Interview with Yuya Nakazawa | When Material Leads the Design

Being recognised by the London Design Awards affirms that my work resonates within an international product design context. It is meaningful to have the balance between concept, form, and usability acknowledged, and it encourages me to continue developing my practice with confidence.

This achievement has increased the visibility of my work and created opportunities to connect with collectors and design professionals. It has also clarified my direction as an independent maker, helping me take concrete steps toward establishing a sustainable production environment.

Experimentation is central to my process. The ORUHA Chair could not be fully resolved through drawings alone. I worked through clay models and repeated prototypes, shaping the final form directly by hand. Design and fabrication progressed simultaneously, allowing the material itself to guide decisions.

My background is in video editing. Editing teaches how structure and context alter emotional perception. I apply the same thinking to furniture, where subtle changes in curve or proportion can dramatically affect how a piece feels when used.

That good design is rarely quick or effortless. It is built through repetition, failure, and refinement. Uncertainty is not a weakness in the process—it is often where meaningful decisions emerge.

I focus on clarity of intent. I am open to adjustment, but if a compromise undermines the core concept of a piece, I choose not to proceed. I believe honest boundaries lead to stronger outcomes for both designer and client.

The main challenge was translating an organic, asymmetrical form into wood without clear reference points. Measurement alone was insufficient, so I relied on experience and intuition. Accepting imperfection as part of the process was essential to completing the work.

I step away from making it entirely. Spending time with family or walking without a goal helps reset my perspective and allows ideas to return naturally.

I value honesty, care, and the passage of time. I design objects to be used, to age, and to change with their owners. Furniture should accompany life, not remain static or untouchable.

Do not rush to be understood. Focus on building depth through practice and failure. Over time, your work will begin to speak clearly on its own.

George Nakashima. His deep respect for material and his philosophy of revealing the life within wood strongly align with my own approach to craft and design.

Question: “How do your designs change over time?”

Answer: They evolve through use, repair, and ageing. That transformation is not a flaw—it is the completion of the design.