Yanagi Design Office is the design firm founded by designer Sori Yanagi in 1950. It started as the Yanagi Industrial Design Institute, and was renamed Yanagi Design Institute (Foundation) when it obtained status of public foundation in 1953. The organization became a general incorporated foundation in 2013, and named the current Yanagi Design Office (Foundation).
The firm designs everything related to everyday life, from daily necessities such as tableware and furniture, to bridges, buildings, graphics, and more.
Since its founding, Yanagi Design Office has consistently designed from the user’s point of view, pursuing the process of thinking while making models by hand, with the philosophy of creating products that enrich everyday life and can be used for a long time.
We continue to manufacture products in line with Sori Yanagi’s philosophy as YANAGI DESIGN, manage “Sori Yanagi Design” products to date, reissue the production of discontinued items, and supervise product specification changes.
Our method of thinking while building models
At YANAGI DESIGN, when we design, we always create models and proceed through trial and error. We start by making a simple model with materials such as paper. Then we gradually shape it into what we envision. As the shape of the model is gradually refined, our designers test the usability themselves, check the balance of shapes, and explore the direction of the design. Such experiments with model-making are carefully repeated, over and over again, until the design is completed.
Verification using models allows one not only to see with one’s own eyes but also to actually touch and feel the usability and shape. Neatly sketching on paper or using CAD to create designs do not allow for detailed observation and subtle judgement. The practice of constructing and reviewing models from start to finish has been employed and is ongoing as an effective method in conceiving designs since the design office was first established.