Hobonichi:

TS 2017 was a silver leather cover, but you chose black leather for TS 2018. Black is a standard color for everyone who uses planners; what does the color black mean to you personally?

Sato:

Black—well, you know—for some reason, designers decidedly wear black. Once a year, there’s an event that gathers designers from around the world, and all you see is pure blackness in the room.

Hobonichi:

(Laughs)

Sato:

One obvious reason is that it’s a color suitable for formal occasions, but I also think it reflects a common intention shared among the designers to remain in the background, away from the spotlight.

Hobonichi:

I see, so it’s in the designer’s nature to favor black.

Sato:

Black does not assert its presence, disappearing into the air. But as a designer, even if the color was just black, I like to pursue something interesting, like being playful with the texture.

Hobonichi:

Even with the same color, Basic TS Black and TS 2018 Butler give off completely different impressions.

Sato:

Well, also for Japanese people, since most of us have naturally black hair, as soon as you wear black, you’re totally color-coordinated from head to toe.

Hobonichi:

That makes sense, black hair!

Sato:

Yeah. A little lightening of your hair to brown directly affects your color choice. A while ago when I had my hair platinum blond, I would deliberately wear pink sweaters and fluorescent orange. So, I’ve had a phase of excessiveness before settling.

Hobonichi:

The phase has passed, I see! (Laughs)

Sato:

Now, I wear black most of the time. Another characteristic of Japan is seen in its distinctive abundance in name colors. Distinguishing between subtle color difference is interwoven into the culture. So even in a seemingly small world of “black leather,” there lies a vast and rich landscape.

Hobonichi:

I think I know what you mean when I compare the Basic and the Butler.
On a different note, what is your favorite color, Taku-san?

Sato:

I always answer “yellow” when someone asks me that question. Yellow is the chromatic color that goes with any color.

Hobonichi:

It goes together with all colors?

Sato:

Non-chromatic color such as white, gray or black would agree with any color that comes next to it, right? But take chromatic colors such as red or green, for example, and they don’t match one another all the time – yet yellow can take its place nicely next to blue, green, gray, red, or any other colors.

Hobonichi:

That’s true.

Sato:

It’s sounds a bit square, but I like how it goes with any color, and it’s fun, bright, and light by nature. It’s not heavy, it’s not too tough. That’s why I like yellow.

Hobonichi:

The pen you designed as the Hobonichi Store Exclusives printed with the Hobonichi logo is also yellow. It kind of makes you happy to learn that it goes with everything.

Sato:

Is that this year’s tote bag that I see?

Hobonichi:

Yes! I’m excited to show you. It’s the final version of the leather bag you’ve designed using the same leather for TS 2018 Butler.

Sato:

Wow, that’s really awesome. I love the rugged feel of it… You know what? It’s already made it into my favorites list!

Hobonichi:

We went through a few adjustments before reaching this final shape.

Sato:

Right. I asked to make the opening wider to give it a more casual look.

Hobonichi:

Being able to fit A4 size file horizontally is convenient as well.

Sato:

Yes, and I’m happy that we were able to hide the handle seam in the interior of the bag. It’s not often that we see bags with the handle seam concealed like this.

Hobonichi:

Another point I like is the curvature of the handle. The handle is rounder compared to the TS 2017 from the previous year, revealing a unique expression.

Hobonichi:

The round handle fits nicely in the hand. I think it’ll be welcomed by both men and women for its chicness and charm.

Sato:

The fact that you can’t find any graphic elements such as brand logo or letters, I think, is also really unique. I’m so glad the final product came out so great!

Continues to Part.3

2017-10-12-Thu

Part 1Part 3