Design expressed through the emotions of Tokujin Yoshioka

Being of few words becomes an asset when dealing with Tokujin Yoshioka. The products and works by the Japanese designer describe themselves through a language that can be understood by everyone: the language of emotions. “Messages are not expressed by the materiality of the objects I make, but by the feeling they can convey. Anyone who approaches my products and my works must feel amazed,” he continues. “We need a kind of design that transcends the idea of form and is able to enrich and bring happiness to our lives.” His talent can surpass the confines of mere design and is able to fulfil itself thanks to the perception of the users. 

His presence at the Salone del Mobile 2018 is a must, with the final version of Matrix for Kartell: an elegant chair, the result of creative and experimental ideas: “Before designing the form of Matrix, I thought about a new three-dimensional structure that could offer the maximum expression to plastic. This chair was built with innovative Kartell technology: an injection moulding technique through which I was able to give a spectacular yet light look to the chair. I believe that today it’s really hard to find technologically innovative furniture like this, and with Matrix I rediscovered the real value of design!”

Tokujin continues his collaboration this year as well with Glas Italia with the collection Starlight, composed of a series of end tables and mirrors, the greatest expression of the beauty of glass and the outcome of in-depth research by the designer on crystals and their refractive properties: “I used some prismatic members where you could perceive the transparency and shininess of glass,” he says. At Palazzo Bocconi we find him with Blossom Stool: a series of chairs inspired by the petals of the Louis Vuitton monogram that are part of the Object Nomades: a collection in constant expansion of limited-edition furnishing accessories that express contemporary nomadism.