We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Takanori Urata about their original and creative Cup design work. Takanori Urata is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original cup works.
Takanori Urata ("TU") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Sakura Cup. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
TU : I am the designer and president of a camping gear brand called sunsetclimax, and I created this cup as one of the sunsetclimax products. I designed this cup for campers, many of whom appreciate and enjoy nature, by making effective use of natural resources. This cup is made from rare thinned cherry trees, which are not easily caught even during the year.
TU : We considered what shape would best express the beautiful grain of cherry wood in the simplest possible form. We also considered the shape to fit in your hand when you hold it. After much consideration, I came up with this design, which I believe is exactly what I had in mind.
TU : I am already selling them under my brand sunsetclimax. My brand is very small, but I want to connect directly with users, so I sell only through direct sales. I have already received inquiries from many potential buyers, so I am currently working on production.
TU : The design itself took 1~2 months to decide on the direction, but after that, we work on finalizing the design while making various adjustments in discussions with the craftsmen and factories that will produce the product. It took about 5 years from the design I envisioned to the actual completion of the design I had in mind.
TU : As I answered in the interview of 01, it is one of the products of my own brand, sunsetclimax, and I designed the cup.
TU : We produce and sell our own products. We are not considering wholesaling to other companies at this time, but will consider it depending on conditions.
TU : There are many wooden cups in the world, We aimed to create a design that is unique. In the process of designing, When you use your hand to drink water There is a way to put both hands together to make the hand look like a vessel, The shape of the hands gave me an image of the shape of this cup. This design fits well when you wrap your hands around it.
TU : I have always been influenced by the designs of my mentor, Tokujin Yoshioka. It is not just about the shape of the appearance or the feel of the material, I am influenced by the process of realizing the design I have in mind. There are many difficulties before a design is completed. I learned from Tokujin Yoshioka the importance of overcoming these difficulties with a strong spirit.
TU : Our main target is sunsetclimax users and campers.
TU : Unique shape. The material used is rare thinned cherry trees. The woodworking factory in the prefecture where the cherry trees are harvested makes this product. The combination of these factors makes it different from other products.
TU : Simply, we named the raw material, cherry blossoms, SAKURA, which is the Japanese word for cherry blossom.
TU : handwritten sketch CAD handwritten sketch CAD 3D modeling software 3D Printer Prototype in wood Up to this point, we have been working on the design.
TU : Central overhanging shape. This shape expresses the unique grain of the wood.
TU : Located in Tochigi, Japan To a craftsman in a woodworking factory We asked for their cooperation in various ways to realize the ideal shape.
TU : During the review phase, we repeated the prototyping process with a 3D printer, and at that point we were able to study the project in considerable detail, so I think we benefited from the advances in technology in that area.
TU : When considering this design, the wooden cups on the market were well researched.
TU : This cup is carved from a block of cherry blossom. It took a lot of effort to create a beautiful, smooth finish.
TU : I have previously applied for and won other international design awards. Winning an award is also a way for me to connect with myself, but most of all, it is a great pleasure for me to make my customers happy.
TU : Every time, The challenge is to not give up in order to achieve the ideal design.
TU : A'DESIGN AWARD is a wonderful award that offers very generous support compared to other design awards, and you can sense the strong desire to spread good design to the world. I would like to continue to apply and challenge myself in the future.
