Plants can add a refreshing, lively feeling to your workspace or home. Fumie Shibata is the product designer of SACCO and other KINTO collections such as UNITEA. We visited her office to ask about the plants in her workspace and about the design of SACCO glass vase.
-Your office feels nice and airy. Is there a concept for the space?
I wanted to create a professional but comfortable working environment. We moved here last fall, and I love the large windows and the view of beautiful trees outside. This nature outside was a big factor when deciding on this space. Inside, I opted for an open floor plan to maintain a sense of spaciousness and also to encourage a seamless workflow. I keep many plants in the office because they ease the atmosphere. I prefer greenery that aren't overly decorative, so we have more foliage plants rather than cut flowers, like ferns and rubber trees. I enjoy my time spraying the plants with water.
I wanted to create a professional but comfortable working environment. We moved here last fall, and I love the large windows and the view of beautiful trees outside. This nature outside was a big factor when deciding on this space. Inside, I opted for an open floor plan to maintain a sense of spaciousness and also to encourage a seamless workflow. I keep many plants in the office because they ease the atmosphere. I prefer greenery that aren't overly decorative, so we have more foliage plants rather than cut flowers, like ferns and rubber trees. I enjoy my time spraying the plants with water.
-Do you pick the plants on your own?
Yes, I usulally go to the flower shop about once a week. Even when I don't buy, I like to drop by just to feel the change of seasons. Sometimes I also get plants as gifts. I love getting a plant that reflects the taste or mood of the person who gave it to me. One gift that left an impression on me was a cherry blossom branch packaged inside a box made of paulownia wood. It was really intriguing.
Yes, I usulally go to the flower shop about once a week. Even when I don't buy, I like to drop by just to feel the change of seasons. Sometimes I also get plants as gifts. I love getting a plant that reflects the taste or mood of the person who gave it to me. One gift that left an impression on me was a cherry blossom branch packaged inside a box made of paulownia wood. It was really intriguing.
-How did the design of the SACCO vase in glass come about?
My goal was to work with the inherent qualities of glass to create an organic and dynamic feel. I wanted to keep the simplicity of a vase, but also make it appealing when it stands on its own. Achieving the desired quality with the unique forms was a great challenge. To create a fresh look with glass, the KINTO product development team and I decided on the cased glass technique. The white base layer inside helps to highlight the surface color gradation and the distinct shape. I think we were able to create a vase that is eye-catching yet chic. Personally I think it goes well with simple flowers or stems with interesting silhouettes.
My goal was to work with the inherent qualities of glass to create an organic and dynamic feel. I wanted to keep the simplicity of a vase, but also make it appealing when it stands on its own. Achieving the desired quality with the unique forms was a great challenge. To create a fresh look with glass, the KINTO product development team and I decided on the cased glass technique. The white base layer inside helps to highlight the surface color gradation and the distinct shape. I think we were able to create a vase that is eye-catching yet chic. Personally I think it goes well with simple flowers or stems with interesting silhouettes.
[PROFILE]
Fumie Shibata
Established DESIGN STUDIO S in 1994. With a strong focus on industrial design, she is active in a wide range of areas, from designing electronics and healthcare products to acting as creative director for a hotel. She has also published the monograph "Forms within Forms".
Design Studio S
Fumie Shibata
Established DESIGN STUDIO S in 1994. With a strong focus on industrial design, she is active in a wide range of areas, from designing electronics and healthcare products to acting as creative director for a hotel. She has also published the monograph "Forms within Forms".
Design Studio S