We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Tomohiro Horibe about their original and creative Laundry belt indoor design work. Tomohiro Horibe is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original laundry belt indoor works.
Tomohiro Horibe ("TH") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Brooklyn Laundreel Laundry belt indoor . Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
TH : Based on Tape measure shape, but key design is oblong. top view, and holes on belt are oblong which is inspired by I-phone 5 bottom form. No edge, not sharp, no screw on surface, just simple.
TH : In Japan, when it rain outside, or winter time, we prefer to dry clothes inside room after washing rather than by using laundry dryer, in order to prevent from shrinking clothes, and save electric energy. However, dry clothes inside room occupies space. I tried to make it small as much as possible and just simple to assimilate on the wall when it installed. Compact, but very useful product I wanted.
TH : I would like to promote this result to Japanese market, and if possible, I would like to export this products to the other countries.
TH : Almost 1 year.
TH : Actually, my supplier had basic ideas, but first trial sample designed by them was not good. Then, I offered to design by myself.
TH : This product is manufactured by supplier based on my design, not by myself. I cannot make any product because I have not production line, but I am selling this product as our original design products.
TH : Indoor clothes dry products selling by other companies are not good design at all for me, destroying interior design. So I would like to solve these problem. That is my biggest motivation of this work.
TH : I-phone. I-phone shape and form are really good for me. And compact body, but very useful for us. It gives me a lot of ideas.
TH : I would say target is housewife. Main person who use washing machine and dry clothes. However, person living alone is also the target of this product.
TH : Holes on the belt. It is simple idea, but breakthrough idea. Holes are to keep each hanger and not shifted. We even do not need to use clothespins.
TH : "Brooklyn" means catenary curve. When it load many clothes on max 4 m length belt, the belt bends like a catenary curve.The Brooklyn bridge which is the most beautiful building with a catenary curve, so I took this name. "Laundreel" is Laundry + reel, my original word.
TH : I only use pencil and paper, my staff made CAD drawings.
TH : 2 way use. Rotary body + 2 hooks allow 2 way use in 1 room. For example, case 1 is 4 m length and dry clothes a lot. Case 2 is 1 m length at the corner of room and keep Jacket, coat, like open closet.
TH : Mr. GOTO who is supplier guys. I designed this product based on his original ideas.
TH : Save electric energy. Daily use product, but not destroy interior design.
TH : Other product max load weight was 8 kg. So we tried to maximize this load weight. This product max load is 15 kg, however nobody measure clothes weight each time, so we produced 45 kg possible one that is 3 times load. We passed several test at official test facility.
TH : Select belt material. Have to be strong enough, have to be clean. we tested many materials. Then, we found the belt that is used as belt conveyor of food factory. It is very strong, and Antibacterial and Antifungal processing material.
TH : Actually I did not know A' design award, but I have got the letter of recommendation.
TH : If I am not satisfied, even small issue or detail, Do not compromise.
