Bronze Furniture Design · 2021
Consentable WT Ao PC Work Desk
- A' Design Award 2021 Bronze Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Consentable
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 16,801
- Verification code 0B492AF276 · Verify this award
About Consentable WT Ao PC Work Desk
The lifestyles have changed with various digital devises. But the designs of desks have not changed. The modern intellectuals' work desks are usually flooded with various types of wirings when they place PCs. They should need to be improved. Especially in the era when Work From Home is common, the work desks at home need to be sophisticated. Consentable WT Ao provides new work experience for PC user with hiding noisy wirings and devices into the simple form, and with the indigo dyed top plate that resemble the sea surface.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This is a work desk for PC with various storages to hide noisy wirings and devices. It realizes calm work experiences for PC users with hiding noisy items into the simple form, and with using the top plate of indigo dyed wood grains that resemble the calm sea surface.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 1150mm x Depth 600mm x Height 700mm, the legs are made of solid black cherry and the top plate is made of solid black cherry laminated plywood. Both are with indigo dyeing finish.
- Tags
- digital, sustainable, desk, Japan, indigo, PC, minimal, dye, wood, craftsman
- Production Technology
- This desk is made of wood dyed with Japanese Aizome, traditional indigo dyeing technology by Japanese craftsmen. To develop the color of indigo on wood, over 3 times of hand-dyeing works are needed. After that, the wood grains change their textures like the surface of calm sea with glossy indigo.
- Design Challenge
- Our challenge is to improve the PC user experiences on the desk at home. We have designed various small storages in this desk to hide noisy wirings and devices. And also we have made the wood grains resemble the calm sea surface with indigo dyed finish trying to provide calm experiences on the desk to home PC users.
- Project Duration
- PC Work Desk project started in Tokyo in April 2014, and the initial model as Consentable WT were exhibited at Tokyo Design Week in 2014, Salone del Mobile and Paris Design Week in 2016. After that, it was completed in June 2020 as Consentable WT Ao with changing the finishing to indigo dye.
- Operation Flow
- (1) The grooves on the backsides of the legs are for hiding an OA tap code. A cord from an outlet at home powers all the digital devices on the desk. (2) Power codes and USB wirings can be neatly stored. There is a wiring space with lids behind the top plate to protect the cords from dust. (3) The top plate has a device space linked to the wiring space and you can neatly organize all devices and wirings as they are connected. (4) Assembly required.
- Research
- I made the most effort for hiding wirings and devices to fit in a simple form. For example, the wiring space behind the top plate is the size of W1050mm D100mm H750mm that fits for OA taps connected with various outlets such as PC adapters. A cord of the OA tap can be embedded in the grooves of the legs. Regarding the device space, not only can devices be stored, but they are also connected to PC through the wiring space. This desk is designed to be simple as if there were no wiring with it.
- Inspiration
- Our lifestyles have changed with digital devises. But the designs of desks have not changed. Your desk might be flooded with various types of dusty wirings when you place your PC or chargers of various devices, so we wanted to improve those poor experiences. Especially in the era when Work From Home is common, our work desks at home also should be sophisticated. We designed this to provide better experiences on desks for home PC users.
- Image Credits
- Image #1-5: Photographer Katsuhiko Abe, Variations, 2020.
- Patents
- Patented. No1524132. Takusei Kajitani. April 17, 2015. Certificate of Design Registration, Japan Patent Office.
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Colors of Consentable WT Ao PC Work Desk
Design Interview about Consentable WT Ao PC Work Desk
Consenrable's vision is to innovate the daily lives of modern intellectuals using various devices to be simple by Japanese sensibility.
I think our lifestyles have changed rapidly with digital devises, but the designs of desks have not changed yet. Your desk might be flooded with various types of dusty wirings when you place your PC or chargers of various devices, so I wanted to improve those negative experiences. Especially in the era when Work from Home is common, our work desks at home also should be sophisticated. I designed this to provide better experiences on desks for home PC users, with using the top plate of indigo dyed wood grains that resemble the calm sea surface.
