INSIGHTS

2019.01.31

R&D DISCUSSION Vol. 06

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 2]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION TOP

Q: Please tell us about other public transportation projects you have worked on besides the Shinkansen.

A: We designed the vehicle for the "Tokyo → Dream Downtown Bus" tourist route bus (2008-) for foreign tourists visiting Japan [Figure 1]. Our goal with this bus was to have passengers fill up from the back seats without announcements. Few passengers are willing to climb the steps to get to the back seats on route buses, and they tend to concentrate on the seats near the boarding and alighting doors. We therefore removed the psychological barrier by devising the exterior and interior design of the bus. When you look at this bus from the outside, you can see a distinctive round window at the very back. First, you want passengers to have a sense of anticipation for the view from the round window. When you get on, the interior is designed with handrails that each have a different curvature, and the fan-shaped seats and their arrangement make the seats appear wider as you move towards the back seats. This has made it so that the seats naturally fill up from the back seats. The power of design is that it can encourage people to move by devising shapes rather than forcing them with rules. Approaches from the realm of the mind that incorporate knowledge from cognitive psychology and brain science, such as optical illusions and affordances, are spreading not only in industrial design but also in various fields of design. Isn't the same true for architecture?
If we only consider the manufacturing costs, it is more expensive than usual, but we made it happen by considering even the invisible flow of people, such as bus turnover, easing traffic jams, and mechanisms for repeat customers. Sometimes the high price of parts alone can prevent discussions from moving forward, but I always think that it is important to share the brand concept with everyone on the team.

[Figure 1] Tokyo → Dream Downtown Bus The sense of security created by the perspective effect "encourages good manners"

Q: Is there anything you keep in mind when coming up with ideas?

A: When I give lectures and other events, I often ask the audience to draw a picture of an egg, and to my surprise, most people draw eggs vertically. And they draw chicken eggs. Why is this? When I ask them why they draw eggs vertically, many people answer, "Because that's what we usually see." This is probably because eggs are packed vertically in containers on the sales floor, and they are stored that way in the refrigerator at home. It seems that we unconsciously form an image of a vertical shape from our daily lives. When coming up with ideas, it is necessary to free ourselves from such stereotypes. For the theme of "drawing an egg," a vertical chicken egg is not the only correct answer. There are 10,000 species of birds, and the size, color, and pattern of eggs vary widely. It's not limited to birds, it could also be eggs of fish, insects, or amphibians. When coming up with ideas, even if you arrive at what you think is the answer, it's important to think it over two or three times. Don't stop thinking. There is not just one correct answer [Figure 2].

Although I did not design it, I would like to give an example of a product with a great idea. In the hand washing area of a public restroom, water droplets sometimes splash and stain the floor and counter. This problem was solved by the Autobowl hand washing machine, which is equipped with not only the water outlet of the faucet, but also the hand soap outlet and the hand dryer outlet. The action from washing hands to drying them is completed within one bowl, so no splashes are generated, and the product can be assembled in one factory. This also reduces the packaging required for distribution, the number of truck trips, and CO2 emissions. It is an excellent product that makes cleaning easier and has less waste in terms of resource use. I think this product was not born from the design of each part, but was born from someone thinking about what the toilet itself should be at some point. I think it is important to always go back to the origin of the proposition.

[Figure 2] There are many answers to the question "Drawing an Egg" Turn your "inspiration" into "excitement."

Q: What does it take to create something together with people from different fields?

A: I think my role in collaborating with many people is to make "hypothesis proposals" for the future. Rather than immediately coming to a conclusion on our own, we propose a vision of the future as a basis for encouraging discussion of the project. To do this, we also read "technology roadmaps" created by think tanks and companies around the world to learn about trends in engineering technology. When making a proposal, we always draw a "scene sketch" [Figure 3]. For example, when designing a table, we don't think about the shape, but rather think about the new scene in which the table will be used. This picture will attract new materials and lightweight parts and other technological developments like a magnet when they are developed later. What's important is to move forward with dreams and goals for the future. We make proposals that will become a "picture" that will shape the future, share it with the team, and use each of our networks to gather information. That editing ability is important. Until now, in general manufacturing, the mainstream approach was to analyze the past, set clear goals, and then move forward with them. This is essential to ensure safety. However, in today's age, I think that a hypothesis proposal approach that depicts what the future should be is also necessary. Rather than living in accordance with what we have, we think about what we have in mind for a sustainable society and ideal lifestyle. We want to think about manufacturing by combining both problem-solving and hypothesis-proposing approaches.

