Minimal and Universal... Modern Design with Traditional Kyoto Techniques

Designer Andrea Ponti says, "Europe and Asia, industrial design and traditional crafts. These two cultures and two ways of making things have been brought closer through design. We considered practical items for a common market, not for research or experimentation. The kitchen knife series FUSION uses ebony (black) and hard maple (white) wood, and each piece is handcrafted by artisan Issei Hanaoka."


Serrated Bread Knife and Straight-Edged Utility Knife

The larger, serrated knife is the "Bread Knife," and the smaller, straight-edged knife can be used for cutting cheese, fruit, cake, and more. The design considers ease of grip for safe and comfortable use. Furthermore, the absence of a seam between the blade and handle contributes to its aesthetic beauty and enhanced hygiene.




The packaging uses traditional Japanese paulownia boxes. Based on Italian design principles, the knives are stored vertically rather than horizontally, a design that pursues both usability and novelty.


Andrea Ponti

Born in 1985 in Italy, Andrea Ponti is a young industrial designer who develops numerous products to enhance daily life. After graduating from the Politecnico di Milano in 2006, he pursued his master's degree there. He spent a year in Japan as an exchange student at Kyushu University, participating in internships with major Japanese companies and focusing on electrical products and transportation design. He completed his master's thesis project on Japan's "Shinkansen" bullet train in 2008. Following his graduation, he returned to Japan as a research student at Kyushu University and joined Tomoaki Murata's design studio, H Concept Design Laboratory, as a product designer in 2009. In 2010, he moved to Junzo Yamashita's design studio, Space Magic Mon, where he managed events between Japan and Italy and participated in exhibitions such as the Milan Salone until 2012.

Since 2011, he has also been active as an art director and designer for PINEWAY ASIA LTD. and Innopocket in Hong Kong. In 2012, he won the Grand Prix at the LG Mobile Design Competition. In December of the same year, he established PONTI DESIGN STUDIO LTD. in Hong Kong. He is active in a wide range of design fields, from product design to branding (logo and package design). He has been involved in international product designs for clients in the US, Hong Kong, China, Dubai, India, and more, with his work featured in numerous international media outlets.