japanese designer tokujin yoshioka has been named one of 'the 100 most creative people
in business' 2010 by fast company, among three other designers and architects: kazuyo sejima,
jean nouvel and bjarke ingels (BIG architects).

in fact, tokujin is one of the most prolific designers coming from japan.
in the last two months alone, he has worked on an impressive number of new products
and installation projects, which have been covered by most life-style media.



tokujin yoshioka
portrait © designboom


designboom attended all of tokujin's 2010 spring exhibitions, see
'memory' chair for moroso, milan
spectrum exhibition at the museum. beyondmuseum, seoul
'stellar' for swarovski crystal palace, milan


'the invisibles' collection for kartell is a collaboration between the italian furniture manufacturer's
CEO claudio luti and tokujin yoshioka. the project discussion began more than two years ago,
when both were looking for a possibility to develop a new product line, made in acrylic,
which inherited the essence of tokujin's previous optical glass bench 'waterfall'. the challenge
was a difficult one, as technicians stated the use of acrylic of this thickness would be nearly impossible.



armchair from 'the invisibles' collection
image © designboom


'the invisibles' collection's transparent thickness eradicates the presence of the objects.

'I am drawn by things that do not have forms, but leave an emotional effect on people.
at a glance, such material is invisible and its existence is erased. through the interaction
with light, however, the form suddenly emerges. I am fascinated not only with such phenomena,
but also elements that can stir and stimulate our imagination. I also like the idea of light,
which is the form of design itself.'
tokujin yoshioka

armchair from 'the invisibles' collection
image © designboom


the overall installation which encompassed the collection at kartell flagship store
during milan design week 2010 was 'snowflake'. here, tokujin created 'a serene world'
with numerous transparent prism sticks in plastic. the accumulation of these parts were
tinged with white color giving the effect of snow.



installation view of 'snowflake' and 'the invisibles' collection
image © designboom



sofa and side table from 'the invisibles' collection
image © designboom



side table from 'the invisibles' collection
image © designboom



table from 'the invisibles' collection, seen through the shop window
image © designboom



bench from 'the invisibles' collection
image © designboom



'snowflake' installation surrounding 'the invisibles' collection
image © designboom



view of 'the invisibles' collection surrounded by the 'snowflake' installation
image © designboom



up close look at 'snowflake' installation
image © designboom



view from outside the kartell flagship store in milan
image © designboom



tokujin yoshioka
portrait © designboom



designboom assisted tokujin while he was building-up his 'snowflake' installation.
here is a fast-forwarded look at the set-up.
video by designboom