Backstory
Awakening the Raw Material: A Dialogue with Oji Masanori
It’s 3pm on a pleasant Tokyo afternoon, our train intercom prompts us that JR Kawagoe station is approaching. We were told to wait at the station for a ride that will bring us to the studios of Oji & Design. Once we debark…
Joining Forces with Armando Rafael Moutela
Some of you have been wondering who takes the beautiful photographs on Nalata Nalata, so we wanted to introduce him to you. Meet our very good friend Armando Rafael Moutela. We’ve…
Design Insights: A Conversation with Rina Ono
I first meet Rina Ono awaiting me at the exit of the JR Kawagoe Station, when I arrive to this distant borough of Tokyo. It’s always a thrill for me to meet fellow designers, but particularly when one has designed…
Joining Forces with Donell Hutson
We’ve teamed up with illustrator Donell Hutson! I’ve known Donell since our days in the Graduate Industrial Design program at the Pratt Institute. He is one of the most talented…
In the Presence of Makoto Koizumi: A Glimpse into the Studio
It’s not everyday you get an opportunity to meet a legendary designer, so on my commute to the Makoto Koizumi Studio on the east side of Tokyo, I remember feeling like I had the best job in the world…
The Art of Charcuterie: An OnOurTable Spotlight
My first encounter with Geoffrey Lilge was about 7 years ago in a woodshop on the campus of the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada). I remember distinctly that he was…
Bend and Hold: Maintaining Traditions at Saito Wood
Awaiting me at the exit of the Shizuoka train station, Takuya welcomes me with a slight bow of the head and a firm handshake. He was able to pick me out of a crowd of more than fifty people getting off the Shinkansen…
Under the Same Umbrella: Three Generations of the Umbrella Shop
Caught unexpectedly during a rainstorm on Granville Island in Vancouver, we duck into into a small shop with the most cheerful staff and colorful umbrellas. The atmosphere…
An Inspired Process: A Portrait of Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co.
The subtle scent of turned wood lingers in the air as we first entered the studio of Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co. Wood shaped on a lathe always leaves its mark with shavings on…