PHILOSOPHY
Design is the arrangement of a series of goals into tangible forms. Kono Designs communicates concept through function and materiality.
The essential principles of design overarch all its disciplines, from architecture and environmental design, to product and graphic design. The essence of design spans every sphere of life.
When design unites the twin goals of improving life and business practice, it engenders beauty and crosses the boundaries of time to take on a life of its own.
PROFILE
Born and raised in Japan, Yoshimi Kono studied architecture in Tokyo. He was a chief designer with Shigeru Uchida at Studio 80 in Tokyo and later became partner at Vignelli Associates in New York.
He founded Kono Designs in January 2000, a practice active in architecture, interior design, corporate identity, graphics and product design. Examples of his work have appeared in numerous national and international publications including Abitare, Interni, Domus, Casa Vogue, Hinge, Interiors, Interior Design, and ID Magazine. He has won several awards including the 2001 Kitchen & Bath Business Product Innovator Awards for Hardware, the 1994 DDA award from the Japan Display Design Association, the 1994 and 1997 Award of Excellence from the Japan Sign Design Association, the 1995 Award for Best Design from the Japan Typography Association, the 2001, 2005 and 2011 Nikkei New Office Award from the New Office Promotion Association, the 2011 Promotion Award from Japan Facility Management Association and the 2013 Architizer A+ Awards.
SELECTED CLIENT LIST
INTERIORS
Aline, Japan
retail store for clothing accessories
Baalbeck, Japan
design concept for stores selling furniture in Japan
Carolee, USA
retail shops and displays for costume jewelry
Harada residence, Japan
private screening room in Tokyo
Harbor Circus, Japan
complete site planning, public spaces, restaurants and retail stores for a 25,000 square meter shopping and entertainment center in Kobe
Mul-T-Lock, USA
corporate Offices in NJ
NTT America, New York
corporate headquarters office
Pasona Inc., Japan
corporate offices in Tokyo and Osaka, retail stores in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe
Poltrona Frau, Italy
showrooms in headquarters and in several Italian cities
RAI Radio Televisione Italiana, Italy
set design for TG2 news program
Seventh on Sixth, USA
New York Fashion Week accessory exhibition
Sampo Jewelry, USA
corporate offices and jewelry display system
Shui Wing Co. Ltd., Hong Kong
corporate headquarters for real-estate management company
Valli & Valli, USA
showroom and corporate offices, New York, World Trade Center, Amsterdam, cafeteria and public spaces
YMI&G, New York
1,000 square meter offices for international law firm
Cybird Inc., Tokyo
corporate headquarters
Japan Tobacco International SA
Switzerland retail shops and displays
ARCHITECTURE
Pasona Inc., Japan
Tokyo headquarters building
Osaka headquarters building
Treasure Bay Oriental Development Co., China
200 meter high, 47-story, 80,000 square meter office tower in Shanghai
PRODUCT DESIGN
Brother International, USA
fax machine and label printer
Casigliani s.r.l., Italy
coffee table
OUN Corporation, Japan
telephone and desk accessories
Sasaki America Corp., USA
flatware
Valli & Valli s.r.l., Italy
door and window hardware
Chilewich Sultan LLC, USA
textile
AF New York, USA
bathroom and kitchen hardware
GRAPHICS
Aprica – children’s gear, Japan
corporate identity program
Baalbek International – furniture retail shops, Japan
logo, corporate identity and marketing materials
BCA Resources – textile consulting company, USA
logo and corporate identity
Case Study Shop – home accessories shop, Tokyo
logo and corporate identity
Football Association of Japan
official entry proposal for FIFA World Cup 2002
JFLA – Holding company, Tokyo
logo and corporate identity
Kanebo Cosmetics, Japan
packaging design
Pei Architects, New York
logo, corporate identity program, marketing materials and web site
Laluna – Caribbean resort, Grenada
logo, corporate identity, marketing materials and
web site
Laundry – women’s clothing, USA
logo, corporate identity program, garment labeling and sales materials
Misawa Homes – prefabricated housing, Japan
marketing materials and lifestyles book
Mobile Cast – information technologies, Japan
logo, corporate identity program and marketing materials
Pasona Inc. – human resources services, Japan
logo and corporate identity program
Piani Rossi Winery, Italy
wine labels
Shiseido Cosmetics, Japan
international branding concept and packaging design
Special Olympics 2005, USA
logo and corporate identity for 2005 game in Japan
Sugimoto Foundation – art foundation, USA
corporate identity
World Wide Group – developer, USA
corporate brochure, development package