Research AssessmentDesigners and Their Work5/2/2011
Satoshi Yanagisawa
Satoshi Yanagisawais a Japanese designer, living and working in Farnham, United Kingdom. He has many designs but only recently has he created the “Cyclus”.
“I have designed a product called ‘Cyclus’, which is a portable power generator you can use when you need to charge your smaller gadgets such as mobile devices on the go.”
The factors affecting the design and the produce of this product came in truckloads.
“I had to get it just right, and I changed my design completely from the original!”
Satoshi explained.
Satoshi is aproduct, concept and industrial designer.He manufactures goods and preparing for a worldwide distribution of the product, for example the‘Cyclus’.
Most of his products are in the last phases of designing and is being brought to life in result of an act/processas a commercial product.
Satoshi works in an office located in the UK. In the overseas phone call I made to him, we talked about how he does his work, including the management and process of making the specific design of the ‘Cyclus.’ He makes other designs such as portable refrigerated bottles and unheard of ideas like Social ‘Waterbottles.’
In our conversation on his work and design I asked a few specific questions:
What designing career are you looking to aim for?
I am currently developing my professional career as an industrial designer. A higher diploma is something that has always interested me, but at the moment I am seeking the right place to do it.
What types of designs have you created in your designing career?
All you have to do is twist the bottom circular component of the device and it will provide electricity for 30 minutes. For this, it uses a reliable technology where a ‘spring’ function as a main power source, together with a 12v DC motor in order convert kinetic energy in to electricity.
What has influenced you to design your ‘Cyclus’ design?
Any sort of energy issues in reducing carbon emission have been addressed as critical factor if further sustainable development.
Why and how are you going to help the environment?
Designers should design our own representation for incremental change, to allow for the next paradigm shift for the green conscious society. A number of institutions, developers and eco-conscious practitioners have been trying to find a solution in this particular part of the market.
This product also has good potential in developing community, as they have increasing energy needs for lighting and telecommunication, and I believe it.
This information shows how Satoshi is innovative to his line of work.
What is the Basic field of products?
Satoshi is basically in the renewable energy, technology and food/drink appliances. For example, his new design ‘Cepia’. This is a social comunication water bottle, this is still in the early stages of designing.
Satoshi says;
“This is a uniquely shaped water bottle concept, designed with the aim of being used as a stimulus package for the general market, provoking an interest and thereby visually communicating an idea.”
His most innovative and recent new design is the ‘Cyclus’with his push to bring renewable energy into society!
There is an overlap of skills and qualities in design professions in Satoshi’s line of work because of innovation and some limited possibilities and also usually the effects on the environment is a quality in design professions because designers have a whole new area of work.
Question to Satoshi: The four most important personal qualities you have?
- ABLE TO WORK ALONE.
I can plan my own work without people telling me what to do. And I can work by myself in the areas of designing until the production stage of the process.”
- AMBITIOUS.
I keep up with the area of work that I am in, trying to innovate and keep ahead in the global market, striving for new renewable technology.
I plan my career enhancements ahead so that I am working on numorous designs because if one fails I can always fall back onto another design.
ANALYTICAL.
I have always perceived relationships and I look to my contacts to widen my establishment of my product. I have also solved problems that people did not believe I could do!
COMPETENT.
Because I work basically independently, I do not have to specifically work to a deadline, but I do work in a field of expectations and a fast moving market. I also have to keep up with other design and always making sure my work is different in some way shape or form. I believe that being innovative is what a designer needs to be and to be competent in their field of work.
Describe the design processes from initial contact with clients to final presentation.
Satoshi describes that in the process of designing when initial contact with clients or personal ideas (because he is an independent designer) he changes how he does things in his design. Some simple steps he follows are:
1st – Project Initiation
2nd – Research
3rd – Analyse and Develop ideas
4th – Develop into a design
5th – Production/Launch
The final presentation usually is different in a better way unless you can’t make some components of in the original design.
“When I am asked to design something for a client I usually have a general idea, although every design is different to my original plans and ideas. as is most other designs.”
Project managementtechniques and tools
Project Management techniques describe the ways that we gather information, communicate, and generally get things done in the most efficient and effective way. Satoshi’s techniques include:
- Set goals
- Deadlines
- Improve ALL original design
- Research market
- Is it a need/want? This helps you know what area or products you are looking to design.
“My project management techniques are to set goals and meet them with a more advanced ideas a specifications to my original plans and ideas.”
Compareand contrast techniques and processes used in school projects to that used in industrial and commercial settings.
Techniques and processes used in school projects to the ones in industrial and commercial settings is the way it is made. Usually in commercial/industrial settings it is mass produced in large factories.
Also the design specifications may be different considering how it can be made in larger production lines. Although the process of designing is similar in the way we may bring ideas together.
“We may look at similar aspects of designing” said Satoshi.
The similar aspects of designing areour planning and research for purpose and innovation in new designs. The process used in school projects is very similar as it is the same method just at a lower scale in many different ways.
For Example:
- Research
- Designing
- The Making of the product could be similar
- Project completion
- Expectations
Bibliography
Title Page Image (Image 1 + 2+3)
- OvidiuSandru, 2/2/ 2011,Cyclus[Online],Green electronics, Unknown,
4/02/2011,
Page 2 Image (Image 4)
- Ovidiu, Sandru, 2/2/ 2011,Cyclus, Green electronics, Unknown, 4/02/2011,
Product Information
1.OvidiuSandru, 2/2/ 2011,Cyclus[Online],Green electronics, Unknown, 4/02/2011, /
2.Yanagisawa, Satoshi. (2011). Cyclus. Last accessed 15 Mar 2011,
3. Yanagisawa, Satoshi. Cepia. Last accessed 16 Mar 2011,
4. Questions were answered by Satoshi Yanagisawa personally from the UK.
Questions are not in order to questions on pre-amble.
Henry LockeYear 11Design & Technology