We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Kenichiro Oomori ("KO").
KENICHIRO OOMORI MOVING DESIGN is a design studio that mainly provides product design and design consulting. The concept is to consider the movement of the human body and move the mind. We call it "MOVING DESIGN". Based on this philosophy, we provide design services for clients such as traditional crafts, furniture, and daily necessities. We conduct client work and self-produced work based on careful consideration of human physical and mental movements. We define the act of designing these movements as "MOVING DESIGN". We are exploring new standards that are minimal and timeless, and aim to provide tools that act on the foundations of human beings. My design method focuses on physical movement and sensation as well as convenience in the pursuit of product form. As a result, I believe that the products I design give a sense of humanity without being inorganic. In the midst of the increasing number of simple and inorganic shapes, I believe that my products are a little different.
Kenichiro Oomori Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Kenichiro Oomori.
Kenichiro Oomori Design - Sinafu Stand Compote Dish
Designer Interview of Kenichiro Oomori:
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?
KO : When I thought about going to college, I chose to go to an art college because I was better at drawing and crafting than studying. At that time, I didn't even know that there was a job as a designer. I remember that I chose the design department because I felt that I could not become an artist such as a painter or a sculptor.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KO : We conducts client work and self-produced work based on careful consideration of human physical and mental movements. We define the act of designing these movements as "MOVING DESIGN". We are exploring new standards that are minimal and timeless, and aim to provide tools that act on the foundations of human beings.
DI: What is "design" for you?
KO : It is a tool for me to connect with society and people, and a way to help someone.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KO : Although there are some fields that I am good at, I don't have likes or dislikes depending on the type of work.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KO : I feel like there are designs that I liked more than those that weren't accepted in competitions or companies. It may be that these are not very good designs with personal opinions.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KO : My first design for a company are wood bowl series of Sinafu for GATO MIKIO.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KO : I feel that individuality is born when people are multiplied by materials, platforms and techniques. I enjoy facing them.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
KO : When repeating prototypes and experiments using tools and hands.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KO : I'm focused on embodying what should be done.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KO : Always doubting myself.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KO : After feeling relieved, I think that there might have been a better design.
DI: What makes a design successful?
KO : Unfortunately I've never had success so I don't know.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KO : I care about whether there are any unnecessary elements. It's different from being simple.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KO : My designs are often exhibited at client exhibitions, but I haven't had a personal exhibition for a long time. I want to go to Milan and Stockholm.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KO : I take pictures of plants that interest me and collect books on nature. I also pay attention to how athletes and craftsmen use their bodies.
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?
KO : In Japan, there are shrines and temples in each region as well as cultural heritage. When I visit various regions of the country, I visit them regardless of whether they are famous or not. This is because I think there are hints about what is unique to Japan and what is unique to a region.
DI: How do you work with companies?
KO : I try to have as much communication as possible with my clients, not just about the project. We believe that knowing what the client wants latently, which cannot be expressed in words, will lead to the success and continuation of the project.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
KO : We should discover and demonstrate the capabilities of companies. I think there are many excellent designers, but I think that they have compatibility with the company, and that element is an important factor for the success of the project.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KO : Ant chair by Arne Jacobsen , MAYDAY by Konstantin Grcic, Kartio glass(ittala) by Kaj Frank. I have only a few design products.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
KO : It's important to take someone as a reference, but I don't think it will go well if you just imitate someone. I feel like it's important to find a way to make the most of yourself.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
KO : My family might be offended by my habit of always looking for design cues.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
KO : I don't have a "golden rule". It might make things easier, but it might make the design boring.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
KO : Look carefully, listen carefully and think deeply.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KO : The application is I mainly use Fusion360, illustrater, photoshop, etc. For prototyping, we use woodworking and metalworking machines, laser processing machines, 3D cutting machines, and 3D printers. I also sometimes get inspiration from illustrated plants and insect encyclopedias.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
KO : I don't have projects that require time management.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
KO : Depending on the project it may take 3 months to 1 year or even 2 years.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
KO : What can I do to become independent as a designer? I am often asked by students.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
KO : My first project was designing the Sinafu series of wooden bowls. I received the Design Plus award for thinking about the relationship between the vessel and the hand that cannot be understood just by looking at it. This gave me a little more confidence.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
KO : Gato Mikio、HIROTA glass、Roji associates, Kosaka Shikki,etc
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
KO : Unfortunately, there were some things that didn't make it into the market, but all the design work I've been involved with so far has been stimulating and fun.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
KO : I would be happy if I could design furniture for consumers. In particular, I have always wanted to design wooden chairs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KO : I don't have a lot of experience working in a team, but I do support designers I'm close with.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
KO : I am currently involved in a project to launch an outdoor garage brand. My job is brand direction and product design. We are planning to start with product development from a new perspective, focusing on cooking at camp. The first lineup will be unveiled at an exhibition in Tokyo next February.
DI: How can people contact you?
KO : Email(info@kenichirooomori.com) and SNS