IN CONVERSATION WITH OKI SATO

The designer behind Nendo on how playfulness, intuitive functionality and delightful surprises can bring joy to your everyday life

- BY ALLAN ABANI

"I LIKE MY DESIGN TO HAVE HUMOUR AND SURPRISE - LIKE HOW YOU ADD SPICES TO YOUR FOOD"

Why can't design loosen up a little? The thought often crosses your mind when you see Nendo's work. It's playful, whimsical and out of the box. It's irrevocably good design, yet as effortless as the summer breeze. “I consider the Japanese manga series Doraemon to be my ‘master,’” states Oki Sato, the visionary mind behind the Japanese studio. While the statement may take you by surprise, wait until you hear why: “In each story, the main character ends up in a bind and a gadget comes to his rescue. He's not the smartest of the lot, but even so, he manages to use the gadgets without any manual because of intuitive design. On top of that, they have a fun and likeable appearance, yet are never perfect. This drives the development of the stories, in a way making it the optimal design.”