Setsu & Shinobu Ito-Cedar Herald Index

Setsu and Shinobu Ito are Japanese designers. Their work is stored as permanent collections in the Modern Art Museums in Munich, Germany and Milan, Italy.

Fellow of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo (Setsu Ito) Visiting Researcher (Shinobu Ito), Professor of The University of Tsukuba (2020–present, Setsu Ito, Japan) Visiting at Tama Art University (Shinobu Ito), Contracted Professor at the Faculty of Design, Polytechnic University of Milan (both).

Setsu & Shinobu Ito

Biography

Setsu and Shinobu Ito opened their design studio in Milan in 1997.

Setsu & Shinobu Ito

Setsu Ito, who graduated at the University of Tsukuba in Japan (1989), started collaborating with Alessandro Mendini in the Studio Alchimia and then with Angelo Mangiarotti.

Setsu & Shinobu Ito

Shinobu Ito graduated in textile design at Tama Art University in Tokyo (1988) and started her career for CBS Sony (present: Sony Music Entertainment) in Sony Creative Products. Heavily influenced as a student by postmodern Italian design, Shinobu later moved to Italy to attend the Domus Academy in Milan, where she met her future husband and business partner, Setsu Ito, who at the time was working as a tutor at the school. The pair were attracted to the city and, in 1997, they established a studio in Milan.

Their works have been presented and exhibited around the world and also have been published in many books and magazines.

They also received design awards such as: "Compasso d'Oro" (2011, Italy), "Compasso d'Oro Menzione d'Onore" (2011, Italy), "Red Dot Award Best of the Best" (2016, Germany, Singapore), "Design Plus" (2016, Germany), "NY NOW Best Product" (2017, USA), "The Good Design Award" (2001, Japan), "Mastro della Pietra" (2019, Italy) and many other international design awards.

Some projects are a part of the permanent collection of the Die Neue Sammlung Design Museum in Munich (Germany) and the Triennale Design Museum in Milan (Italy). They are visiting professors of Domus Academy (2000–present, Italy), Polytechnic University of Milan (2006-2007, Setsu Ito / 2016-Present, Both, Italy), Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (2009, Italy), IED / Istituto Europeo di Design of Milan (1999–present, Italy), Raffles Milano (2017–present, Italy) and the University of Tsukuba (2020–present, Setsu Ito, Japan), Tama Art University (2018–present, Shinobu Ito, Japan). Fellow (2019–present, Setsu Ito) and Visiting Researcher (2018–present, Shinobu Ito) of the Research Center for Advanced Science & Technology at the University of Tokyo (Japan). They are members of the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (Italy), board members of the Japan Fashion Color Association (Japan) and the Asia Pacific Designers Federation (China). They are judge of the International Design Awards including the International Forum Product Design Award (Germany), IAI Design Award (China).

Published a biography book “Setsu & Shinobu Ito_East-West Designer” (Logos Italy 2008).

Representative works / projects

HOW -Stationery Collection (Nava_Italy) 2000 - 2006

A series of functional desktops and stationery with light and deep feeling in line with the shift to home offices in the IT era. Some of the products are a permanent collection of the Triennale Milano Design Museum and won a Good Design Award (2001, Japan)

ILY-I Interactive Armchair (Aisin_Japan) 2015

Developed a sofa-type personal mobility design that can be moved smartly from the elderly to young people in outdoor public facilities.It is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor and has an automatic braking system and light reaction function. With the addition of IoT functions, it aims to make home robots of furniture equipped with remote communication between families and health management functions. Red Dot Award Best of the Best Award (2016, Germany, Singapore)

MY FUSION Collection long seller series Bowl and other Tableware object (Fratelli Guzzini) 2016 The world's first plastic three-color simultaneous mold and tableware series based on Guzzini's 3TECH technology, which led the development of post-war household plastic products. Expressed in a plastic container that is easy to use. Colors are inspired by the traditional Japanese lacquer articles. DESIGN PLUS-Winner (2016, Germany) NY NOW Award-Best New Product Winner (2016, USA) Good Design Awards (2018, USA)