Interview with Yasumichi Morita

My studio is based in Tokyo, Japan and involved with projects all over the world.
We have wide range of categories and design each project like haute couture, thinking of the best way to express the project, so our design varies one by one.

It is important aspect in this world to make something interesting, joyful and creative.
It is different from Art and my mission as a designer is to aim for commercial success as always.

Daydreams. But they almost come true as they are.

Lighting. It is a very important aspect for my design.

A bar called COOL in Kobe, Japan when I was at the age of 18. It is still there as it was completed then.

Natural materials like wood, soil, stone etc..

When I see many people gathering in a space. I think design/creation will have no meaning without people.

Lighting for interior designing. For product design, I'd like to change non-common sense to common sense.

I try not to be high; I shall be level-headed in order to see my design from the third person.

I feel, yes it is just what I expected/imagined. Designer should be able to imagine what it will be when completed.

Repeaters. I suppose a project needs at least 30% repeaters to be successful so I try to design something/somewhere to be used/visited for long.

Many people will see public spaces and I use natural materials to keep blessings of nature.
But I don't want to go too far, to keep the good balance.

My art exhibition "What's! Gold!?" was held in April and May last year in Tokyo.
I'd like to hold another when I have a decision what I wan to express next.

From my daydreams/imaginations; I imagine a beautiful lady dating with me in a nice restaurant, bar, hotel, resort, spa...any hospitality design. Without people around in design on my mind, I cannot design.

Happy style with surprises.

I live in Tokyo. Japanese design is delicate and bold from any point of view.
Good points: the flexibility, ability to create in a free way and cosmopolitan
Week point: Few historical monuments/buildings in the city.

To be a good designer, organizational skill is important.

Starting from daydreams, I sumilate the design on my mind before layout planning, then I design a rough layout and perspective/3D plan at the same time. When the layout is finished, 3D perspective is almost there.

Piano painted by my friend artist, Masataka Kurashina.
Recycled Hermes scarves in art frames.
Lamps at terrace.
Home studio filled with my favorite things.
My wife's dresser table surface coverd with crocodile leather.

Workout at gym twice a week in the morning. Meetings from noon to evening. Supper with friends. Go home.

Get organized!

Positive: I can go where I designed and I can use something I designed.
Negative: None. Because being a designer for me, is to make people happy.

Space: Beautiful shade and shadow to create depth.
Product: Functionality.
It is important if 'I' want to go/use the space/product.

Communication skill because you cannot avoid it. And a sense of humor.

Tracing paper and a pen worth of US$5.

My time is managed by my assistant! lol
I need some free time to plan.

It varies per project. Sometimes it's an easy delivery, sometimes not.

"When do you plan?" because they think I'm too busy to plan.

For each project, under the limited budget, how much I can express/create is important.
I try not to give up even though there is little budget.

Starwood, Disney, Baccarat, Joel Robuchon, Paul Bocuse, LLADRÓ, Lucien Pellat-Finet, Audemars Piguet, Cotton Club, Sapporo Beer, Isetan, Hiramatsu, Tokyo Tatemono and so on.

Everything is fun.

Probably the largest chandelier of the world. I'm tring to break the Guinness World Record for it!

As a team.

Morimoto signature restaurant, at The Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach in Miami to open in June 2014.
5 & 6F of Isetan Shinjuku Store.
Two restaurants in Taiwan hotel and a restaurant in Las Vegas.

Please email info@glamorous.co.jp

I haven't done any project in Italy, and I'm eager to do so.