We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Miwako Tanahashi ("MT").
I am an interior designer at Idea Interior Design Office in Tokyo, Japan. The scope of my work includes restaurant design, retail store design, and office design. I also design original furniture and lighting to suit the space. Furniture and lighting are important components of a comfortable space. The interesting thing about interior design is that it allows for a total design that includes these components as well.
Miwako Tanahashi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Miwako Tanahashi.
Miwako Tanahashi Design - Sen Lamp
Designer Interview of Miwako Tanahashi:
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?
MT : I think it was influenced by my father's work in architecture. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved drawing and making things, and I thought that if I were to make a career out of what I loved, I would have to be a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MT : We are an interior design firm located in Tokyo, Japan. I do interior design for restaurants and commercial facilities.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MT : Things that enrich our lives.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MT : I like pieces that are simple and make me feel attached to them.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MT : Carlo Scarpa, Castelvecchio, of the Old Castle He has successfully incorporated modern elements with the majesty and gravity of the castle. The incorporation of new materials and subtle, delicate teal is exquisite.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MT : Office entrance door
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MT : Wood, metal, glass
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MT : When imagining the three-dimensional from the plan
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MT : I look for simplicity, but also playfulness and affection.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MT : It's a lot of fun!
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MT : Sense of accomplishment and joy
DI: What makes a design successful?
MT : The importance of the concept, inspiration, and passion
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MT : Whether the designer's personality is well utilized
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MT : Proposals for the betterment of society and the environment, and the responsibility to promote them
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MT : While fragmentation is increasing, on the other hand, there is also a great differentiation that is all connected by technology. I believe that design will enter into people's lives in more nooks and crannies and take on greater significance.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MT : We do not hold exhibitions.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MT : Watching movies and traveling
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?
MT : A style that is simple yet soft and endearing　 Because I think that if you follow the world's trends too much, you will get bored too quickly, and the design that will be loved by people for a longer period of time is a design that is simple yet gives a sense of attachment.
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?
MT : I live in Tokyo. Among the cultural heritage of Japan, those related to architecture have a great influence on me. The advantage of Tokyo is that there are many industries in various fields. That makes the scope of design that much wider. The disadvantage is the scrap-and-build mentality of destroying and building.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MT : I am willing to cooperate generously if requested.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MT : I think it is important to clearly communicate what the company is requesting. For example, hold a competition to solicit proposals from a wide range of designers. We believe that we can select a good designer by examining the designer's personality and proposal, not based on performance.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MT : Depending on the project, I start by doing research and drawing rough sketches.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MT : Floor stand light, bedside lamp, iPad, glass cup, TV monitor
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MT : Think about and know what and why you like about the things you like.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MT : The good thing is that I can see things from different angles. The bad part is that I stick to what I like.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MT : To be less line and more selective.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MT : The ability to see and feel.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MT : Paper and pen. mac and vector works.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MT : When we design as a team, we divide the roles.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MT : 1 to 3 months
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MT : Why did you become a designer?
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MT : Restaurant owner, construction company
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MT : Stand lights, light fixtures Because they are important elements that set the mood of the space.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MT : I want to do more product design as well as interior design.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MT : Develop by myself or work in a team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MT : I have, but I will keep it to myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
MT : Email me(in English), call me (in Japanese only).