Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts showcases student designs blending local culture with contemporary furniture
The Department of Design at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, under the leadership of Hiroki Takada, presented student design projects. The Takada Laboratory emphasizes the integration of local culture with global design through research and prototyping. Among the showcased creations are Eito Yamanaka's Yui stool, Mizuki Chinen's Flowerblock Shelf, Yuki Nakasone's Bee tray, and Hiroto Nakamura's Airom lighting installation. Additional designs include Yuimi Yonesu's Ki-ri stool, Erina Oshiro's Jellyfish Table, Yuina Nakada's PoinT stool, Yuuna Yamashiro's Strings stool, Minori Furugen's Flower Basket Stool, Saya Takamine's Cube, and Sen Itoman's FlipFlipFlip board. The laboratory has earned several iF Design Awards and A' Design Awards, focusing on personalized mentoring for original projects and preparing students for global presentations.
Key facts
- The Yui stool by Eito Yamanaka is inspired by ayatori, a traditional Japanese string game.
- The Takada Laboratory at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts is led by tutor Hiroki Takada.
- Student projects include furniture, lighting, and storage items blending local Okinawan culture with design.
- The laboratory emphasizes exhibition-ready outcomes for international contexts like SaloneSatellite in Milan.
- Students have received multiple iF Design Awards and A' Design Awards.
- The Bee tray by Yuki Nakasone uses reclaimed wood from storm-damaged trees in Okinawa.
- The Flowerblock Shelf by Mizuki Chinen references traditional Okinawan architectural 'flower blocks'.
- The Airom lighting installation by Hiroto Nakamura visualizes air through hand-formed tracing paper shades.
Entities
Artists
- Eito Yamanaka
- Hiroto Nakamura
- Yuimi Yonesu
- Erina Oshiro
- Mizuki Chinen
- Yuina Nakada
- Yuuna Yamashiro
- Minori Furugen
- Saya Takamine
- Yuki Nakasone
- Sen Itoman
- Hiroki Takada
Institutions
- Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts
- Dezeen
- SaloneSatellite
Locations
- Okinawa
- Japan
- Milan
- Italy
Sources
- Dezeen —