BIO

Wataru Kumano is a Japanese product designer. After studying at Aalto University (FI), Kumano worked for Jasper Morrison’s Tokyo-based studio. He has now founded his own design office « kumano ». In 2021, he was nominated Associate Professor at Musashino Art University. His simple and functional designs are inspired by Finnish woodworking techniques as well as traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Kumano will be a guest lecturer in the Bachelor Industrial Design and Master Product Design throughout the spring semester 2021. For his residency project, he will examine the Swiss and Japanese artisanal woodwork techniques to conceptualise new shapes, at the intersection of nature, tradition and daily convenience.