What makes Japanese product design memorising is its embodiment of fine flavour and texture in life. Basic functionality is no longer the entire purpose of product design nowadays. Instead, engaging interaction and inspiring emotional values become more and more critical. First hand experience in life often inspires genuine designs that reach out to people’s soul.
For example, the air condenses into water drops on the glass with cold drinks, and dampens the table. This is only one of the inevitable inconveniences most come across in daily life, and would not think twice before grabbing a table mat.
Japanese designer Hironao Tsuboi questions, ‘Why not take it as an advantage?’ Therefore he designed ‘Sakurasaku Glass’, with the shape of sakura in the bottom which extends to the top part into a different shape. This subtle shape allows the water drops to form a beautiful sakura pattern on the table. This makes the glass a pleasant addition to daily life, transforming many mundane moments into delightful ones.
Based on sakura (the Japan national flower), it brings a signature Japanese identity to the product.
Feel and taste life is all it takes for great designs. Simple.
Text: Hong Wan | Translation: dilettante | Photo: Chan Kin Wai
Update: 16 Aug 2008
