Inside the MAZDA Design Studio - The Place Where Are Created The Most Beautiful Cars

Evolution of design at Mazda, Inside the MAZDA Design Studio From Clay to car Clay Modeling, KODO SOUL OF MOTION , JINBA ITTAI
What does craftsmanship mean to you?

When I realise that something has been created with passion. It’s about finishing a project and being satisfied with the results. Personally, I look closely at every completed project and analyse the process for optimisation potential. There is usually no need to improve fundamental things, but in my 28 years of experience, small details add up to something big and give the work a special touch.


Does that make you a perfectionist?

When it comes to my trade, definitely. One of my colleagues calls me Mr. 1000%, probably because I always tackle projects with intensity and precision, working until the deadline even though the product could already be considered finished. To illustrate, we once built a centre console out of wood. It was meant to be sanded and not painted or oiled. I sanded the console up to a very fine grit until it felt silky. At the internal presentation of the vehicle, our global head of design from Japan, Ikuo Maeda, sat in the car and kept stroking the surface while the European designers shared their thoughts about styling. Looking on, I was pleased that he appreciated it. Ikuo Maeda attaches considerable value to good craftsmanship.

What are a clay modeller’s main day-to-day challenges?

Sometimes it’s difficult to bring the designers’ concepts to life. Let me give you an example. We built a sculpture out of wood. The challenge was to bend the wood to a certain radius, which was impossible because it was too thick and the radius too small. At moments like these, we need to find solutions and execute them so that there are no perceptible inconsistencies. In this case, I glued together 66 layers of veneer in a hand-made mould. You couldn’t tell how the finished product was made: It looked like a solid piece of wood that had been bent.


How in general do you deal with challenges?

I think challenges, whether at work or in personal life, harbour great potential for development. That’s why, regardless how difficult they may seem, I always face challenges rather than turning my back on them. Otherwise they catch up with you.


Do you have a guiding principle at work and in life?


I always try to convey openness, stamina and above all empathy. I believe the latter is vital, especially in life.

Where do you get inspiration?

I find inspiration in nature and her immense power, her shapes and colours, the primal character, the realness. Constancy and transformation in one. I love to be outdoors, for example in the mountains and snow when nobody is around. But people inspire me as well with their dedication, their accomplishments, their work and the personality they put into it.

My wife is a good example. She is committed, persevering, straightforward and intricate, but nonetheless transparent. At the same time, she is especially loving and empathetic, and always open to what is relevant. Beyond that, sources for my inspiration include architecture, art and above all music, with all its facets, as well as classical and modern ballet. The precise movements in ballet help me get new ideas.

For a project we had a while ago, a dancer took on various ballet positions while covered in stretch fabric. The interesting shapes gave us new perspectives that helped us develop our Kodo design philosophy. We often use extraordinary methods to redefine the language of design. It’s important for me to go through life being aware and having a positive outlook.

How do you approach a new project?

At first, it’s important for me to understand the concept. What characterises the sketches? What is the designer’s signature? What is he or she trying to express? Without this understanding, your ability to reflect the desired emotion in the model is limited. To allow the freedom for new language of form, we start with pure sculpturing, staying away from classical vehicle design. This is a very creative and unrestricted phase of work. The challenge is to transfer the envisioned ideas on to the vehicle. It’s one of the most important steps in the design process.


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