We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jun Nakano ("JN").
He is a woodworker, chair maker, furniture designer, fine woodcraft artist and Japanese "URUSHI" Lacquer artist. He continue to challenge new designs while passing on the traditional techniques of woodwork to future generations. Since he designs based on reliable production technology, he can proceed from idea to trial production and commercialization in a short time. And he can design and produce everything from small items to interiors.
Jun Nakano Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jun Nakano.
Jun Nakano Design - THA Chair
Designer Interview of Jun Nakano:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
JN : I originally studied woodworking with the goal of becoming a craft artist. I believe that craft is the artistic expression of everyday objects. This means that it is not only about production, but also about design, which inevitably requires me to be a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JN : My design studio is privately owned and operated, and I do everything from design to prototyping. I do not only design the shape of the product, but also anticipate the production process.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JN : It is an added value and functionality. I am conscious of including not only beauty but also the "reason" for the shape of the design.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JN : Furniture.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JN : Chair. Chairs offer the most design freedom of any piece of furniture and still have the potential to be innovative in design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JN : A chair with two legs.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JN : Although wood is the basic material, they do not hesitate to incorporate new technologies, including the use of metal and resin, as well as 3D printing in the prototyping stage.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JN : It is when a new technology works as imagined.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JN : Functionality. Whether the form is necessary for its function. I try not to design something that is meaningless just for the sake of beauty.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JN : I feel elated, but we do not let our emotions get the better of us and calmly consider the situation.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JN : I think that there is still something we can convey, and we use this as a driving force for the next design.
DI: What makes a design successful?
JN : I do not know yet.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JN : It is why the design is the way it is. For example, when designing a lighting fixture, we first consider what kind of shadow we want to create.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JN : Do not waste materials. Be able to make repairs and repairs. They must be reusable.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JN : While I believe that the fields in which AI can play a role will surely expand, I believe it is important not to degenerate human creativity, which AI cannot do, by relying on AI.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JN : Last time we exhibited in Tokyo, but I would consider exhibiting overseas if the opportunity arises.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JN : In recent years, I have designed a series of chair designs inspired by the silhouettes of letters. The sources of inspiration are endless, such as flowers and creatures of nature.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
JN : In chair design, the market is full of products that are just slight modifications of existing designs. I try to be conscious of creating rather than rearranging.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
JN : I live in Japan. Japan has many historical wooden structures and values harmony with nature. However, I feel that it is conservative and difficult to appreciate new things. That is why I am applying for international design awards.
DI: How do you work with companies?
JN : For patents and design rights, a license agreement is concluded.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JN : Companies tend to equate their own ideas with the designer's work and disregard the designer's design itself. Without respect for designers, better products will not be created. We also tell them that they cannot do a good job with a designer who is not confident in his or her own design.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JN : The first step in my design process is to find the problem of what I am trying to create. Then, I think about the form needed to solve the problem, and the design comes together.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JN : It is difficult to name specifics.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
JN : I do things differently every day, not stuck in a set routine. This is because I do not only design, but also do prototyping and small-scale production.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JN : It is to be interested in many things, not just design. For example, law. Copyright is an important knowledge for designers.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JN : The plus side is the possibility of preserving one's own design for future generations. The downside is that it is difficult to achieve results.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JN : I don't have a set golden rule.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JN : Intellectual curiosity.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JN : Paper and pencil. illustration software, 3DCAD, etc. are installed on the PC.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JN : The most time-consuming part is verifying the details.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JN : It runs concurrently from 1 month to 3 years.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JN : How did you come up with that?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JN : What is important to me is working with clients who trust me and entrust me with everything.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JN : I cannot name a specific client.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JN : My future plans are always changing in the future.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JN : About my award-winning design.