I think our lifestyles have changed rapidly with digital devises, but the designs of desks have not changed yet. Your desk might be flooded with various types of dusty wirings when you place your PC or chargers of various devices, so I wanted to improve those negative experiences. Especially in the era when Work from Home is common, our work desks at home also should be sophisticated. I designed this to provide better experiences on desks for home PC users, with using the top plate of indigo dyed wood grains that resemble the calm sea surface.
I have focused hiding wirings and devices to fit in a simple form. For example, the wiring space behind the top plate is the size of W1050mm D100mm H750mm that fits for OA taps connected with various outlets such as PC adapters. A cord of the OA tap can be embedded in the grooves of the legs. Regarding the device space, not only can devices be stored, but they are also connected to PC through the wiring space. This desk is designed to be simple as if there were no wiring with it.
In addition, I have made the wood grains resemble the calm sea surface with indigo dyed finish trying to provide calm experiences on the desk to home PC users.
In addition, I have made the wood grains resemble the calm sea surface with indigo dyed finish trying to provide calm experiences on the desk to home PC users.
Consentable/ WT Ao, which is given the Bronze A' Design Award this time, will be exhibiting at "Japan Ingenious Exhibition" curated by Design Pier and NYCXDESIGN* scheduled to be held in NY this fall.
*Design Pier is a Hong Kong-based global curation team, and NYCXDESIGN is a design event held in New York, USA.
(The detailed schedule is being adjusted due to the influence of COVID-19.)
While making effective use of this A' Design Award for promotional activities, I would like to actively participate in various exhibitions in the future.
*Design Pier is a Hong Kong-based global curation team, and NYCXDESIGN is a design event held in New York, USA.
(The detailed schedule is being adjusted due to the influence of COVID-19.)
While making effective use of this A' Design Award for promotional activities, I would like to actively participate in various exhibitions in the future.
It took about a year and a half to develop the concept of this table. The idea was a desk to solve the problems for both noisy PC work desk and decline of craftsmen. After the idea came up, I drew pictures and drawings, made full-scale mockups, researching craftsmen and repeated careful verification for many times, so it took longer than usual.
This design is intended for commercialization. It is not commissioned.
I would like to exhibit at various exhibitions in the future, and I would like to introduce and sell it on the Consentable brand website.
I would like to exhibit at various exhibitions in the future, and I would like to introduce and sell it on the Consentable brand website.
The products I designed are made to order and will be sold under the Consentable brand. Consentable’s production is usually outsourced to the most suitable craftsman for each product. In the case of Consentable/ WT Ao, it will be manufactured by a Japanese woodworking workshop called KOKKOK and a woodworking indigo dyeing team called Ao.
If there will be an offer in the future, I would like to actively consider selling and leasing production rights.
If there will be an offer in the future, I would like to actively consider selling and leasing production rights.
Consentanle/ WT Ao can keep the top plate 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 PC work desk.
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 PC work desk.
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.
Anyway, I made a very simple design that I imaged in my mind.
It is designed for all PC users 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.
Consentable have a strong desire to let more people in the world touch the wonderfulness of Japanese craftsmanship.
I think it is quite rare to use the traditional Japanese technique "Aizome", indigo dyeing for finishing. Also, I think that no other similar products have so called Japanese design, which emphasize flexibility, such as the assembly type and the use of movable lids.
We convey two meanings in this coined word of Consentable. One is Able to be connected to Concent which means outlet in Japan, and the other is Able to be agreed. With this concept at the core, we will be designing and producing various types of digital life furniture with Japanese craftsmanship.
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.
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.
I think it is so unique that indigo dyeing is used for the woodwork finishing.
It’s Japanese “Aizome”, traditional indigo dyeing technology by Japanese craftsmen. To develop the color of indigo on wood, over 3 times of hand-dyeing works are needed. After that, the wood grains change their textures like the surface of calm sea with glossy indigo.
It’s Japanese “Aizome”, traditional indigo dyeing technology by Japanese craftsmen. To develop the color of indigo on wood, over 3 times of hand-dyeing works are needed. After that, the wood grains change their textures like the surface of calm sea with glossy indigo.
