Dedicated my life to design industry, working as a design director with a number of international architects. How to realize the unique requests and requirements of the designers is my key challenge. I have witnessed the prototyping of star designers, including Achille Castiglioni, who were more important to me than collaborators; they were mentors in my life, and their way of thinking influenced me. The first time I used Arakawa products, I remember, was around 1991-2, and it was for a Venini's wall lamps of Murano glass designed by Sottsass. Venini uses many Arakawa products. With Arakawa's products that realize the artist's free conception, I hope to continue to propose lighting designs that place more emphasis on interior design. text by Masaaki Takahashi