Designer
Kazushige Miyake
Japanese designer Kazushige Miyake (b. 1973) graduated from Tama Art University in Tokyo with a specialization in design. He then began his career as a product designer in Great Britain before returning to Japan in 1999.
In 2005, he founded his own design studio. Today, Miyake Design is synonymous with clear and functional product design, from lounge chairs to suitcases, always with the discerning consumer in mind. Miyake favors simplicity and straightforwardness in his designs, and believes that every object has its own form.
This form is not limited to its physical presence, but also includes the aura or atmosphere that surrounds the object and its effect on those who use it.
Kazushige Miyake has received a number of prestigious design awards, including the iF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award and the Good Design Award. Today, he is a member of the evaluation committees for both the Good Design Award and the iF Design Award.
THE INTERVIEW
You worked in the UK before returning to Japan. How did this international experience influence your design philosophy?
"Living in the UK had a significant influence on the way I view design. During my time there, I had the opportunity to interact with people from various countries, allowing me to experience cultural differences firsthand as well as discover the commonalities we share as human beings. This experience deepened my understanding of different values and sensitivities, leading to me having a greater awareness of the diversity in design and striving for more universal expressions.
Design is a profession that speaks to human sensibilities and requires the designer to consider how to create designs that resonate with people from different cultural backgrounds and values. Being immersed in an international environment in the UK provided me with more opportunities to think about what makes a design not only "beautiful" but also relatable to a wider audience. I feel that this experience continues to benefit my work now that I have returned to Japan."
Is there an everyday object that you would like to redesign?
"There are many things I’d like to redesign.
Society today is becoming more efficient, and convenient services such as subscriptions and rentals have increased, leading people to move away from the idea of ownership. That’s why I want to design the joy of owning things and the attachment that comes with possession.
The happiness of living with cherished objects enriches our lives. I believe that passing down this culture is one of the essential roles of design."
Is there a tradition or aesthetic in Japanese culture that has particularly influenced your work?
"When I design, I don’t consciously think about Japan. Instead, I focus on what makes people feel comfortable and what they find to be of value. Since I grew up in Japan and live within its culture, I am undoubtedly unconsciously influenced by it, and perhaps this is naturally reflected in my designs."
You have already won many prizes - is there an award or recognition that means a lot to you?
"I have received many design awards so far, and I feel honored by each of them, as they all hold their own unique value. Receiving a design award is proof that the design has been recognized and appreciated. But I don’t create designs to win awards; the awards are simply the result of my work being valued.
What truly matters to me is how much a design can contribute to making people's lives and society more comfortable, how it can improve their lives."
Is there a future project or product category you would like to try your skills in, which you have not yet tried out?
"If I had to say, I would like to work more on furniture design. My goal isn’t just to take on new challenges, but to grow together with the manufacturers I work with. I want to collaborate with them to identify what they need for future growth and create great designs together."
With blomus, you have worked on products such as the KUON furniture series. What was the creative process like working with blomus and what inspired you to create these specific designs?
"The design of the KUON furniture series was developed through close online communication with Charlotte. Despite the physical distance between Japan and Europe, we made sure to maintain the quality of the design by enhancing the accuracy of renderings, clearly illustrating revisions, and paying close attention to even the smallest details.
The key to bringing this design to life was, without a doubt, the collaboration with Charlotte and the blomus team. By exchanging ideas and working together, we were able to achieve a better design."
Is there a philosophy or life principle that guides your work?
"My guiding philosophy in work is to achieve a balance between "the appeal of first impressions" and "ease of use."
When I purchase something as a customer, I don’t overthink it—I decide based on whether I instinctively feel "this is nice" at first glance. Then, as I use it, I gradually come to appreciate its other qualities beyond its appearance. I aim to create products that offer this kind of experience.
When designing, I always consider myself as the first customer. I prioritize creating things that genuinely have me feeling, "I want this."."
EXCLUSIVE DESIGN BY KAZUSHIGE MIYAKE