I have collaborated with "Ao.", who specializes in solid woodwork dyed with indigo in Tokyo. "Ao." carefully select and utilize the fine quality of woods, bringing them into the daily life with the Japanese craftsmanship, delicately handmade one by one. "Ao." means “Blue” in Japanese, the beautiful color of indigo.
The role of Japanese traditional technique is almost essence of this design.
I have achieved a simple, sustainable and attractive appearance by applying a traditional natural dyeing technique called "Aizome" to woodworking.
By utilizing the rare Japanese craftsmen and utilizing the traditional Japanese technique, Consentable/ WT Ao is expressing the possibility of effective utilization of traditional techniques.
I have achieved a simple, sustainable and attractive appearance by applying a traditional natural dyeing technique called "Aizome" to woodworking.
By utilizing the rare Japanese craftsmen and utilizing the traditional Japanese technique, Consentable/ WT Ao is expressing the possibility of effective utilization of traditional techniques.
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.
After researching this background, I decided to design the Consentable / WT Ao with a focus on functionality.
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.
After researching this background, I decided to design the Consentable / WT Ao with a focus on functionality.
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.
One day, I got an email from the A' Design Award.
Fortunately, it was just the time when the Consentable / WT Ao was completed for the exhibition of NYCXDESIGN2021, so I decided quickly.
As a result, I was very happy to apply.
Fortunately, it was just the time when the Consentable / WT Ao was completed for the exhibition of NYCXDESIGN2021, so I decided quickly.
As a result, I was very happy to apply.
The WT Ao is an indigo-dyed version of the WT developed several years ago. Although exactly the same shape, WT Ao has a very strong presence and I like its design. After submitting the product for this award, I realized once again the importance of appearance and finish.
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.
Thanks to you, I was able to organize my own way of thinking on my design again in answering this interview.
Grand Interview about Consentable WT Ao PC Work Desk
One of the characteristics of traditional Japanese crafts is the concept of “Unintentional Beauty”. This refers to a natural beauty that emerges from the process of processing natural materials with minimal interference, allowing their inherent vitality to shine through, rather than artificially arranging them to create beauty. The finish of the Consentable WT Ao embodies this philosophy, combining the unique grain of cherry wood with a transparent indigo dye reminiscent of the depths of the ocean, resulting in a unique, serene beauty.Users can work on their PCs with a calm mindset, gazing at this serene beauty beneath them. Especially since the structure allows cables that are usually a nuisance to be neatly tucked away beneath the tabletop, this expression is further emphasized. As a result, users can enjoy PC work in a noise-free, clean environment, truly feeling at relax.
Many people who use PCs or smartphones at home may have noticed this, but on the table surface and around power outlets, numerous cables become tangled, dust accumulates, and cleaning becomes extremely difficult—a situation that has left me feeling frustrated. On the desk, there are various devices such as a notebook PC, smartphone, external hard drive, smartphone charger, small digital camera, and CD player, all of which require cables. It’s only natural that there are so many cables. However, I couldn’t find a table designed to fundamentally solve this cable issue. That’s why I decided to design Consentable WT myself.In designing it, I prioritized the ability to store and retrieve each digital device while the cables were connected, while also aiming for a sleek design where almost no cables are visible from the outside. As a result, by using the cable grooves in the legs to store a single power strip under the tabletop, I was able to achieve a very simple design.
By creating a wiring space measuring 1050mm in width, 100mm in depth, and 75mm in height at the back of the tabletop to accommodate the O A tap, we were able to store all the wiring under the tabletop while still allowing easy access to the digital devices from any position on the tabletop without the wiring being noticeable. At the same time, by simply placing a wooden cover over the wiring space, we were able to prevent dust from entering the space and, when rewiring, easily access the power supply by opening the wooden cover. Although the wooden cover is frequently opened and closed, it is simply placed on top without hinges, so there is no risk of it breaking.
