Interview with Takanori Urata

Takanori Urata ("TU") interviewed on Wednesday, 14 June.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

TU : Let me tell you about my background. When I was in junior high school, I first decided that I wanted to be a designer and entered a high school specializing in design. After graduating from the Kuwasawa Design School, a well-known design school in Japan, I started working for a design and construction company that dealt mainly with commercial facilities. After working there for about six years, I joined the office of Tokujin Yoshioka, a world-renowned designer. I worked at Yoshioka's office for about 10 years and participated in various domestic and international projects as a person in charge, such as for Issey Miyake, Swarovski, and Cartier. It was a very valuable experience for me. After that, I became independent and set up my own design studio. It has been about 10 years since I set up my own studio. The award-winning product, the cup brand sunsetclimax, was launched in 2014. sunsetclimax is also my own brand. sunsetclimax is also my company. We plan, design, manufacture and sell beautifully designed camping equipment in Japan.

How did you become a designer?

TU : My father was a joiner and now works in the construction industry, and because of the influence of woodworking at home at the time, making things was one of my favorite pastimes from an early age. I also loved drawing pictures. When I was in junior high school, my older sister told me about the profession of a designer, and I decided for the first time that I wanted to be a designer, so I entered a high school specializing in design. After graduating from high school, I went on to study design at the Kuwasawa Design School, a well-known design school in Japan. What motivated me to become a designer was the fun and curiosity of seeing my ideas become reality. It is a pure feeling. Now, as a designer, I hope that the world will be cheered up a little by seeing the things and architecture I have designed. Through my designs, I am working with a sense of mission to contribute to the development of manufacturing technology in small and medium-sized Japanese companies and to improve society.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

TU : Process 1: Hand sketches, validation with mock-up models by your own hands. Process 2: More precise verification by CAD or 3D modeling, verification of texture and lighting by rendering software. Process 3: We ask craftsmen and factories to make prototypes using actual materials, adjust manufacturing constraints, and make changes to enhance the system. Even after the product is completed and delivered to the user, we actively listen to the user's opinions and make fine adjustments.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

TU : When I am designing, feelings of elation coexist with feelings of uncertainty as to whether I will be able to realize the project. I really like the right amount of tension. I am very happy every time when I am going through trial and error with the client, the construction company, and the craftsmen to complete the project.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

TU : I believe it is the education I received from my parents. They were born near the end of World War II and lived through a difficult time as Japan rebuilt. We are able to live happily in Japan today only because our predecessors, including my parents, struggled hard to rebuild Japan. My parents gave me an education that was sometimes very strict, sometimes gentle, and very loving. As a result, I developed a strong mentality. They talked to me many times about what a person should be and how to live for the society and for Japan. I think it is very important for individuals to always think about what they can do for everyone, not only for designers but for people in any profession. It is important to make the world a better place by making the most of each individual's strengths, and to continue to do so.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

TU : I run two companies, TAKANORI URATA DESIGN INC. which mainly deals with architecture and interior design, and sunsetclimax, a brand of camping equipment. As for my dreams for both companies, for example, I would like to design and operate my own campsites. The campground would have architecture that I designed myself and a beautiful landscape design. I would also like to see users of our products enjoying themselves there. I would also like to grow safe, pesticide-free rice and vegetables, and enjoy delicious, safe food. My dreams are endless.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

TU : I recommend experiencing a wide range of work and play, including jobs you don't like, while you are young. Many experiences will shape a person. Studying by reading books is important, but it is also necessary to actually go out into the field and experience interacting with people. When I was in my 20s, I gained experience in construction management and cost estimating at the company I worked for. To be honest, it was not my favorite job because it was different from design work. However, I was able to grasp the flow of a project as a whole, which is a very important skill for me. In my opinion, a designer needs to know not only how to design, but also how the whole process of designing comes to fruition.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

TU : I don't consider myself successful at all, and I am proud to say that I am developing every day. What I always try to do is to think from different people's point of view: designers, clients, users, etc. I think it is important to think from the point of view of many different people. Would this be helpful to you?

What is your day to day look like?

TU : In my mind, work, play, and life are all connected to my design. I can do this because I love being involved in design with all my heart. One thing I value is to exercise moderately and eat a healthy diet. Being sound in mind and body is more important than anything else. Because design comes from me.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

TU : To be honest, I am not interested in trends at all. I like long-life designs that are simple but loved for many years, and I aim to be a designer who can create such designs. And I want to aim to create products that are filled with the spirit of craftsmanship.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

TU : Functionality is important to me. I am not interested in designs that are beautiful only in appearance. I consider a design that combines functional beauty to be good.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

TU : I honestly don't think it's ever finished. Even after the product reaches the user, we listen to various interviews and are constantly making improvements. It's a lot of work, but that's the real thrill of it. Design is never ending.

What is your biggest design work?

TU : My first design for my brand, sunsetclimax, is the Tarp. It is a tarp that is used as a shelter from the sun or rain when camping, but usually people can gather under the tarp to enjoy meals and conversation, just like in a living room at home. The tarp is made of various materials that I negotiated and purchased from textile companies and local factories, and is fully functional as a tarp (water resistance, UV shielding), environmentally friendly, and beautiful. It is a beautiful tarp. It is a product with such an appeal that when the tarp is set up in nature, the air around it changes completely, and it already has a large number of fans. We believe that we have been able to contribute to the fulfilling camping life of our users, albeit only a little. Of course, we will continue to do so in the future.

Who is your favourite designer?

TU : My mentor, Tokujin Yoshioka, is in my opinion the coolest designer as a fan. If I had to name one designer who has passed away, it would be Ingo Maurer, who passed away in recent years. The reason is that Ingo Maurer's designs are fun and without logic, in contrast to the simple and functional beauty of design that I aim for, and have a unique worldview that no one else can imitate. I admire it very much because it is something I do not have.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

TU : My favorite city is Tokyo. It is a very complex and unique city with many different features in one city called Tokyo. To be honest, I don't think the cityscape is very beautiful. The area around Tokyo Station has become more beautiful in recent years. I like music, I like listening to music, but I also play guitar and drums by myself. I also play guitar and drums by myself. I used to play in a group when I was a student. I love music. My office is in Tokyo. In Japan, there are many things that look rustic but are made of carefully selected materials, simple and elegant, and I feel that there are many good examples for my designs. I am currently working on several architectural and interior design projects, as well as developing new products for sunsetclimax (tents, etc.).

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

TU : I basically work alone, but my wife provides support. For the time being, I do not plan to recruit staff. If I were to hire someone, what I would want is for that person to always work in a positive manner. In reality, it can be hard and difficult, but it is important to understand what the company (and the designer, who is the president of the company) is trying to achieve and to be involved in the work.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

TU : Instead of directly addressing or pushing social and environmental issues, do you try to combine good design with social and environmental issues in a tasteful way? I believe it is the responsibility of designers to realize solutions to social and environmental problems without imposition. My power alone is very small, but it is important for each of us to work together.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

TU : We believe that it is very important to enhance the value of our products by gaining recognition in international competitions in order to increase user satisfaction. In the past, we have entered other projects in design competitions in Japan, Germany, the U.S., and Asia, and have received several awards, but we thought it would be more valuable to receive recognition in a design competition in Italy, a country with many beautiful designs. That is why we applied for the competition. Every time I enter an international competition, excellent designs are chosen, which is a great learning experience and motivates me to do my best again. I am very honored to have been selected as Designer of the Day. I am not satisfied with the status quo and want to grow every day.

Takanori Urata Profile