Interviews with Moeko Kakizoe

Living in both Japan and Germany has greatly influenced me. From Japan, I carry a love of simplicity and attention to detail. From Germany, I learned functional clarity and ecological responsibility.

I stay informed but don’t follow trends blindly. I prefer to design timeless pieces that align with my values.

It brought global visibility, meaningful connections, and encouragement to keep going. It reaffirmed that design can speak across cultures.

My primary focus was usability in everyday life. I wanted to create a design that not only protects books securely and is easy to carry, but also offers practical value beyond visual appeal. In particular, I aimed to enrich quiet moments of reading—whether during a commute or while traveling—by offering a companion item that supports that experience.

The Jonde Book Cover Bag is currently being introduced in selected markets across Europe. Our aim is to reach niche audiences who appreciate slow living and sustainable design. In the future, I hope to collaborate with literary festivals and book fairs to promote the concept of a "wearable reading experience" and engage directly with the reading community.

The initial idea came together in just a few days, but it took around six months of prototyping and material research, followed by another twelve months of refining the design. Since I was working with a new material—apple leather—it took additional time to understand its properties and limitations.

This was a self-initiated project born from a personal need. I had long felt it was difficult to carry my favorite books without damaging them. Since nothing like this existed on the market, I decided to create what I had always wanted myself. In Japan, bookstores often provide paper book covers when purchasing a book, but I began to question the sustainability of using disposable paper each time. Fabric covers, on the other hand, come in varying sizes, which often means buying new ones for different books. I wanted to solve this problem with a more practical and eco-conscious solution.

At the moment, I produce and distribute the Jonde Book Cover Bag independently through my own brand. I prefer to maintain full creative and ethical control, especially because sustainability is a core value of the project. However, I remain open to potential collaborations or licensing opportunities with partners who share the same values.

I’ve always been passionate about both reading and design. I saw an opportunity to merge the two by solving a personal pain point. I wanted to create something that doesn’t just hold a book but enhances the entire reading ritual—making it more mobile, elegant, and aligned with sustainable living.

There were no specific designers or existing works that directly influenced this project. Instead, the process began with a search for sustainable materials. Once I discovered apple leather—a material that perfectly matched my values and design goals—the concept began to take shape around it. In that sense, the material itself was the inspiration and starting point for the design.

The target audience includes book lovers, travelers, and professionals who value both aesthetics and sustainability. I aim to appeal to anyone who enjoys mindful living and wants to carry their books with care and style.

What sets the Jonde Book Cover Bag apart is its hybrid nature—it’s not just a book cover, nor merely a bag. It is a wearable reading experience, combining practical features like card slots and coin storage with thoughtful design tailored to book dimensions. Its use of apple leather also reinforces its uniqueness in both material and message.

The name “Jonde” may look abstract at first, but when pronounced with a German accent, it sounds like “読んで (yon-de)” in Japanese, which means “Please read!” This playful cross-lingual coincidence perfectly captures the spirit of the product—an invitation to carry and enjoy books wherever you go.

I designed the Jonde Book Cover Bag entirely by hand. Sketching by hand allows me to think intuitively and directly connect with the tactile experience I want to deliver. The shapes and proportions were developed through manual iteration and real-world testing.

The most unique aspect is that it transforms a book cover into a wearable, functional accessory without compromising its original purpose. It blends multiple roles—book cover, wallet, pouch, and bag—into one harmonious item. Its form respects the proportions of real books, and the use of apple leather adds both a sustainable message and a distinct texture.

I collaborated closely with skilled leather craftsmen and patternmakers to bring the concept to life. Their expertise was essential in working with apple leather, which behaves differently from traditional materials. I also consulted with sustainability advisors to ensure that the production aligned with eco-conscious values.

Technology played a subtle but important role in material selection and development. The use of apple leather—an innovative and sustainable material made from apple waste—is a result of technological advancement in material science. Although the design process itself was mostly analog, the product embodies a modern blend of craftsmanship and eco-innovation.

The design was shaped more by ethnographic observation and real-world feedback than by statistical data. In 2022, I exhibited an early prototype at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where I received valuable input from a diverse group of visitors, including book lovers, publishers, and designers. Their feedback helped me refine the usability, proportions, and material details of the bag. I also observed how people carry books in daily life and gathered insights from common frustrations such as bent corners and lack of storage.

One major challenge was working with apple leather, which behaves differently from traditional animal leather. It required experimenting with stitching, edge finishing, and structural reinforcement. Another challenge was ensuring the design could accommodate both softcover and hardcover books without compromising usability or elegance.

I wanted to test the value of my idea on a global stage and connect with an international audience that shares an appreciation for thoughtful design. A' Design Award stood out to me as a platform that recognizes both innovation and craftsmanship, and I believed it would be a meaningful opportunity to share the story behind the product.

This project taught me the importance of patience and material sensitivity. I learned how deeply design and ethics can be connected—especially when working with sustainable materials. I also realized that small design decisions can greatly affect emotional resonance and user experience, which will guide my work going forward.

What I’d like to emphasize is that this design is not just about carrying books—it’s about valuing quiet moments in our increasingly noisy lives. I believe design has the power to shape habits, and I hope this piece invites people to slow down, disconnect from distractions, and reconnect with themselves through reading.

I enjoy designing products that blend emotion with utility—things people can use daily but that also tell a story or bring joy.

I often feel most inspired during my daily walks or while traveling. These moments of movement and change help refresh my mind and spark new ideas.

It's a mix of excitement and deep concentration. There’s joy in problem-solving and shaping something meaningful from nothing.

Designers must consider long-term impact and choose sustainable solutions.

My last exhibition was in 2023 at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where I showcased an early prototype of the Jonde Book Cover Bag. I would love to participate in future literary or design events in Europe or Asia.

I often find inspiration while walking or traveling. Everyday moments, such as watching people read on a bench, can spark ideas.

I currently live in Germany, but I’m originally from Japan. I believe my design is shaped by the simplicity and mindfulness rooted in Japanese culture, as well as the sense of functionality and deep responsibility toward sustainability that I learned from living in Germany.

Developing my first product from scratch and seeing people actually use it was transformative for me.

Book lovers, professionals, and even spiritual leaders who resonate with the idea of mindful, elegant living.

Just a note of gratitude — thank you for taking the time to explore my work and design philosophy.