Kaori Akiyama
Kaori Akiyama is a Japanese designer and the founder of STUDIO BYCOLOR, a Tokyo-based design practice established in 2013. Working across product, furniture, interior, exhibition, and branding design, she explores the expressive relationship between colour, material, and form, seeking to uncover the essential character of an object while questioning conventional perceptions of the everyday.
Driven by a process of observation and material experimentation, Akiyama creates works that balance functionality with a refined sensitivity to colour and texture. Her practice has received international recognition, including the iF Design Award Gold, iF Design Award, DFA Gold Award, DIA Top 100, and Good Design Award, reflecting an ongoing commitment to thoughtful, research-led design.
Interview
Tokyo, JAPAN.
My mother loved art museums and was interested in architecture.
I worked in product development and design for office furniture after graduating from college.
I became aware of the presence of Japanese designers active in Milan and began to feel a desire to expand the scope of design.
After spending time at a Dutch design studio and experiencing Dutch design firsthand, I became interested in the possibilities of creating things from raw materials.
Drinking coffee while doing housework. Taking a walk with my daughter to enjoy the changing seasons. Cycling to the studio. Color research, meetings and site visits, design work, lunch with the staff, design work. After returning home, spending time with my family.
I am very interested in discovering new aspects of natural materials that have been used traditionally. I also find that combining them with cutting-edge technology sparks my creativity and motivates me.
Experimental work with Fujifilm's structural colour film © Shunsuke Watanabe
Things that cannot be completed without human craftsmanship.
The things around you aren’t necessarily perfect. Your perspective holds the potential to bring them to life. Even with everyday objects, you can make new discoveries through experimentation with materials. It’s important to broaden the scope of your experiences and refine your perspective.
PATTERN by STUDIO BYCOLOR, winner of the iF Design Award © Chika Sakamoto
I am deeply influenced by Dutch design, which offers a sharp perspective on society. At the same time, as a Japanese person, I always strive to create works that emphasize harmony with those around me and are perceived as beautiful.
Tapio Wirkkala – His ability to see through to the essence of materials and craft beauty from natural motifs. It makes me feel encouraged to keep doing what I believe in.
Josef Albers – I always find it challenging to teach color theory in product design at the university level. I was influenced by his approach to color theory.
Shin Azumi.
ISSEY MIYAKE.
An exploration of beauty, encompassing both processes and materials.
“The things around you aren’t necessarily perfect. Your perspective holds the potential to bring them to life.”
The Questions
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)
A sense of calm
Human-made disasters (natural disasters, war)
Being interfered with
The inability to hold a conversation
My husband
Production costs
Between Calm and Passion
A mindset that isn’t afraid of failure
Honesty
Openness
© Wataru Sato
Furniture series using Fujifilm's structural colour inkjet film © Shunsuke Watanabe
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
The ability to see what truly matters
If I had been born in another country, how would I feel about Japan?
Creating an opportunity to share insights for the next generation
Trees
Ikegami, Tokyo
Smartphone
Causing inconvenience to others
Architect and Designer
Bringing out the natural beauty of the hair. As a Japanese person, I value my black hair (including my bangs)
Feeling comfortable being around friends
Hiroshi Mori 森博嗣(Mystery writer, Engineer)
‘Space Brothers(Uchuu Kyoudai)’ Mutta & Hibito
Oribe Furuta 古田織部
My husband
KONOHA (My daughters name)
Darkness
Not having studied abroad when I was younger
While sleeping
Consult the past if you want to know what the future will bring
COYUI, iF Design Award Gold
“I always strive to create works that emphasize harmony with those around me.”
© Wataru Sato 
© Yusuke Tatsumi 
© Wataru Sato COYUI, iF Design Award Gold
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