Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa embraces an intuitive approach to design—he shares why designing long-lasting products should also be “a way of life”
One of Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa’s most famous designs is a wall-mounted CD player—a cord-operated product launched by Muji in 1999 that is still available today, even as technology marches on. Its cult appeal attests not only to the brilliance of Fukasawa’s original concept, but also the simple idea that inspired it: the designer was motivated by how Asian homeowners would similarly tug a string attached to a wall-mounted fan to turn it on.
This keen attention to human behaviour is a common thread in Fukasawa’s work; the renowned designer creates products that respond to our changing habits and lifestyles. His elegant, minimalist designs feature remarkably simple forms with intuitive features, be it a watch, tableware, sofa or even an elevator.
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To date, he has worked with dozens of leading manufacturers around the globe including B&B Italia, and also designed the interior of a fashion boutique for Japanese label Issey Miyake. He has set his sights on architecture next “because I have designed almost all the items in the house,” he quips. Here, Fukasawa tells us more about his recent projects for B&B Italia and his future plans.
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