| THE AWARD |
| CATEGORIES |
| REGISTRATION |
| SUBMIT YOUR WORK |
| ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
| TERMS & CONDITIONS |
| PUBLICATIONS |
| DATES & FEES |
| METHODOLOGY |
| CONTACT |
| WINNERS |
| PRESS ROOM |
| GET INVOLVED |
| DESIGN PRIZE |
| DESIGN STORE |
| THE AWARD | JURY | CATEGORIES | REGISTRATION | PRESS | WINNERS | PUBLICATIONS | ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
Metal Cup by Takanori Urata |
Home > Winners > Design #127334 >Interview |
 |
|
FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
TU: sunsetclimax is a brand I launched in 2014 and already has several lines of camping equipment. All of sunsetclimax's camping equipment is simple, elegant and beautifully designed products. I wanted to create a vessel for eating that would fit the sunsetclimax brand image, which is what inspired me to design this metal cup.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
TU: It is a combination of beauty and functionality. A seamless form of the vessel that does not collect dirt, and a detachable handle to prevent bulkiness when storing. In addition, since the vessel may be directly placed over a fire when camping, the detachable handle prevents the handle from getting hot, making it safer to handle. The vessel is made of stainless steel. The handle is made of titanium. This was done to balance the weight of the cup and handle when they are combined into one piece. We designed this metal cup in the hope that using a beautiful tool will lift the user's spirits and allow them to enjoy a pleasant camping experience.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
TU: We have already received orders for this product from China, Korea, Taiwan, and other countries as well as Japan. We hope that many more people will use this product in the future. In the future, we envision a dish tray with the same tasteful design.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
TU: About 3 years. After the design was decided to a certain extent, I searched for a craftsman who could make this cup by myself, and after much trial and error, I commercialized it.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
TU: I had the desire to include metallic tableware in the sunsetclimax product line. The customer requested it more than I did, so I decided to design it.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
TU: Only sunsetclimax. sunsetclimax's official online store is the only place to purchase our designs.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
TU: Recreational camping, which is currently popular in Japan and other Asian countries, is one of the most beneficial ways to relieve daily stress and become mentally healthy. It is one of the most beneficial ways to relieve daily stress and improve one's mental health. We believe that a good society can be realized by increasing the number of energetic people who feel refreshed and energized for tomorrow. We have a variety of tools to enjoy recreational camping, and using beautiful tools is one of the most important things we can do. I believe that the use of beautiful tools provides a high level of satisfaction to those who use them and allows them to spend a more fulfilling time. Users sometimes talk with each other around beautiful tools, and a new community is born through the tools. For example, fans and owners of Ferraris and Alfa Romeos can enjoy the company of each other's beloved cars. This is why I designed this work, paying attention to various aspects of it.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
TU: My mentor Tokujin Yoshioka's designs and his attitude towards design are very influential to me. Others include Sori Yanagi, Ingo Maurer, and architect Tadao Ando. There are many more.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
TU: Men and women from their 20s to 60s. They are people who love camping and are interested in beautiful and well-crafted products.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
TU: It is that each piece is carefully handmade. The soul of the craftsman is put into this product.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
TU: Sunsetclimax aims to be as simple and clear as possible. It is easy for users to remember. So we decided on the name "metal cup," even though it is not very interesting, because it means a very simple metal vessel.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
TU: Hand sketches, CAD, 3D modeling software, 3D planter prototype models, prototypes using actual materials, and
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
TU: It is analog, where we combine traditional and advanced technology. The body of the cup is made by traditional spatula shibori, a process in which a single sheet of metal is squeezed and formed by machine and human hands. The handle is cut by an advanced laser cutting machine, and then bent and formed by a precision bending machine.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
TU: We had many meetings with metalworkers to bring the design to a higher level.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
TU: Japanese small- and medium-scale craftsmen have very high skills, even by global standards. In order to keep such skills alive and to pass them on to the next generation, designers such as myself are involved in the design process. I hope that by having designers like me involved, craftsmen will receive orders from a variety of people and Japanese craftsmanship will thrive.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
TU: I have not been specifically influenced by any data or analytical studies.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
TU: For molding the cups, selecting the right material for a camping cup, as well as for the handles. There were also various restrictions in the molding process, so we had to solve these problems while maintaining the beauty of the product.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
TU: We believe that it is very important to increase the value of our products by winning recognition in international competitions in order to enhance 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. I applied for this project.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
TU: Every time, I am able to examine the delicate details that cannot be seen in pictures or drawings, because it is an item that touches people's hands and mouths. It made me realize again the need to design down to the invisible details, and it helped me grow as a person.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
| SOCIAL |
| + Add to Likes / Favorites | Send to My Email | Comment | View Press-Release | Translations |
