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

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