Part 1: Is Ultimate Design Found in Nature?

“SNOW FRAKE”

What is ultimate design? I've set a rather grand title for the very first installment of this series, one that might befit a final chapter. But I must preface this by saying that as a mere product designer, I have no grand ambition to speak of the ultimate. Therefore, in this series, I intend to freely discuss the things I love, without imposing my opinions. What I say is simply my own view, and whether it is correct is another matter entirely. So, I hope you will join me on this journey with a relaxed spirit. First, let's talk about my beloved “SNOW FRAKE” (snowflakes).

No two snowflakes are exactly alike. Their shapes are said to be determined by temperature and humidity, yet the reason why they form hexagonal structures remains unknown even today. Doesn't that sound romantic? I believe that ultimate design lies in these forms created by nature. And just as we are moved by snowflakes, the ability to purely feel "This is good!" when looking at something seems to be a crucial factor in choosing objects. Men, in particular, often favor the narrative behind an object—the story of a skilled artisan or a designer's pattern. But, to avoid misunderstanding, this is merely a process leading to the essence of the object. We should cherish that pure feeling of "This is good!" and "I love this!" much more.

“CONCORDE”

Of course, what constitutes a "good" object or design varies from person to person, but one of my criteria for value is a "form that feels natural." I suspect the reason I find airplanes beautiful is precisely because airplanes, in many respects, possess an efficient and logical form. What if an airplane designer, in an attempt to be unconventional, decided to make the wings asymmetrical? It would be structurally impossible, and even if it were possible, passengers would feel uneasy. Such a design would be unsuitable for a product.

The photograph shows the supersonic passenger jet "Concorde," which I consider the most beautiful airplane. It is a shame that it has become a thing of the past due to unfortunate accidents, but its form, which truly evokes a bird in flight, still conveys a sense of perfected beauty. Perhaps the very idea of humans attempting to alter the shape that birds have acquired through long evolutionary history is, in itself, a shallow one.