We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Takusei Kajitani about their original and creative Dining Table design work. Takusei Kajitani is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original dining table works.
Takusei Kajitani ("TK") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Consentable MT Dining Table. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
TK : MT is designed so that each member of the user's family can store and retrieve work tools, including digital devices, in six drawers at any time, allowing each one to spend their time for multiple purpose on this table.
TK : Our challenge is to improve the family gathering experience at the dining table. Therefore, we designed this table as a hangout for the family by incorporating the concept of Washitsu, Japanese traditional multi-purpose room. At the same time, we adopted the traditional Japanese technique without steel nails and realized a sturdy and reliable structure that can withstand the long usage time of the family.
TK : We have already received several orders and plan to sell the product on a made-to-order basis for a while.
TK : It took about a year to complete this work. 3 months at the concept development stage, next 3 months at the basic design stage where materials and manufacturing methods were examined and craftsmen were selected, and then 3 months at the implementation design stage where all details were fixed with collaborating with the craftsmen, and 3 months at the mockup production stage.
TK : There is a traditional culture of using a room flexibly in Japan. The room called Washitsu does not have fixed role, it becomes a dining room with Ozen when eating, a living room with Zabuton when relaxing, and a bedroom with Futon at night. It makes sense to use space for multiple purposes with each tool, depending on the time and occasion. Inspired by that idea, I thought of redesigning the dining table.
TK : The design of Consentable / MT is patented by Takusei Kajitani. At first, I am planning to promote Consentable / MT, a dining table that provides new experiential value, to many people. To do so, I am thinking of first producing and selling it myself. Of course, if there is a company interested in manufacturing and selling it, I would like to consider lending the copyright to them and consigning the production and sales to them.
TK : Consentanle / MT can keep the top plate of dining table clean by storing the noisy wirings. In Japan, there is a traditional culture that emphasizes "Seiri Seiton" means cleanliness and simplicity of the workplaces in order to do a good job. I wanted to realize that idea on the dining table.
TK : I don't have any other particular design or designer in mind, but if there is a design that has influenced me, it may be a simple and rational design of Japanese tea room or tea utensils. Anyway, I made a very simple design that I imaged in my mind.
TK : It is designed for all modern intellectuals in the world, but I am hoping that it is liked by foreign users who are highly interested in Japanese woodworking technology. Consentable have a strong desire to let more people in the world touch the wonderfulness of Japanese craftsmanship.
TK : This dining table is multi-purpose one with 6 drawers which has narrow gaps for wirings in front. Not only meal related items but also note PC can be stored with its wirings and OA taps in the drawers. Therefore, when working, the user can take out note PC from the drawers, and when eating, he can put it in them, and have a meal together. This provides both a family dining and working space, so it can be used like a family hangout. That is the originality of Consaentable / MT.
TK : MT is an abbreviation for "Multiple Table". While a dining table is limited to the function of eating, this MT is intended to be used for a variety of purposes, primarily including the use of digital devices.
TK : I used MacBook, digital pen tools, sketchbooks, pencils, the internet, and design books for concept-stage research. I especially studied the entire history of desk design. Once I decided on a concept, used Adobe Illustrator to draw the details during the design phase. Then, I made a full-scale mockup with craftsmen and completed the design by trial and error for detailed usability.
TK : This dining table is multi-purpose one with 6 drawers which has narrow gaps for wirings in front. Not only meal related items but also note PC can be stored with its wirings and OA taps in the drawers. Therefore, when working, the user can take out note PC from the drawers, and when eating, he can put it in them, and have a meal together. This provides both a family dining and working space, so it can be used like a family hangout.
TK : MT is made in collaboration with Yobi, an excellent workshop in Nishiawakura Village, a woodworking town located in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture, my hometown. In addition, MT is made using traditional and sustainable production methods that do not use iron nails.
TK : The role of Japanese traditional technique is almost essence of this design. I have achieved a simple, sustainable and attractive appearance by applying them.
TK : I have researched the history of the table before designing. For example, the oldest design of the table in record was a simple wooden one in the ancient Egyptian era (BC. 2500), and after that, the design of table has been evolved into different types to suit the diversification of various lifestyles. On the other hand, ancient chairs seemed to have the meaning of "a symbol of power." I thought it very interesting that the design of the table does not have strong meanings and seems to be treated as purely functional in their history.
TK : I think the problem is that the selling price is high because it is manufactured by a method that is not mass-produced. I am thinking seriously how to solve the contradictory situation between keeping the craftsmanship on it and sell at a reasonable price for many users.
TK : Two years ago, we were awarded a Bronze for WT Ao, an indigo-dyed furniture with strong presence finish, but this time MT has left the finish on the bare wood, as is traditional Japanese furniture. I applied for the award because I wanted to know what kind of evaluation my new functional furniture made with this traditional Japanese finish would receive. As a result, I am very happy to receive a Bronze evaluation.
TK : MT is a table that not only uses beautiful cypress wood finished with traditional Japanese techniques, but also has new features. We have found that traditional techniques, which are difficult to continue for economic reasons, can be reaffirmed in value by developing new functions that are appropriate for the times.
TK : I think it’s enough. Thanks to you, I was able to organize my own way of thinking on my design again in answering this interview.
