DESIGNER’s STORY
Born in 1942, Toshiyuki Kita begins to work for an aluminum company, developing new products.
In 1967 he decides to establish his design office, starting his research on lifestyle goods and traditional handcraft products.
In 1969 Kita begins to work also in Italy, developing his work on furniture. He has chances to work with companies such as Bernini and Bilumen.
In this period starts his interest in chairs and in 1967 he designs the basic idea for the revolutionary Saruyama for Moroso. In 1980 Kita realizes the Wink Chair for Cassina. Starting from this period, he designs different projects, such as new products made of recycled aluminium.
He continued with personal exposition at Barcelona, Helsinky and Singapore, participating at forums on design.
In 1990 Toshiyuki Kita wins the Delta de Oro Award in Spain and in 1993 he is guest Professor at University of Applied Arts Vienna (Universität für angewandte Kunst, Wien).
In 2000 the design of the LCD for Sharp makes its first appearance, in the same period also the robot for the Mitsubishi Electrics is presented.
Many of his works are selected for the permanent collections of several Museums in the world, such us the Museum of Modern Art of New York and the Center Georges Pompidou in Paris.
In recent years he held seminars and workshops not only in Japan but also in Europe and Asia in order to promote education.
He always directs his work towards the collaboration with traditional craft design and the promotion of local industries.
Since 2004 he is professor at the Product Design Department of the Osaka University of Art. He also holds preminent positions such us the guest professor at China Central Academy of Fine Arts, the design adviser of Thai government and the advisor of Foshan design in China; he has been a jury member of the Red Star Design Award in China between 2006 and 2008.
From 2006, 2008 and 2009, Kita coordinated the exhibition of the best in Japanese design selected by the prestigious G-Mark Award (Good Design Award), organized for the Fuori Salone show in Milan by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO).
Toshiyuki Kita has been a protagonist at many recent editions of the Milan Design Week, where every year he exhibits creations born out of the encounter between natural materials fashioned according to time-honored Japanese artisanal tradition and new technologies reflecting respect for the environment.
In 2007 the Design Week featured the exhibition Il futuro della tradizione while in 2008 featured the exhibition Natura e Tecnologia.
In 2009, the Design Week featured the exhibition Kita. Future Delight, while in 2010, Kita. Timeless Future took place in the prestigious setting of the Triennale, symbol of international design. That same year, Kita served as the Creative Director of the Japanese industrial pavilion at Expo in Shanghai.
In 2011 Toshiyuki Kita is one of the three non-Italian designers winning the prestigious International Compasso d’Oro Career Prize awarded by the Industrial Design Association (ADI). The International Compasso d’Oro Career Prize symbolizes the importance of Toshiyuki Kita’s work in today’s world. His success is affirmed not only by the interest of companies, but especially by the general public, who still marvel at the creations of a designer who connects the past with the future, and East with West through beauty and design.
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