In 2014, I unveiled a piece called Consentable WT, which was simply finished with oil, and it was well-received by many people. The functionality that allows wiring on the tabletop to be organized simply and beautifully resulted in a clean, noise-free tabletop, which in turn contributed to a calm and focused PC work environment—this aspect was particularly appreciated.One day, a designer friend of mine started a brand called "Ao." and began creating various indigo finish woodworking pieces, so I had the opportunity to visit their exhibition. There, I saw a large living room table with a solid cypress tabletop dyed in indigo, which was truly beautiful. The moment I saw it, I thought it was an amazing piece. I then asked them if they could apply the indigo dyeing process to Consentable WT, and they kindly agreed, leading to the creation of Consentable WT+Ao. The excitement I felt when the first WT+Ao mockup was completed is unforgettable. The cherry wood grain, dyed in indigo, had a metallic luster and resembled the ripples on a calm water surface, evoking the aesthetic of a Zen temple's dry landscape garden.
In my research on urban design at university and in brand space design at Hakuhodo, the common keyword is “experience.” I strongly resonated with the idea that urban planning is not just a desk-based plan but is completed through the various activities and experiences of the people living in the city (an idea symbolized by C. Alexander's phrase “The city is not a tree”). In brand space design, I came to believe that creating an attractive spatial experience for visitors enhances their affinity for the brand. In other words, I am deeply interested in the idea that design, while taking a specific form, ultimately serves to provide users with some form of “experience.” At Consentable, we place a strong emphasis on how to deliver such “experiences” through design. Consentable WT Ao is designed to provide a beautiful experience of “working on a PC in a very calm and beautiful state of mind.”
I believe that it is truly remarkable that the traditional Japanese dyeing technique of indigo dyeing has been able to add value to modern PCworkers by allowing them to work on their PCs with a sense of calm and beauty.This is because it has proven that the value of “natural beauty,” which lies in the Japanese aesthetic sense of bringing out the goodness of natural materials, is still relevant today.I have always resonated with the idea that traditional techniques become timeless precisely because they evolve continuously to meet the needs of the times, and I believe this concept is reflected in the evaluation of Consentable WT Ao.
Functionally, I designed the tabletop to accommodate not only wiring but also devices, allowing everything to be stored beneath the tabletop. However, I also took care to ensure the tabletop remained thin. The goal was to create a table that appears simple on the surface but can actually accommodate various items. I aimed for a design that minimizes thickness by carefully considering the depth of each space and the structure of the lids. The result is a simple, unassuming appearance that I am very satisfied with.
Designer Yo Miyachi and craftsman Ryosuke Tanaka are part of the brand Ao, which specializes in indigo-dyed woodwork. They have developed a technique for dyeing various wooden furniture pieces with natural indigo, creating beautiful indigo-dyed woodwork, including tables, chairs, and recycled furniture.Consentable WT Ao would not have been possible without their indigo-dyed woodwork technology. In particular, the indigo-dyed hinoki table I saw at their first exhibition was exceptionally beautiful, so I immediately requested its adoption for Consentable WT. As a result, their collaboration became a significant driving force in creating the more beautiful Consentable WT Ao.
Since the development of Consentable WT, numerous types of PC work desks for digital professionals have been developed, and if our work has had any influence on this evolution, we consider it a great honor.The original concept behind Consentable WT was, “If a table were to be created for the first time in this era, what kind of design would it have?” Historically, the functional form of tables has remained largely unchanged since the dawn of civilization around 3500 BCE. However, this universal table design may now be ready for change in the face of the digital revolution. If this design can become a catalyst for transforming the shape of tables in the future, that would be truly fascinating.
Traditional techniques are a treasure trove of human wisdom, and they may hold various techniques and effects that modern people are unaware of. Therefore, I think it is a great waste to limit traditional techniques to traditional crafts pieces alone. By actively incorporating them into modern functional products, we can realize the wisdom of our ancestors and the power of natural materials.In addition to indigo-dyed woodwork, I have recently begun design studies on Sappanwood-dye wine glasses, and their beauty is so profound and mysterious that it defies description. Through the act of actually using traditional techniques, I have come to realize that design ideas can expand greatly. I highly recommend giving it a try.