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  • Designing Design

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Designing Design Hardcover – July 23, 2007

by Kenya Hara (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars (94)

Representing a new generation of designers in Japan, Kenya Hara (born 1958) pays tribute to his mentors, using long overlooked Japanese icons and images in much of his work. In “Designing Design”, he impresses upon the reader the importance of “emptiness” in both the visual and philosophical traditions of Japan, and its application to design, made visible by means of numerous examples from his own work: Hara for instance designed the opening and closing ceremony programs for the Nagano Winter Olympic Games 1998. In 2001, he enrolled as a board member for the Japanese label MUJI and has considerably moulded the identity of this successful corporation as communication and design advisor ever since. Kenya Hara, alongside Naoto Fukasawa one of the leading design personalities in Japan, has also called attention to himself with exhibitions such as “Re-Design: The Daily Products of the 21st Century” of 2000.

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  1. Print length
    467 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Lars Müller Publishers
  4. Publication date
    July 23, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.61 x 9.45 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    303778105X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-3037781050
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kenya Hara (1958) is a graphic designer, Professor at the Art University Musashino and communication advisor for Muji.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lars Müller Publishers
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 23, 2007
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd printing
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 467 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 303778105X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3037781050
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.61 x 9.45 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #2,112,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars (94)

About the authors

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  1. Maggie Kinser Hohle

    Maggie Kinser Hohle

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    I write interview-based stories about individuals, often people active in design, architecture, people-powered boating, community activism and retail. Born to Southern Californians, I grew up in Illinois, Georgia and Pennsylvania, where my dad taught graphic design at state universities. I went to Saint John's College in Annapolis Maryland, and moved to Japan at 22. I wrote for magazines like Graphis, Metropolis and Dwell while there, and back in the US at 37, I wrote for the same, and also magazines like Theme, about Asian cultural mavericks. I've translated many books for the designer Kenya Hara, with my partner Yukiko Naito (Takumi Translation) and have written several books about architects and designers. I love sculling in Petaluma, California and meeting members of all of my overlapping communities.

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  2. Hara, Kenya

    Hara, Kenya

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
94 global ratings

Customers say

Customers appreciate the book's design content, noting its many examples of great design and special angle on product design thinking and techniques.
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10 customers mention design, 10 positive, 0 negative
Customers appreciate the book's design content, noting it includes many examples of great design and offers a special perspective on product design thinking and techniques.
...Its very Japanese aesthetics, the interiors are well designed and beautiful. This is a book that will inspire even the quiet.Read more
A great reference in Japanese Design. For those who loves MUJI and its simplicity, it'd be a good choice.Read more
this is one of the best books on design that I have read. Kenya Hara's deep but simplistic design process...Read more
I can't put this book down. It is elegant and flows beautifully....Read more
5 customers mention content, 5 positive, 0 negative
Customers find the content of the book great, with one customer specifically recommending it as a must-read for designers.
Love this book. Tons of photos, illustrations, lots of insight into the Japanese aesthetic....Read more
...For those who loves MUJI and its simplicity, it'd be a good choice.Read more
It's a must recommendation to read for designer (beginner or expert)!This books brings the understanding concept of design to a whole new level....Read more
A Good Read, But 'White' is More Concentrated and ConciseRead more
Buen libro
5 out of 5 stars
Buen libro
Mi hija amo ese libro
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Top reviews from the United States

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  • thebudelman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dig deep into the "Why" of design with beautiful examples.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book should be required reading for anyone studying design in the 21st Century. You will get depth, clarity, and insight into the design philosophy and process of a design master. Most books today touch on the "How-To" and the "What" of design. Very few books delve into the "Why." Kenya Hara's "Designing Design" is just that book, and you should buy it immediately before it goes out of print. If the written content was not enough for you, the book is beautifully designed and has so many examples of great design inside.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Georget
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Mi hija amo ese libro
    Customer image
    Georget
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Buen libro

    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026
    Mi hija amo ese libro
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Helpful
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  • D. Barrett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Design Book.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Love this book. Tons of photos, illustrations, lots of insight into the Japanese aesthetic. Makes a great argument about how the Japanese and NOT the Swiss invented modern design.
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Gandalf the Dad
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Insightful.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Kenya Hara dives into design in ways that go way beyond design — into the realm of spirituality, the senses, psychology ... a true catylist to evolving as a person and a designer.

    Some have said this is just a longer version of White. Not true. It covers many concepts, only one of which is white.

    I love this book!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Delco
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great reference in Japanese Design
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A great reference in Japanese Design. For those who loves MUJI and its simplicity, it'd be a good choice.
    Helpful
     Report
  • W. Stotler
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read, But 'White' is More Concentrated and Concise
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This lengthy book isn't needed if you read Hara's book, 'White', which neatly summarizes his philosophy and approach to design. I've given this four stars instead of five simply for length. Hara is at his best when he's working in a concise form (IMO). If you are thinking about this book, check out 'White' first. If you really liked White (like I did) then this is the next step, although much of the material will be repeated and illustrated with case studies that may (or may not) add value for you.
    28 people found this helpful
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  • Jacob Mathai
    5.0 out of 5 stars A peek into the mind of a design genius
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I can't put this book down. It is elegant and flows beautifully. Kenya Hara is one of the greatest designers of our time and this work gives the reader a glimpse into how he sees the world.
    Customer image
    Jacob Mathai
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A peek into the mind of a design genius

    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2015
    I can't put this book down. It is elegant and flows beautifully. Kenya Hara is one of the greatest designers of our time and this work gives the reader a glimpse into how he sees the world.
    Images in this review
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    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Leo J. Narducci
    5.0 out of 5 stars Designing Design by Kenya Hara
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2010
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    this is one of the best books on design that I have read. Kenya Hara's deep but simplistic design process
    is classic, traditional and ultra modern. It serves well as a handbook for the today's designer.
    It is also beautifully presented
    Leo Narducci pres Leo Narducci Designs
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Julina pickles
    5.0 out of 5 stars good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    good
    Report
  • sindhu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in India on July 24, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Thanks
    Report
  • L.A.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Miglior libro
    Reviewed in Italy on February 14, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Kenya Hara un master e un grand designer .
    Report
  • Martin St.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfekte Einfachheit
    Reviewed in Germany on December 30, 2015
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    An diesem Buch ist alles wie aus einem Guss.
    Cover/Einwand ist schlicht und gleichzeitig sehr edel, genau wie der Inhalt.
    Inhaltlich bekommt man viel geboten und einen sehr tiefen Einblick in den typisch japanischen Designminimalismus bzgl. Farben- und Formenlehre, Materialauswahl und Präsentation. Durch die Reduktion auf das Nötigste, kommen die vorgestellten Arbeiten erst wirklich zur Geltung.

    Dieses Buch wird seine Qualitäten über Jahrzehnte bewahren.
    Empfehlenswert für jeden, der sich für Design und Kunst interessiert.
    Report
  • Cliente de Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Genial
    Reviewed in Mexico on June 8, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Una obra maestra de del diseñador Kenya Hara, integra parte de su obra y filosofía al diseñar, recomendable como libro de cabecera para todo diseñador.
    Report
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