Gained in Translation: Interpreting Design in Japan and Beyond with David Tonge

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with David Tonge, a designer and owner of the London-based design studio The Division, who has worked extensively in Asia and in particular has a long relationship with Japan. David has 30 years experience as Designer, Director and Advisor to some of the worlds most successful brands. He’s also a Visiting Professor at Kanazawa Art University in Japan.

Topics that we discuss today include his experiences as an industrial designer in Japan and with Japanese companies abroad, the importance of patience in finding success in Japan, what it means to "interpret" culture in design, and why the pace of decision-making itself may affect whether your project even gets off the ground.

Today's Language:

おとしどころ

o-to-shi-do-ko-ro

落とし所

Literally: "the place where things fall"

Meaning: compromise, common ground

David's Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtonge/

Company Website: https://the-division.com/

Art Photography: https://www.dtonge.co.uk/

Related Episodes: 

Understanding the Japanese Marketplace with Natalie Meyer: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Understanding-the-Japanese-Marketplace-with-Natalie-Meyer-ejo3l3

Discovering Ma: Finding Success in Japan by Learning to Pay Attention with Byron Barón: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Discovering-Ma-Finding-Success-in-Japan-by-Learning-to-Pay-Attention-with-Byron-Barn-ejiru4

On Being an Effective Communicator in Japan with Anthony Griffin: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/On-Being-an-Effective-Communicator-in-Japan-with-Anthony-Griffin-el1v9m

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