Japanese duo Naoki Ono and Yuki Yamamoto simply adore toying with trompe l’oeil effects in their designs: the image of a painted chair on which you can actually sit, luminaires that appear to float, light bulbs that leave a more than just visual tracer, vases disguised as books or floating sheets that reveal themselves to be shelves in reality. These days the two budding designers from Tokyo, who work in both product and interior design, are busy outfitting the "Granbell Hotel Shibuya" in Shibuya, Tokyo. To date their output includes 18 objects, of which “Canvas” and “Yoylight” are available as an edition by Innermost and the shelf-cum-armchair aptly named “Shelf” by Campeggi.
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Where would you like to live?
Naoki Ono: In a place without noise.
Yuuki Yamamoto: In the mountain surrounded by nature.
Your favorite character in the history of design?
Naoki Ono: Sanaa.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Apple.
Which qualities do you admire in a designer?
Naoki Ono: They give us surprises.
Yuuki Yamamoto: They like to make someone delighted.
What do you enjoy doing most?
Naoki Ono: When I am thinking of new ideas.
Yuuki Yamamoto: When I am making something with my hands.
Your main personality trait?
Naoki Ono: Be strict with what I make.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Investigating things until I understand.
Your biggest mistake?
Naoki Ono: Compromise on design.
Yuuki Yamamoto: None.
Your idea of happiness?
Naoki Ono: Peaceful days.
Yuuki Yamamoto: When I am moved by something.
What do you find really annoying?
Naoki Ono: Being too busy.
Yuuki Yamamoto: War.
Your favorite material?
Naoki Ono: Glass.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Ceramic.
Your favorite flower?
Naoki Ono: Dandelion.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Cherry Blossom.
What kind of music do you listen to when you work?
Naoki Ono: None.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Instrumental music.
Which design achievement do you most detest?
Naoki Ono: Design that needs a lot of words to explain.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Design with no beauty.
Which talent would you like to have?
Naoki Ono: Cooking.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Making music.
Can you describe your present state of mind?
Naoki Ono: I feel uneasy if people will like our new works we are designing now.
Yuuki Yamamoto: I would like many people to enjoy our new works we are designing now.
Your motto?
Naoki Ono: Leap before you look.
Yuuki Yamamoto: Always be honest.