Yukiko Izumi Yukiko Izumi

Yukiko Izumi

Biography

Yukiko Izumi, I am a Industrial Design 2nd Master student at Designskolen Kolding in Denmark and designer who is using a different kind of Japanese traditional techniques and material to the products. And my dream is to become a designer and a design teacher.

The reason that I used Japanese traditional techniques was my experience in United States. Our family moved to U.S. when I was 12 years old and I was the only Japanese in that local junior high school. It was so difficult to make a friend without using English. But the Origami technique which is one of the Japanese traditional technique helped me to make friends. Then I recognized how special our culture is. That was my first time to notice about how important to use Japanese techniques for me and to know about our culture.

However, the number of traditional craftsmen decreased year by year. I was disappointed that Japanese lost a lot of beautiful techniques. Because traditional techniques are part of our identity. I have tried to transform the Japanese traditional techniques to the modern lifestyle.

I graduated in Interior Design study in Bachelor and Furniture Design study in Master in Bunka Gakuen University. After that I was working as an Interior and Furniture Design assistant teacher in the same university in Tokyo for 5 years. Currently, I move to Denmark and study a full Master Degree course of Industrial Design. Because I would like to experience the high quality design education here and see JAPAN from outside to find some attractive points and weak points.

In the future, I would like to work in Europe to brush up my design skills and after that I would like to use my whole life experiences when I become a design teacher. One of my objective as a perfect teacher is to have the knowledge and different kind of experiences. So that I'm not afraid to challenge myself to a new field of design with Japanese traditional technique.

Product: Partition with Mirror (Byobu Hinge × Leather)

What will you wear tomorrow?

You take out your favorite clothes out of your closet, and place them on your bed in order to coordinate the pieces. But once you put these clothes back into the closet, they are in a crumpled mess. Such worries are solved by using this piece of furniture. There is a wooden frame on which clothes are hung next to the mirror, allowing you to easily coordinate your clothes. When you do not use, it can be folded into one frame. And this leather hinge can turn 360° and it was inspired from the Japanese Byobu paper hinge technique.

How to Use : A wooden frame is connected to the main piece. When it is not in use, it can be folded, saving space in your room.

Collaborated Companies: Maeda Gakubuchi Co., Ltd., Masubuchi Carpentry Co., Ltd., Honda Carpentry Co., Ltd., Hasegawa Crasft Carpentry Co., Ltd., Manago Coating Handycraft Carpentry Co., Ltd.,

Product: Mobile Desk (Japanese Cedar × Bag × Desk)

Concept : Due to the popularity of laptop computers and tablets in recent years, I started thinking about options to the traditional “desk.” I believe that is necessary to create a desk that is mobile, enabling you to do your work wherever you want.

How to Use : Necessary tools are put in the drawer and it is carried around. After sitting down, the bag is placed on your lap and it turns into a desk.

Collaborated Companies: Hoshino Industry Co., Ltd., Maeda Gakubuchi Co., Ltd., Masubuchi Carpentry Co., Ltd., Honda Carpentry Co., Ltd., Hasegawa Crasft Carpentry Co., Ltd., Manago Coating Handycraft Carpentry Co., Ltd.,

Product: F.E.EL. -Fragile.Egg.Elegant- (Japanese Tea Ceremony × Aging Design)

Concept: This cup design is inspired by this story that takes place in 2065. And when I make the story, I remember my grandmother. She sometime complains her aging situation and says “I cannot move fast as same as young people anymore” with the sad face. I would like to make a product people use both hand, taking care of the product and enjoy the slow elegant time.

The material is chosen Eggshell because everyone knows it is fragile and people taking care of it naturally.

Moreover, the natural eggshell will become a rare material in the future. Because a lot of things usually are made artificial and it is difficult to see the natural material.

It can use not only elderly people but also young people. It is for all generation who have busy life and they can share the moment of elegant slow time. The slow elegant time meaning is connected to our life and to know that we need to enjoy the time and embrace it while we are getting older and don't rush the things.