like outlines, but also tactile three-dimensional modeling is an important element.Therefore, my design process uses that of a craft artist. I would be happy if people could feel the shapes created from this process with their eyes and hands.