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Interviewer:　Momoko Muraoka Theme：The role of a designer Muraoka: Today I would like to talk about the role of a designer.  Of course, there is our regular work consulting on design projects, but also as lighting designers, we have helped launch a professional organization and are now engaged in recovery projects for the Great East Japan Earthquake.  All of these extracurricular activities have started me thinking, and as a designer, I want to be more subjective to the value of production in the world.  Mr. Mende, what do you think the role of a designer is? Mende: hmmm…That’s a  good question.  What do you think? Muraoka: Well, this is a little idealistic, but to scoop up things that aren’t yet seen or noticed and mold them into a form that is helpful and makes everyone`s live just a little bit happier. Mende: Yes, a designer might be a craftsman who makes people’s dreams and little bits of happiness a reality.  A designer is an artisan and a thinker and simply put, a hostess or entertainer for society. Muraoka: There are many different types of designers and a lighting designer might be particular in that there is really no solid form of our work. Mende: But what about musicians or chefs there is no real solid form here, either.  A massage or theatrics also makes people happy through healing or a performance.  Is this design?  Is good food a design? Muraoka: Oh,…

We had our third “Lounge Talk with Mr. Mende and Friends” live streamed on YouTube.The theme was “Light on the waterfront. We delivered an enjoyable one-hour talk with Mr. Hidenobu Jinnai, a guest who was perfect for the theme. The third installment of “Lounge Talk withMr.Mende and Friends” was held after a year’s absence. We invited architectural historian, Mr. Hidenobu Jinnai as a guest and delivered a one-hour talk live. Mr. Jinnai has been researching waterside urban planning for many years, having studied in Venezia after graduating from university. Whenever the theme of the Lighting Detectives’ events has been waterfront lighting, we have always invited Mr. Jinnai and asked for his opinions. In this episode, He reviewed the Lighting Detectives’ practical lecture series, the Sumida River houseboat tour in 1996, and an interview in 1998 in which he asked the audience to predict the nightscape of Tokyo in 2050, as well as the proposal for Tokyo waterside lighting created by the LPA for the “2050” exhibition held in 2016. He reviewed the “Tokyo Nightscape Proposal” that LPA created for that exhibition, and discussed his vision for the future of waterside lighting and which areas have great potential. In the preliminary meeting, we had talked about ending the live stream in about 45 minutes, but the conversation kept going, and Mr. Mende and Mr. Jinnai seemed to be able to talk forever, but since it was a one-hour program, we ended…

Design Starting with Imitating Interviewer:　Kentaro Tanaka Tanaka： Today, I thought we could talk about lighting design and how to protect copyrights, but I think I`ll tone it down a bit. Shall we discuss the act of imitating instead? So to waste no time, a perfect copy of the original is a big no-no, but what about imitating? Is it important? Mende：Hmmm. It might be an “honor” to have something imitated, but the act of imitating can lead to noticeable crudeness. Have you ever imitate someone else’s work? I`ve copied many gestures and behaviors over the years. Tanaka：In the profession of design there are so many imitations. Product design, emblems, fashion, etc. You see and hear about copies all the time. Mende：I don`t think that is imitating, but plagiarism and stepping over the line to outright infringement of copyright. However, all of the great architects and designers want to be better than those before them. Tanaka：Yes, you are right. Outright, wrongful intent is just a knockoff. But I think it is a blurred line. There are those that want to learn from the great, but intentional use is unaccusable. As a professional designer, there are so many times you have a vague feeling of I`ve-seen-this-somewhere-before. And usually, it is probably a similar idea just in a different shape or context. I think design work is a lot of mixing up of things we have seen or are still in our memory…

From up above Tokyo looks like an overturn jewelry box, the night streets glitter with lights and it a fairly beautiful sight. Once back on ground, the glitter has turned harsh. It is an economically advanced nightscape, an efficient nightscape with needless light and light pollution. An aerial view of Tokyo at night. The dark area in the center of Tokyo, the Emperor`s Palace, is surrounded by clusters of lights that resemble precious stones. From this view it is unclear where Tokyo begins or ends. The Tokyo nightscape is illuminated in bright white light. Mercury lamps and florescent lights in the background of Tokyo Tower control the nightscape of this city. Old-fashioned houseboats gather in the foreground of the Odaiba District and the Rainbow Bridge.

Interviewer: Hikaru Kawata Kawata：Today’s topic is automatic mannerisms and involuntary habits.  I would especially like to talk about the habits we have that we like and those we want to change. One habit I have that I am really fond of is the bodily position I find relaxing.  Ever since I was little, whenever I wanted a quick nap or just to relax for a moment, I would sit in a cross-legged position and bend my upper body over into a round ball.  Mende：That sounds really painful, anything but relaxing.  I don’t think most bodies bend that way.  Kawata： I find it really calming.  I get really cold hands and feet so I tuck them around my torso, in a very revolutionary style.  Not many people can copy this habit, so I really like it.  Mende：Yes, it is very unique.  Any bad habits? Kawata：I get nervous in front of people and under the pressure I bite my tongue.  I can’t seem to relax, it is a very bad habit.  Mende：So, speaking of physical habits,  lately when I am working at my computer, my wife will suddenly say, “Turtle!.”  I realized that while working at my computer over long periods of time I gradually start to hunch over.  Bad habit! Kawata：How about a good habit? Mende：I like to play a lot of different sports.  When I am trying something new, I always do research beforehand so I can perform better.  I think…