Meet FDA Finalists Hiroki Sakamoto and Mike He Ren Wei
In this six-part series, we talk to the finalists of Singapore's Furniture Design Awards 2017 about their design process
The Furniture Design Award (FDA) is an annual furniture design competition organised by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC). The Award aims to uncover budding design talents both locally and internationally and be a reputable showcase for the unique creations of the world’s best creative minds. Increasingly, FDA has become a platform for exchange and networking amongst furniture manufacturers and designers internationally.
Here are two of the 12 finalists whose entries are on display at the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show in 2017. They are vying for the Grand Award of S$20,000 in cash, plus a 12-square-metre exhibition booth to present his/her designs at the fair the following year.
Here are two of the 12 finalists whose entries are on display at the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show in 2017. They are vying for the Grand Award of S$20,000 in cash, plus a 12-square-metre exhibition booth to present his/her designs at the fair the following year.
What was the first thing that you designed that’s now in the market?
Yokan Chair will be my debut work in furniture design. However, I’ve designed other products, such as playing cards made of washi (Japanese handmade paper), which will soon be manufactured for sale.
Yokan Chair will be my debut work in furniture design. However, I’ve designed other products, such as playing cards made of washi (Japanese handmade paper), which will soon be manufactured for sale.
What’s the inspiration behind your entry for FDA?
I wanted to design a chair that makes users feel like they are sitting on air. ‘Sense of Transparency’ came to mind as the design theme. It occurred to me that Yokan, which is a Japanese traditional confection, has that transparent appearance. It was the appropriate motif for me to to realise that air-like quality.
I wanted to design a chair that makes users feel like they are sitting on air. ‘Sense of Transparency’ came to mind as the design theme. It occurred to me that Yokan, which is a Japanese traditional confection, has that transparent appearance. It was the appropriate motif for me to to realise that air-like quality.
Tell us what your creative process is like, using your FDA entry as an example.
Yokan comes in a variety of patterns and names based on the landscape and seasons. The Yokan chair is based on patterns drawn in one of the oldest Japanese sweets catalogue in from the 17th century. I didn’t simply copied those patterns but also researched the historical background of each Yokan and redesigned the landscapes that people in the past probably saw.
Yokan comes in a variety of patterns and names based on the landscape and seasons. The Yokan chair is based on patterns drawn in one of the oldest Japanese sweets catalogue in from the 17th century. I didn’t simply copied those patterns but also researched the historical background of each Yokan and redesigned the landscapes that people in the past probably saw.
FDA 2017 Finalist: Yokan Chair by Hiroki Sakamoto
Yokan is a traditional Japanese jellied confection made from azuki beans, sugar and agar-agar and comes in blocks or slices. However, it is more than just a dessert. The appearance of Yokan is mystical as it looks like coloured condensed air. That is the inspiration behind the design.
Yokan is a traditional Japanese jellied confection made from azuki beans, sugar and agar-agar and comes in blocks or slices. However, it is more than just a dessert. The appearance of Yokan is mystical as it looks like coloured condensed air. That is the inspiration behind the design.
Mike He Ren Wei
Mike He (He Ren Wei) was born in Taiwan and has a background in art and product design. He worked at Acer Computer Co. for 10 years as a product designer.
Presently, he is the founder of Pistacchi Design, which focuses on designing simple and practical lifestyle products.
How did you get into furniture design?
I mainly design digital appliances, but I have also designed a series of lifestyle products including lighting and stationery. Last year, I devoted myself to developing my own business brand, and I made my debut in furniture design by taking part in several international competitions.
Who are your heroes in the world of furniture design, and what are your inspirations?
Nendo’s Oki Sato has abundant imagination, and constantly breaks the fourth wall in design in his search for a new balance between the cognitive and conflict. This is something I have always agreed with and longed for!
Mike He (He Ren Wei) was born in Taiwan and has a background in art and product design. He worked at Acer Computer Co. for 10 years as a product designer.
Presently, he is the founder of Pistacchi Design, which focuses on designing simple and practical lifestyle products.
How did you get into furniture design?
I mainly design digital appliances, but I have also designed a series of lifestyle products including lighting and stationery. Last year, I devoted myself to developing my own business brand, and I made my debut in furniture design by taking part in several international competitions.
Who are your heroes in the world of furniture design, and what are your inspirations?
Nendo’s Oki Sato has abundant imagination, and constantly breaks the fourth wall in design in his search for a new balance between the cognitive and conflict. This is something I have always agreed with and longed for!
What was the first thing that you designed that’s now in the market?
A pencil sharpener inspired by the fairy tale Pinocchio has been in production since 2011 by US company Kikkerland. Pinocchio’s nose will only be shortened more and more.
A pencil sharpener inspired by the fairy tale Pinocchio has been in production since 2011 by US company Kikkerland. Pinocchio’s nose will only be shortened more and more.
What’s the inspiration behind your entry for FDA?
A sentence needs a comma for a break. My Comma Stool/Chair provides that break in our daily life.
Shaped like a modern sculpture in contrasting materials, this public seating is visually attractive and as you approach it, the height and comfy curved design makes it natural for you to lean on it.
A sentence needs a comma for a break. My Comma Stool/Chair provides that break in our daily life.
Shaped like a modern sculpture in contrasting materials, this public seating is visually attractive and as you approach it, the height and comfy curved design makes it natural for you to lean on it.
Tell us what your creative process is like, using your FDA entry as an example.
I usually challenge a so-called classical element, then I deconstruct it to derive a new concept and meaning. I believe that the classical element has the power to communicate with people, and by riding on this, I can engage consumers more effectively.
For this FDA design, I chose to use marble which is an enduring and timeless material.
I usually challenge a so-called classical element, then I deconstruct it to derive a new concept and meaning. I believe that the classical element has the power to communicate with people, and by riding on this, I can engage consumers more effectively.
For this FDA design, I chose to use marble which is an enduring and timeless material.
FDA 2017 Finalist: Comma Stool/Chair by Mike He Ren Wei
Mike was inspired by the study of people interacting in public spaces. He noticed that public sculptures can be functional. This public seating is visually attractive and the height and curves draw people to lean on it. Made of a stone horn material, the heavyweight seats have little chance of being misplaced. The seat is made of moulded foam with easily removable replacements, which helps prolong the lifespan. Both materials require minimal maintenance, making them suited as public furniture.
MORE
Which Design Will Win Singapore’s Furniture Design Award 2017?
Mike was inspired by the study of people interacting in public spaces. He noticed that public sculptures can be functional. This public seating is visually attractive and the height and curves draw people to lean on it. Made of a stone horn material, the heavyweight seats have little chance of being misplaced. The seat is made of moulded foam with easily removable replacements, which helps prolong the lifespan. Both materials require minimal maintenance, making them suited as public furniture.
MORE
Which Design Will Win Singapore’s Furniture Design Award 2017?
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Hiroki Sakamoto studied architecture in university. Joining the Furniture Design Award (FDA) is his first foray into furniture and product design.
How did you get into furniture design?
Even though I majored in architecture at university, my interest has always been in small scale design. Since I am currently not working in the product or furniture design industry, the FDA is great opportunity to make my debut and I am keen to hear feedback on my designs.
Who are your heroes in the world of furniture design, and what are your inspirations?
Shiro Kuramata. I respect him as his works always have both functional and ‘emotional’ parts.