Designing Design | Kenya Hara | Talks at Google

Summary

Kenia Hara, a renowned Japanese designer, discusses the concept of 'emptiness' in Japanese culture, emphasizing its role in design, communication, and aesthetics. He explores its application in various fields, including the tea ceremony and the Muji brand, highlighting how emptiness serves as a creative receptacle for multiple interpretations and meanings.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Kenya Hara is a prominent designer, author, and professor known for his emphasis on the concept of emptiness in Japanese culture and its application to design.
• 🏛 Hara designed the opening and closing ceremonies for the Nagano Winter Olympics and has significantly influenced the identity of the Japanese label Muji.
• 📚 His book 'Designing Design' highlights the importance of emptiness in visual and philosophical Japanese traditions, and his newest book 'Shira' discusses the concept of white in Japan.
• 🤔 Emptiness is a fundamental aspect of Japanese culture, differing from Western simplicity, and is seen as a backbone of aesthetic sensibility.
• 🌱 The ancient Japanese belief in 'kami' or gods as part of nature reflects a deep spiritual connection with the natural world, influencing cultural practices.
• 🏚️ The 'Shinto shrine' structure exemplifies emptiness, with its central open space inviting the gods, symbolizing the potential for divine presence.
• 🔄 The concept of 'Ise Jingu,' a shrine rebuilt every 20 years, demonstrates the Japanese approach to tradition and the passage of time through renewal rather than preservation.
• 🗣️ Communication in Japan often relies on indirectness and the use of emptiness to convey meaning, allowing for a shared understanding without explicit statements.
• 🎌 The Japanese national flag, with its red circle on a white background, serves as an example of emptiness as a symbol open to various interpretations.
• 🍵 The tea ceremony (chanoyu) is a practice that embodies the aesthetic of emptiness, using minimalism to create a space for shared experience and imagination.
• 🛒 Muji's design philosophy is rooted in the concept of emptiness, aiming to create products that are simple yet versatile, allowing for individual interpretation and use.

Q & A

Who is Kenya Hara and what is his profession?

Kenya Hara is an author, graphic designer, professor at the Art Institute Musashino in Japan, and a communication advisor for the Japanese label Muji. He is known for his work in communication design and his emphasis on the concept of emptiness in Japanese culture.

What is the significance of emptiness in Kenya Hara's design philosophy?

Emptiness is the backbone of Kenya Hara's aesthetic sensibility. He believes it is the implicit foundation of various aspects of Japanese culture, including architecture, design, communication, and gardens. Emptiness, in his view, holds endless possibilities and is a key element in creating a memory or identity in design.

How does Kenya Hara's work with Muji reflect his design philosophy?

Kenya Hara has helped shape Muji's identity as a communication and design advisor. His influence can be seen in the brand's minimalist and functional design approach, which aligns with his belief in the power of emptiness and simplicity in design.

What is the concept of 'Ma' in Japanese culture and how does it relate to emptiness?

'Ma' is a concept in Japanese culture that refers to the deliberate act of leaving empty spaces or gaps. It is related to emptiness as it represents the potential and possibility that comes from not filling every space, allowing for a sense of balance and harmony.

How does Kenya Hara describe the difference between emptiness and simplicity?

According to Kenya Hara, emptiness and simplicity are distinct concepts. Emptiness is not merely the absence of something but a space that holds potential and possibility. Simplicity, on the other hand, is a more recent concept in human history and is often associated with minimalism and functionality.

What is the role of 'Shinto shrines' in Kenya Hara's discussion on emptiness?

Shinto shrines serve as a physical manifestation of the concept of emptiness in Japan. The central structure of a shrine, known as 'Shinmei,' is empty, symbolizing the potential for divine presence. This emptiness is seen as a gateway for communication between humans and the divine.

What is the significance of the 'torii' in Shinto shrines?

The 'torii' is the entrance gate to a Shinto shrine. It is a simple structure that symbolizes a gate of emptiness, marking the transition from the mundane to the sacred. It represents the idea of passing through emptiness to connect with the divine.

How does Kenya Hara relate the concept of emptiness to communication?

Kenya Hara suggests that emptiness is a powerful tool in communication, as it allows for the sharing of information and feelings without the need for explicit content. It is about creating a space for dialogue and understanding, where participants can fill the emptiness with their own interpretations and responses.

What is the concept of 'Matataki' in the context of Japanese communication?

'Matataki' is a Japanese concept that refers to a non-verbal, empathetic form of communication. It is about understanding and responding to the unspoken cues and atmosphere, which is facilitated by the concept of emptiness in communication.

How does Kenya Hara view the Japanese national flag in terms of emptiness?

Kenya Hara sees the Japanese national flag, with its red circle on a white background, as an embodiment of emptiness. The circle carries no inherent meaning and is open to various interpretations, reflecting the idea that emptiness can hold a multitude of meanings and ideas.

What is the connection between the concept of emptiness and the Muji brand philosophy?

The Muji brand philosophy is deeply connected to the concept of emptiness. Muji products are designed to be simple and minimalist, serving as 'empty vessels' that can be filled with the user's own interpretations and uses, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic of simplicity and emptiness.