Nao Tamura

The renowned Japanese designer Nao Tamura studied communications and graphic design at the Parsons School of Design in New York. Her parents had studied at the Cranbrook Academy in Michigan, her mother’s activities as an interior designer and her father’s as an industrial designer influenced her greatly.

After founding her own agency in Tokyo Nao later moved it to Brooklyn, NY and has since collaborated with Nike, Issey, Miyake, Wonderglass, Ambiente and Nanimarquina for products ranging from clothing and glassware to carpets and lighting. Her furniture designs have been for Artek, Nikari, HBF, Porro and now Leland. All her work reflects the integration of innovation, technology and sustainability along with aesthetic. She believes that nature is a universal language and that good design is a combination of both function and emotion.