Kotaro Watanabe
takram
Design engineer and director at takram. Graduate of Keio University (Shonan Fujisawa Campus). Author of "Story Weaving" published by Diamond Inc. After activities such as setting up venture companies, joined takram in 2007. Engaged in a wide range of work from planning the UI (user interface) design of the latest digital equipment to making interactive installations for art museums in Japan and abroad. A guest lecturer at the Hong Kong Design Centre's IDK (Institute of Design Knowledge).
Among his representative works are Toshiba's OVERTURE exhibited at the Milano Salone, the UI designs for NTT Docomo's "iconcieru", "iwidget" and "ichannel", and the "Furin" (wind-bell) exhibition for Okamura held jointly with architect Toyoo Ito. Has received many awards including Germany's red dot award 2009.
Has structured his own theory of "striking a balance between the making of things and the story" based on numerous projects. With this theory as the theme, has held many personnel training sessions, series of lectures and workshops for corporate in-house designers, engineers and planners.
Has held talks and workshops for various manufacturing companies, as well as for the graduate school of Keio University, Sweden's Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, Business of Design Week at the Hong Design Center, the joint workshop held by the TKS (Tokyo Wonder Site) and the University of the Arts London, Sendai School of Design, the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology, and Aoyama Book Center.
READ ARTICLEWORKS
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Shenu - Hydrolemic System
© 2012 takram design engineering. Photograph by Naohiro Tsukada. Original concept development by Motohide Hatanaka, Ph.D., Project Leader (until 10/2011)
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Shenu - Hydrolemic System
© 2012 takram design engineering. Photograph by Naohiro Tsukada. Original concept development by Motohide Hatanaka, Ph.D., Project Leader (until 10/2011)
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Storyweaving Workshop 2011
© 2012 takram design engineering with Diamond DMN workshop participants. Photograph by Takashi Mochizuki
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Storyweaving Workshop 2011
© 2012 takram design engineering with Diamond DMN workshop participants. Photograph by Takashi Mochizuki
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OVERTURE
© Toshiba Corporation. Photograph by Daichi Ano
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OVERTURE
© Toshiba Corporation. Photograph by takram design engineering
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i-channel®, i-concier® and Gotouchi Guide
© 2011–2012 NTT DOCOMO, Inc
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furin
Created for OKAMURA Design Space R 2009 by Toyo Ito & Architects, Associates and takram design engineering. Photograph by Little Taro Peter
