Meet the Designers

NoteMaker is lucky enough to stock some amazing stationery brands that have been conceived of, designed and developed by creatives both locally and overseas.

We want to celebrate their talent by introducing you to their philosophy, ideas behind their designs and what makes them want to create day after day….

Hyonsuk O – MMMG Designer

Nature, the past, film, fashion, music – things that I am curious about at every moment. It excites me to imagine a lot of these things.

My favourite MMMG product which I’ve designed is the Drawing Book. A strong, flexible fabric is used for the illustrated cover, and the blank pages inside have full consideration of the product’s uses. I have spent most of my sketch times with the Drawing Book. The MMMG Facepocket is also very special to me.

It is hard to choose one designer or their work especially because I get inspired by designers from various fields. Mostly I have more interest in designers of fashion than in product designers. Names like Alexander Mcqueen, Walter van Beirendonck and Vivienne Westwood I have been fond of for quite a time.

Going to vintage markets is my favourite past time outside of work.

I get mysterious enjoyment when I see the scene and collage of past times. My interest is strong enough that it is my wish to have a vintage shop in the future someday.

Paul Smith – Rhodia Designer

You can find inspiration in everything and if you can’t, look again. I always carry a camera with me and use it as a visual diary everyday along with my Rhodia notebook. They are the 2 things I am never without.

[For the Rhodia 75th birthday collection] I tried to draw sketches that had a sense of fun and also a relevance in so me way to me – the drawings are simple, child like. The type of work you would find in a sketch
book.

The old fashioned camera sketch is based on a camera my father used to use. He was an avid amateur photographer and especially liked to take photographs of still life.

I am also a big collector of art and photography and so the picture frame is very much part of my everyday life and that is why I used this image.

A lot of people today use the internet for getting information about what is happening in the world and news events, but I still enjoy reading a newspaper with my coffee in the morning.

Jung A Yoon – O-Check Designer

At school I studied in visual communication design, and enjoyed studying about 2D layouts and editorial design. But to tell the truth,I had never thought about being a stationery designer at first. I actually said that in my interview, I thought I was so stupid when it finished! But I got the job, and I am always thankful.

I love thin, pocket sized notebooks, as I like the impacts of small simple things. I keep collecting them. Almost anything can be a source of inspiration, from my desk in the morning or the streetlights
in the evening… Every image can pass, and suddenly one day comes up as an idea.

As a designer I admire the work of Naoto Fukasawa. The products he designs are beautiful, simple, convenient and a have wit inside, all combined.

It is fascinating that we can communicate by design, and that we don’t have walls between other countries with design. I feel I have more to do than I have done, and want to concentrate on every moment to create more fun things in the world…

Thank you for listening to my story!

Damien – Telegram Designer

My ultimate design project was the stunning, giant sized Telegram World Map.

The goal was to produce a world map that gave people the opportunity to loose themselves in a far away place, to create dreams of travel and adventure.

I admire the work of the National Geographic Cartographic Division. The style they use on their maps is timeless and the maps they produce are thorough and beautifully presented.

The single greatest thing about being a cartographer is the opportunity to immerse yourself in one region and discover the history, people, culture and geography of that region. The world’s natural curves and lines inspire me each day also.

I think the Geografia Memo Blocks that feature cuts to resemble contours are the coolest memo pads I have ever seen. Very very clever…

Along with my iPhone and running shoes, I’d go mad without my passport. Without it I wouldn’t be able to explore the world and travel!

Hayashi and Yasunishi – Geografia Designer

We both studied at design school after completing degrees in Social Science and Economics at University. The inspiration for designing the Geografia Memo Block and Ring Notebooks came from seeing the wonderful technology of the manufacturer. Day to day inspiration also comes from the hope of connecting designed product with someone’s smile.

The industrial designer Achilles Castiglioni is our most respected designer. We love his playful use of everyday materials and attitude to design in general.

Aside from design, the earth, our friends and the glow of the evening are some of our favourite things.

Hiyashi: and my cat – she is infinitely pretty.

Kazumi Shiraishi – Delfonics Designer

I liked stationery from childhood, and have always enjoyed drawing and creating things. Though as a child I wanted to be an art teacher – it was a university professor who first opened my eyes to design.

When I realised I was interested in design, I knew it was in stationery, specifically, like notebooks, letter sets, and so on.

My favourite designers are Aoi Huber Kono and Alexander Girard. I have a signed copy of Kono’s book io, aoi, it’s one of my most loved items. Her designs are excellent and warm.

My Satore boots are another favourite item, they help show that my legs are thin!

Koji Iyama – MT Masking Tape Designer

After graduating from Tama Art University, I worked freelance at Nippon Design Centre before working with stationery. I now work with Kamoi, and designing for Masking Tape.

Of all that I have worked on, “mt” is my favourite design! It’s an excellent and functional product. It really is quite usable in any situation.

I take inspiration for “mt” from various colours and tones all over the world. When I am inspired I find brand new charm and interest in any object.