Katagami is the Japanese craft of making paper stencils for dyeing textiles. The stencils are created by drilling, punching and cutting patterns by hand.
Multiple layers of thin washi paper are bonded with a glue extracted from persimmon, which makes a strong, flexible-brown coloured paper. The designs can be extremely intricate and consequently, fragile. Nowadays the stencils are sometimes sold as artwork, attached to hand fans, or used to decorate screens and doors in Japanese rooms.
Katagami was selected as the theme for a charity project in support of Revalue Nippon Project, in which the aim was to create a new, unique product. This charity was organised by ‘Take Action Foundation’ which was started by Mr. Hidetoshi Nakata, a well-known former Japanese footballer.
Upon being commissioned for this project, we decided to design the world’s first and only katagami bicycle. All the design and CAD work were accomplished by Akio Shindate with the support from the frame builder Mr. Matthew Sowter and the Tokyo-based modelling company Trywork. Additionally, many thanks to Brooks UK for helping to make such a wonderful saddle based on our design.
This Product was developed by DDS – the leading Japanese biometrics company based in Nagoya, Japan.
They provide biometric devices such as fingerprint sensors, to make our lives easier with their new cutting-edge technology. Their fingerprint verification is the only one capable of identifying each individual with no error and 100% accuracy.
WHAT IS MAGATAMA?
‘Magatama’ is our latest creation – the world’s first wearable biometric device not requiring a password. The name ‘magatama’ originates from the Japanese prehistoric sacred treasure called 勾玉 (magatama). Since the prehistoric era, magatama has been treated as a valuable jewel that has been believed by the people of the era to hold such powers of making wishes come true. We have considered its past significances and applied this idea of holding a power; the power of automatically making our lives easier and more comfortable, within one’s hands.
HOW DOES THE MAGATAMA WORK?
The Magatama features a main module containing the fingerprint sensor that fits various types of cases or ‘holders’, to suit each individual’s lifestyle. We have taken into consideration the different ways the Magatama may be used; these include being used as a pendant so that it can be attached to the user or on a key ring for attachment to a bag. The Magatama holder’s colour can also be varied depending on the user’s preference.
FUNCTIONS OF THE MAGATAMA
• ID Verification
• Using ATM
• Bookings or Reservations
• Signing Cards/Documents
• Lock/Unlock
• Exchanging contacts
• Transactions/Payment
• Transport Facilities
Lucia is a car inspired by a classic urban lifestyle, bringing back vintage design in its similar essence to that of 60’s sports cars, such as the AC Cobra or the Ferrari 250 GTO. Encapsulating various modern features, Lucia was designed with the aim of making daily travel more comfortable and convenient in a busy city life. We intended to capture its friendliness in its smooth, clean curvature whilst recalling happy nostalgia of iconic designs.
Our role in this project was to propel forward a simple design concept from an idea to reality. We worked with CBS Outdoor to create information screens for large shopping centres, focusing on both the styling and realising the optimum shape for easy assembly and construction.
Our work with the robotics company Gimarobo involved designing a horse-riding exercise robot with the purpose of bringing people the experience of riding a horse whilst encouraging fitness. The equestrian robot required to be thoroughly developed by carefully considering various riding positions to ensure comfortability. Bearing this product in mind, we also designed the company’s logo.
We value the art of sound and have worked with Roland on numerous projects, including the design of keyboard workstations, stage keyboards, digital pianos, drum machines and guitar synthesizers. Our products are always designed to fulfil the ultimate usability for musicians of all levels, up to professionals.
One of these design was submitted to the Biennale Internationale du Design in Saint-Étienne.
Contrasting with the conventional ceiling mounted cameras, we believe that a surveillance camera ought to be integrated in its surroundings or disguised amongst museum artwork.
In this way, this work leaves the space undisturbed and gives a fun feel to its environment.
We have undertaken several projects from Nikon. Nikon is the brand which influences users of all professional levels. We have proposed all the design techniques and knowledge to fulfil their requirements.
Maxeler is a British computer company renowned for their outstanding technologies. Each product we have designed for them conveys a clear and comprehensive design message to its users.
Our passion for designing motorcycles is incredibly strong. Alongside designing motorcycles for Suzuki, we have also designed our own for our studies. It usually takes a year to go from each design process to building a life-size prototype model.
We designed solar energy products and monitoring devices for Ambientec. With the increasing demand for renewable energy, we believe one of our missions will be to design environmental products for the future of our lives.
Minerva Research Labs is one of the fastest growing companies in the UK, specialising in cosmetics, health and beauty. We have designed their company logo as well as cosmetic stands placed in Boots and designing the interior of Minerva’s flagship shop in China.
Xing is a company we are constantly creating new sound related products for. Known as one of the top karaoke and home entertainment product makers, they have produced and distributed several BMB brand products for Asian countries which we have designed.
We have also designed VR (Virtual Reality) products for GO4D. GO4D was the first company to invent VR products which later inspired large companies to spread VR worldwide.
At VO Corporation, our design concepts are always feasible and considered for production from the very beginning. They are carried through from ideas to a reality with as little of a gap as possible between expectation and outcome, to assure the highest quality possible. We present a variety of design ideas for our clients; each individual design and their manufacture being carefully planned. Our great range of expertise enables the company to flourish in all aspects of design, so that we can give tailored and valuable proposals for every client.
We are often commissioned to create new brand logos for companies, particularly for start-up companies. It is essential to have a good logo to be recognised well. Whilst we undertake a range of design projects, we have also created the company’s branding image. At VO, we are product designers with many capabilities.
VO Corporation Ltd.
The Old Boardroom Collet Road, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 7LR United Kingdom