We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Atsushi Kobayashi about their original and creative Interactive Lighting design work. Atsushi Kobayashi is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original interactive lighting works.
Atsushi Kobayashi ("AK") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Orizuru Room Interactive Lighting. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
AK : I would say design should be understandable to anyone, no matter what their education, age or nationality. And design should be user friendly. The interactiveness of a design is also key factor to me. How visitors react or interact with designs are fundamental parts of my designing work. I have inspired by novel experiences, like when I first visited NBA all star game for my job.
AK : This art work is for a local art festival in Manazuru, a small Japanese town. What I tried to achieve is to collaborate with local residents. The paper cranes were made by an origami master who lives in Manazuru, and the manager of the local community center let me use his traditional Japanese tea room before the festival started.
AK : I hope to find a permanent home for the exhibit so more local residents can enjoy it. Maybe I can also adopt the design to other communities.
AK : It took me almost a week.
AK : I featured origami cranes because Manazuru means "genuine crane". So I decided to feature cranes for my installation to make it an iconic art piece for the town. I submitted this design to workshop held by Manazuru art installation. And I got high vote to build my installation.
AK : No, my design currently it is not being produced or used by another company. And I don't have a plan to sell or lease the right so far. But I am interested in producing my art work for business.
AK : My work is a lighting installation inside a traditional Japanese tea room. I like applying technology to traditional styles because which creates a unique aspects to my art work.
AK : For this design, I worked on my own.
AK : All the local residents of Manazuru, and visitors to the town.
AK : This installation is not just a static light show. The lights react to music or approaching people by changing their color and frequency.
AK : The art installation was named after the town, whose name means "genuine crane".
AK : Derivative Touchdesigner / Adobe After Effects / Adobe Photoshop
AK : I featured traditional Japanese origami cranes and a traditional tea room. But I added technological aspects to an array of cranes. This fusion style is the most unique aspect of my design.
AK : I collaborated with a local origami master "Nobumitsu Tsukada" to make the paper cranes. Technical director "Joe Ohara" and photographer "Kenta Umeda" helped me to implement it.
AK : I used specialized products and techniques to control LED lights installed inside each crane and the floor. They reacted to sounds and movement of people. But in my opinion, technology should not come first in my art work. Technology is just a way to realize the concept.
AK : I did historical research about Manazuru, but it was not analytical research.
AK : It was hard to synchronize all LED lights perfectly with the music. And wiring and placing the cranes from the ceiling was also complicated.
AK : A' Design Award is a one of the biggest international design competition. I have had some success in Japanese competitions, and I wanted to see how my design would succeed in an internationally-renowned competition.
AK : I did research especially on the technical side to implement my planning. To synchronize the music, I tested many devices to control LED lights with high frame rates. This testing was a valuable opportunity for me to learn about new technology.
AK : Design and art are making our lives better.Some people do not pay attention but still benefit from them. Our lives are filled with many well-designed products. I would like to add to these.
