{"id":2990,"date":"2014-05-12T17:07:42","date_gmt":"2014-05-12T08:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/designmadeinjapan.com\/?p=2990"},"modified":"2014-06-07T21:29:11","modified_gmt":"2014-06-07T12:29:11","slug":"yuma-kano-interview-with-a-product-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/designmadeinjapan.com\/magazine\/yuma-kano-interview-with-a-product-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"Yuma Kano – Interview with a product designer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who are you?<\/h3>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

My name is Yuma Kano, and I am a freelance product designer based in Tokyo. I was born in Tochigi in 1988, became an assistant of the artist Yasuhiro Suzuki<\/a> after graduating from Tokyo Zokei University. In spring of 2012 I opened my own design office, studio yumakano<\/em>. The studio \u2014 located in a shipyard established in the Edo era \u2014 questions what daily life, emotion, and function really are through different interior, architecture, art and installation designs with a focus on product design.
\nMy design concept is to show the future just a half-step ahead by giving a new inspiration and meaning to a everyday events in the regular daily life. Eliciting a personal emotion is an important of design.<\/p>\n

Beginnings<\/h2>\n

I became assistant of an artist after graduating from college where I studied interior design.\u00a0Most of my college friends entered companies. They did not choose the way that I have chosen. I launched my design office at 23\u00a0after 1-year experience as assistant.<\/p>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

At the beginning, I went\u00a0through a rough financial spell, mainly because I did not have any clients. But looking back now, this experience was very important for me.\u00a0Obviously, the designer must fulfil client’s request.\u00a0But I was able to make thing just following my curiosity and had a lot of time to reflect on myself.<\/p>\n

Japan x Design<\/h2>\n

In my opinion, Japanese design does not speak loudly, or it`s perhaps I should say ‘silent’<\/em>.\u00a0It`s presence seems very natural as if it has been there for a long time.\u00a0We can find many products with functionality in Japanese design, but rarely find the one with experimental design.
\nThis situation results from the Japanese market where less people with openness to experimental design exist.<\/p>\n

A Discovery<\/h2>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

Ever since I was a child, my favorite color was red. However I recently realized that my favorite color had become yellow.\u00a0I still don’t know why this sort of change happened to me, but there should be mentally something important behind that.<\/p>\n

Influence<\/h2>\n

I have been very influenced by M.C. Escher<\/a> and Mr. Shigeo Fukuda<\/a>, who is a famous graphic designer and also known as the ‘Japanese Escher’<\/em>. I love the wonderful feeling when looking at their works. Actually, I am half excited and half worried.<\/p>\n

I am trying to create work that makes people feel like what I am feeling when looking at Escher\u2019s work.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What are you thinking about?<\/h2>\n

Whereas the leading-edge technology is producing new techniques and opportunities, there are vanishing technologies<\/em> behind it.\u00a0Through this situation, many craftsmen and highly qualified techniques are vanishing from the world. I had a sense of crisis about that and have been thinking what design can help to improve and better this situation.
\nFor instance, the filament bulb is disappearing with increasing use of LED bulbs. Thus, I will launch a project to hand down the technology of producing light bulbs.<\/p>\n

To hand down vanishing technology is one of the important missions of design although I celebrate new technology.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Space<\/h2>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

Literally, I have been working and living in a shipyard in Kawasaki city, just close to Tokyo.\u00a0The reason why I have chosen this place as my residence and office is existence of both ample equipment and reliable professional shipyard engineers.<\/p>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

For example when making a prototype.\u00a0Normally, prototyping should be outsourced to a manufactory, but I don\u2019t.\u00a0I am not only able to ask shipyard engineers about efficient processes of making a prototype, but also to try this process like plating, welding, and painting hands on.
\nIn addition, Kawasaki city is one of the best known industrial areas in Japan.\u00a0So, both mentally and physically I have worked in an atmosphere of making things.<\/p>\n

Tools<\/h2>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

As I mentioned above, there are plenty of tools and equipment in my atelier. Thus, I have been trying to use my hands and to think through my hands, not just thinking through my mind or using a computer.<\/p>\n

Future<\/h2>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

I am a little skeptical about the speed of production at the present rate although I celebrate leading-edge technology and design.\u00a0Due to the inordinate rate of output, current society is flooded with material and information, which causes poor judgment of the essential; of what is good or bad.
\nPerhaps, we might need to adjust speed and volume of production.<\/p>\n

Projects<\/h2>\n
\n

screw :)<\/h2>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

This is a collaborative project with Komuro Seisakusho, a screw factory in East Osaka, Japan.\u00a0Ever since its invention, the screw hasn\u2019t changed its style and function. Actually it\u2019s never needed to change at all. Screws are used everywhere but are easily overlooked. This time, I focused on them.<\/p>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n

Not only can it be used as a tool, but by adding the joy of discovery, the concept of the design is the enjoyment of sharing the joy of discovering small surprises with others. Imagine the smile on the face of a person when they discover this screw, and then imagine a place where someone would use it.<\/p>\n

\"yuma<\/p>\n