We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Tomohiro Horibe ("TH").
TOMOHIRO HORIBE is first-class licensed Architect, product designer and company president of his own building material selling company. Born in Japan 1969 and studied Architect at Tokyo Metropolitan University. First career was condominium design at construction company for 5 years. Second career was product development and product design at Log Home building company for 8 years, and lived in Vancouver of Canada 3 years at that time. During construction business career total more than 13 years, learned about building material a lot. Established Material World in 2006 that is building material selling company in Japan. Many of selling products are very unique and special item because not selling regular item, but selling original producing items. Not only product design, but also packaging design, product name, brochure design, lighting done by own. Loves recycled material, natural products, and brand new ideas.
Tomohiro Horibe Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Tomohiro Horibe.
Tomohiro Horibe Design - Brooklyn Laundreel Laundry belt indoor
Designer Interview of Tomohiro Horibe:
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?
TH : I studied architecture at university and got a job as a designer at a general contractor. Even back then, I was interested in manufacturing as a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TH : My company is called Time & Garden, and we sell original design building materials under the brand name Material World.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TH : Design is a unique way to differentiate yourself from others, a means to solve problems, and an important thing that satisfies people's hearts.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TH : I am interested in product design, which involves recycling or upcycling things that have previously been thrown away or not been put to good use, to create something new.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TH : It is my latest design, a wall material made from scrap wood from furniture and joinery factories. It is a thin, delicate and beautiful French herringbone style panel unit that can be easily installed.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TH : Switch & plug outlet cover plate, it’s called’Tokyo Jacket’. It has 2 layers Acrylic and Aluminum.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TH : Teakwood, especially recycled Teakwood.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TH : I've never been particularly conscious of it, but sometimes an idea that I've been thinking about and worrying about for a long time suddenly takes shape.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TH : Being attractive while being easy to install (functional)
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TH : I would like to create something new, something interesting, something different from others. I would say it’s Inquisitive.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TH : Like or dislike, difficult to explain.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TH : AI would create almost everything in the future. Each designer has to have their own identity which is not copied easily by AI. However it should not be selfish .
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
TH : Interiorlifestyle-tokyo 2024. We have not fixed next yet.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TH : Almost everything in my daily life. Movies, magazines, fashion, food, photography, packaging, etc..
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?
TH : Only one, unique, something new, interesting.
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?
TH : I live in Japan near Tokyo. My office is in Tokyo. Japanese customers are the most picky people in the world. Quality should be perfect always. It’s teaching me to think about not only just design but also how to make it. Also Japanese houses are so small, it should be compact and easy to install. However, it’s sometimes to much, it makes more rejection material.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TH : Time & Garden is my company, so nothing special issues.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TH : No idea. Feeling, Inspiration, sense, …
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TH : I travel often, and getting inspiration and feeling different atmospheres, and I could get so many ideas.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TH : My car, dining table, Sofa, chairs, bicycle
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
TH : Nothing special.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TH : Decide on a theme for the day and then go out, shape, color, materials, etc.. For example, if you decide today’s theme is ‘blue’, you should carefully check blue. You should check every blue items or prints or fashion, even food and so on. Then, you will realize it more deeply.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TH : AI will be more powerful and stronger than us. However AI could not copy everything. One of impossible AI can’t copy is our design process. Not only finish product, we had better to open our design process or story as our advantage.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TH : Difficult question, maybe Aesthetic sense and sensibility are important.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TH : Taking pictures a lot. Then sorting by material, colors, items, etc.. Just like Pinterest.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TH : Always struggling with this issue, not find best way…
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TH : It depends. Just few months, or few years.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
TH : Architects, Designers, contractor, house builders, developers.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TH : Using recycled materials or waist material products.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TH : Not only in Japan, but also in other countries I would like to do business.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TH : Basically by myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
TH : Contact by email, info@materialworld.jp