Product: Fukasawa Monograph by Phaidon
Price: $70
Rating: Strong Recommend*
(This is from our guest tester, Naoto O., who won this book with her great comment in this post. Thanks, Naoto!)
Short version:
"...Theres no better access to his work than this remarkable book. I highly recommend it for anyone loves truly great design."
Long version:
"I remember when I first saw the CD player Naoto Fukusawa designed for MUJI in 1999. I was shocked by its pure simplicity, and how natural it felt. It got to the core of a music players purpose and made me completely rethink what a CD player can be..."
"Finally, I thought, someone who really thinks differently, who brings the Japanese sense of design to another level. Whoever designed it was able to bring out its music even when it was turned off and, as a result, brought out its beauty in a way Ive always wanted to see someone do. At that time I had no idea who Naoto was, but MUJI became my favorite company, mainly because of his designs. Back home in New York, I wasnt surprised to see it had become part of MOMAs permanent collection.
This book goes through his extensive portfolio of designs hes created for companies like SEIKO, HITACHI, ISSEY MIYAKE, BOFFI, B&B ITALIA, and many others. Reading his thoughts on where his ideas come from and what he feels matters most not only gave me great insight to his work, but it also helped me understand why Ive always reacted to his work so strongly, why it lingers with me.
His process goes deep into what seems like a dissection of how the human subconscious might feel or remember about a particular item and expands from there. Whether its a CD player or a humidifier, Naoto brings a unique, yet comforting impression to each piece in a way Ive never seen from another product designer.
Naoto Fukusawa Design was established in 2003, and he continues to make inspiring designs today. He also set up +- 0 (plusminuszero), a home appliance brand in Japan where he gets to design for the best client anyone can have: themselves.
Luckily for New Yorkers, MUJI is opening their first U.S. store here at the end of 2007. Muji (meaning no brand in Japanese) is any clean-simple-smart design lovers dream store. Finally well be able to easily find Naotos incredible productsuse them without a converter! Until then, though, theres no better access to his work than this remarkable book.
I highly recommend it for anyone loves truly great design."
- Naoto O. (an AT reader and volunteer tester)
ps. I was lucky enough to receive a print of NAOTO FUKUSAWAs book from Apartment Therapy. The catch was I had to write a review, which wouldnt be an issue except for the fact that Im not a writer. I do love design though, and have admired his work for years, so hopefully that will be enough to let me do this book justice.
*Our Ratings:
Strong Recommend
Recommend
Weak Recommend
Don't Recommend
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
I've got another Japanese-blow-your-mind moment. My friend Kelly Lasser is, right now, at a Tadao Ando designed art island with site-specific projects.
http://www.naoshima-is.co.jp/english/index.html now.
So beautiful.
S
view Cracker's profile
I like the Tin Tin figurine. Herge rocks!
view DesignHole's profile
Tadao Ando's understanding of concrete almost equals his understanding of light. It is very exciting stuff....heady!
view Cate's profile