The skills required for a team project that crosses fields of expertise are communication skills, teamwork, continuous research ability, and drive. The words you use to share information effectively with people from different fields and proceed with a sense of understanding are also important. When talking to engineers, it is better to share your engineering knowledge before speaking. Recently, I have been trying to use softer words in my proposals, such as using Japanese language [Figure 4]. I also often go to Kyoto, and I try to look closely at things that have remained in Japanese history at temples, shrines, and museums. I look closely until I understand why they have remained until today. For example, when I was sketching the five-story pagoda at Toji Temple, I observed the outline of the pagoda, and realized that there was not a single flowing line there, but rather that it was all made up of small, complex bumps. Perhaps the outline played a part in the tower's ability to withstand the wind and snow for a thousand years. It was also the moment when observation led to inspiration. I think that repeating such observations leads to finding "goodness" that can be shared with others. Combining knowledge with people from other fields to create wisdom - this is design sense, and I believe it is essential to creating a rich lifestyle and culture.

[Figure 3] Scene sketches are a basis for discussion
A future meeting scene drawn 30 years ago.
[Figure 4] A Shinkansen train with a coloring concept based on The Pillow Book
He speaks of Japanese color and logical persuasion through Yamato kotoba and tanka poetry.
"The Job of Designing Shinkansen" (SB Creative/2015).
[Figures 1 to 4: Provided by Tetsuo Fukuda]
Back to Part 1

PROFILE

Industrial Designer

Tetsuo Fukuda

Tetsuo Fukuda

Born in Tokyo in 1949. After leaving Nissan Motors, he has been involved in a wide range of design projects, mainly for public transportation and industrial equipment. As a member of the Transportation Design Organization (TDO), he has participated in numerous advanced development projects for Shinkansen trains, including the 300 Series, 700 Series, and N700 Series "Nozomi," as well as the 400 Series "Tsubasa," E2 Series "Asama," E1 Series, and E4 Series "MAX." He is currently a Professor Emeritus at the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology, a Visiting Professor at Kyoto Seika University, and a part-time lecturer at Nagoya Institute of Technology. He is a Good Design Fellow at the Japan Design Promotion Organization (JDP), a public interest incorporated foundation. His books include "The Work of Designing the Shinkansen" (SB Creative).

OTHER DISCUSSIONS

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.56

Mind change――
Aiming for a company that will develop into the future [Part 2]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.55

Mind change――
Aiming for a company that will develop into the future [Part 2]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.54

Mind change――
Aiming to become a company that will develop into the future [Part 1]

Hidehito Kawahara, President and CEO of ALFA PMC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.53

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 2]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.52

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 2]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.51

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 1]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.50

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 2]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.49

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 2]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.48

The world is full of possibilities
--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 1]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.47

Light is Life: Humans on the Solar Earth [Part 2]

Hiroyasu Shouji ShojiLighting Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.46

Light is Life: Humans on the Solar Earth [Part 1]

Hiroyasu Shouji ShojiLighting Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol45

Building fire-resistant wooden buildings [Part 2]

Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.44

Building fire-resistant wooden buildings [Part 1]

Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.43

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.42

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.41

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 1]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.40

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 2]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.39

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 1]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.38

Japan's Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050 [Part 2]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.37

Japan's strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 [Part 1]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.36

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 2]

Yasushi Takeuchi Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd. (2022-)

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.35

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 1]

Yasushi Takeuchi, Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.34

Before-Before Architecture Theory
Design techniques that unravel history [Part 2]

Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.33

Before-Before Architecture Theory
Design techniques that unravel history [Part 1]

Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.32

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Turning aquariums into "media" through a customer-centric approach

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.31

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 2]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.30

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 1]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.29

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era Vol.2 [Part 2]

Takayuki Hirai
Deputy Director of the CHO Office at DeNA Co., Ltd.; Representative of Ibuki LLC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.28

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era vol.2 [Part 1]

Takayuki Hirai
Deputy Director of the CHO Office at DeNA Co., Ltd.; Representative of Ibuki LLC

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.27

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 2]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.26

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 1]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.25

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.24

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.23

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 1]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.22

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 2]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.21

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 1]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.20

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.19

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.18

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 1]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.17

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 2]

Masaji Ito + Kenji Maruyama Theater Workshop Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.16

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 1]

Masaji Ito + Kenji Maruyama Theater Workshop Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.15

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 2]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.14

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 1]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.13

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 2]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.12

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 1]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.11

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.10

A workplace that fosters innovation
If the environment changes, the way you work will change [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.09

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 1]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.08

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
ESG Investment and Wellness Offices [Part 2]

Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.07

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
ESG Investment and Wellness Offices [Part 1]

Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.06

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 2]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.05

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 1]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.04

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 2]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.03

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 1]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.02

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 2]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.01

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 1]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation
R&D TOP

Update : 2018.09.21

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