34th Session: Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall Intersects M.Y. LABEL's Maki Yoshida (3)
Lounge
May 11, 2015

34th Session: Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall Intersects M.Y. LABEL's Maki Yoshida (3)


Part 34
Wonderwall Masamichi Katayama x M.Y. LABEL Makie Yoshida


“Things Men Love”... (3)


This is the third installment of our conversation series on “Things Men Love” between Masamichi Katayama, principal of interior design firm Wonderwall, and Makie Yoshida, product designer at M.Y. LABEL. The discussion delves into what sparks inspiration and the core of their design philosophies.


Summary by Fuyuki TogawaPhoto by Jamandfix




Where Does Inspiration Come From?



Part 34<br>Wonderwall Masamichi Katayama x M.Y. LABEL Makie Yoshida<br><br>“Things Men Love”... (3)



YoshidaMasamichi, when you see architecture abroad, do you ever think, “Ah, there’s another way to do it!”?

KatayamaMore than the buildings themselves, I find it visually interesting when I see the landscape from a hotel window and the subtle overlap of buildings appears as a single mass. That’s when I feel it’s graphically compelling.

YoshidaI see. So that’s how you look at things… When I look at a row of buildings abroad, I sometimes wonder what it would be like if that were designed on a smaller scale, or I might find airplane parts appealing. Years later, that can become inspiration for my own work.

KatayamaFor me, it’s the opposite. When I see something small, I sometimes think it would be interesting if it were a large building.





YoshidaI understand. I always react to things that have absolutely nothing to do with accessories.

KatayamaSo, it’s not always things in the same genre that directly lead to design inspiration. Perhaps subconsciously, I feel that even if I encounter something I like, I shouldn’t adopt it as is.

YoshidaI agree with that. If you aim to replicate something that already exists, you can never surpass it.

KatayamaI do have aspirations like, “I wish I could become like this…”

YoshidaYeah. I know what you mean.

Part 34<br>Wonderwall Masamichi Katayama x M.Y. LABEL Makie Yoshida<br><br>“Things Men Love”... (3)



Drawn to Things Once Organized by Logic



YoshidaWhat about natural forms? For instance, sand dunes or snowfields – aren’t the forms created by nature incredibly beautiful? After the wind passes, there are lines that are hard to describe, lines that humans can’t draw.
While I can be moved by natural forms, I don’t directly draw design inspiration from them. I’d like to say, “I draw inspiration from nature,” just because it sounds cool (laughs).
However, things that have been organized by logic, like certain airplane parts, resonate with me directly, even if they are beautiful in a similar way. I might find airplane parts appealing because they are the result of meticulous calculation based on the existence of birds in nature and their wings and structure. But when I see a living bird, I just think it’s “cute,” not “cool.”

KatayamaNatural things are truly amazing, aren’t they? I like people who strive for things they find beautiful, including their imperfections. Looking at nature, it’s so overwhelmingly magnificent that it makes me feel too awestruck to even think about designing (laughs).



YoshidaHahaha. I agree with that. When you consider the evolution of animals, they took tens of thousands of years to move from water to land and evolve from gill to lung breathing. There’s no way our fleeting ideas can compete with that…

How to Enjoy Designing Within Constraints



YoshidaAnother thing, don’t you hate it when your designs are perceived as “trying too hard”?

KatayamaBut in my case, when the theme is “let’s try hard!”, I really do try hard (laughs). I never want to show that effort, though.

YoshidaI see. In your case, you always have a client involved alongside your own work, so you’re always designing custom pieces, right?



KatayamaThat’s right. If I were told to freely come up with my own collection for the year, I wouldn’t know what to do. I could never be a fashion designer. I like receiving orders from clients, listening to their requests, and designing under that pressure.

YoshidaOf course, design involves working within constraints, but perhaps I prefer to retreat inward and do my own thing. Like, “Look what I came up with!” But those kinds of things rarely get a good reception.

Part 34<br>Wonderwall Masamichi Katayama x M.Y. LABEL Makie Yoshida<br><br>“Things Men Love”... (3)



KatayamaI might be designing without perceiving constraints as constraints. That’s why I probably couldn’t create my own shop where I have complete freedom (laughs). I feel like I’d be too indecisive and unable to reach conclusions. Normally, I can view clients objectively, which allows me to be bold. I suppose.

YoshidaBut you can take responsibility for your own work, can’t you?

KatayamaGiving my all is how I take responsibility. In a way, it’s a service industry. I tell my staff, “We’re Wonderwall Store!” (laughs). I am a designer, not an artist. I always think about doing the best I can within certain constraints and enjoying the process.

YoshidaRight, you have to enjoy it! No matter how difficult it gets (laughs).



※For Masamichi Katayama's profile, please see “Things Men Love”...(Parts 1 & 2)