THIS IS ME
01.cue
Trigger 2020.03
It all started when the world was hit by the raging coronavirus and our lives changed completely.
As people spend more time at home, there has been a boom in decluttering.
But if I'm suddenly forced to work remotely or spend time at home, and I can't go out or eat out, will I be able to live without stress?
In Japan, most people live in a cramped environment in the city center.
I started thinking about something every day: ``What I can do.''
02.found it!
This is it! I thought... 2020.06-2020.11
What is the space in your home where your family can spend time without stress and where you can concentrate on work?
Is it possible to easily create a small private room like a telephone booth? What's the size? What is the material? What about lighting? Will there be a ceiling? What about the power supply? What about air conditioning? ...I consulted various people, drew drawings many times, and thought about it.
Everyone I talked to supported me... but I realized that it wasn't really a good fit for me. Then I realized that it would be difficult to bring it to a widespread level on my own due to the budget, so I gave up.
03.trial&error
Days of trial and error 2020.11-2021.02
I went back to zero and reconsidered. How can you create a stress-free space that doesn't feel oppressive in a small space?
I looked around and thought about various things. I saw a screen in a certain showroom...the price was 3 million.
For some reason, I couldn't get it out of my head. Then I saw the screen again in another showroom...
Also, by coming into contact with a lot of works by overseas designers that are inspired by Japan, my eyes were once again drawn to the wonders of "Japanese beauty"...
Having been involved in the interior design industry, due to recent changes in lifestyle, the number of renovations that involve eliminating Japanese-style rooms and replacing them with Western-style rooms has only increased.
04. restart
Fresh start 2021.03
While searching for points...
Screen + Japanese + Maintaining Japanese technology
= I set my path to ``creating a modern version of folding screens'' and started working again.
05.mission
Mission 2021.03~
``Making a modern version of a folding screen''...The first thing I thought about was the ``color of the frame'' and ``upholstery'' to match the modern interior. And above all, the size. I thought and thought over and over again and drew the drawings, and here we go! Go to the craftsman. Days of consulting and thinking...
``What should we do here?'' ``What about here?'' ``What should we do here?'' Ancient folding screens are produced through an incredible process.
What I aimed for was a ``modern version of the folding screen'' without sacrificing quality or technique.
I also visited museums, looked at the original construction of folding screens, and researched and worried.
But is it a breather? Choosing the art materials for the ``modern version of the folding screen'' (I got excited imagining the finished product while escaping the pain of real life while choosing the materials) was a very enjoyable moment.
It was a series of days where we had fun and faced challenges.
The most difficult hurdle was, "How do we finish the hinges?" I've been trying dozens of different possibilities and failing for months on end...I was on the verge of giving up. But why? I didn't have the slightest choice of ``giving up.'' What is this? I even felt like I was being moved. The craftsman (Mr. Ishii) even said, ``I can't answer to you.''
No, it wasn't that I couldn't give up, but rather that I couldn't back down.
Another hurdle was the finish and color of the paint.
I worked hard for many months on the principle of not sacrificing quality or technique.
Finally, two prototypes were completed in August 2021.
Naming consideration - trademark registration application, lineup consideration, concept, website consideration..., business plan creation...
06.accident
Incident 2021.09
There was something unusual about one of the prototypes. In a panic, I rushed to the hospital to see the craftsman. As a result of the artisan's diagnosis, we were told that this prototype would only require seppuku, and the first prototype had a short lifespan of one month, so we gave it to us in order to create a better product in the future. He dedicated himself to us.
We were able to identify the cause, which led to the next prototype.
07.sample
Prototype 2nd and 3rd 2021.11~
2021.11 Three new prototypes completed.
2021.12 Four new prototypes completed...I'm overwhelmed with emotion.
And...Logo production, handling regulations, warranty, business plan creation, business card creation, brochure, package design, cardboard, cushioning material, thankyouletter
And above all, business...
08.Challenge!
New challenge 2022.02~
A new challenge that has been running since February 2022. The idea is to have it adopted as a "hometown tax return gift."
This challenge was not easy. There are just so many things that make me feel depressed.
We were able to hire one location just before the website was released.
All you have to do is research and analyze and move forward. And I am truly grateful to have people around me who always support me.
Something a Youtuber I watched recently said to me, and it stuck in my head. "God likes bold people"
Life ends when you give up. There is always a dream that you have drawn ahead!
The Challenge continues...
09.YES!
Yay~ 2022.05.10
On May 10, 2022, I received an email from a patent attorney that said "Congratulations"...
Yay! Report that trademark registration has been registered.
The early application for a registered trademark that I had submitted in July 2021 was returned with a "rejection" result from the Japan Patent Office in December, and I was also removed from the early application, so I was in a hurry to think of the next step and reapply...
It's been 10 months since the first procedure...I heard it would take about a year, but it was really long.
Is this a world of self-satisfaction? ® mark attached.
10.Life is survival
Life is survival 2022.05
Life is survival... but I learned that I am not alone. There is always someone who can lend a hand.
The challenges continue.