DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: The designer’s aim was to create a design with a focus on a clear display of the time by the original clock that was to be installed at the concourse of Sapporo station in Japan. The clock had two faces: one on the front and the other on the back. The face seen from the north was in black, whereas the one seen from the south was in white, so that each separate color would clearly tell the passengers in which direction they were walking on the straight concourse which connected the north and the south.
The numbers on the faces were specially designed for this clock. The distance between the numbers and the edge of the clock was carefully considered since they needed to be seen clearly without being obstructed by the clock’s frame when seen from various angles.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: The designer has focused on the precise dimensions of the clock to fit into the space where it is installed
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
: The designer’s intention is for this clock to be used at other stations as well.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: It did not take much time to define the design concept of the clock because the design had a clear purpose to fulfill.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
: The designer considered the requirements for a public clock and found an answer—it must clearly display the time. He then decided to pursue this answer.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
: The product has been already released by Lemnos Inc.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
: Pursuing a clear display of the time
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
: The target for the original clock is all passengers that use Sapporo station.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
: “Eki” means a train station in Japanese.
The original clock was used at a station concourse and the designer named it “eki clock.”
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
: The designer collaborated with clock companies, SEIKO and Lemnos Inc.