Hideki Yoshimoto

Dr
Hideki Yoshimoto
吉本英樹
Yoshimoto in 2026
Born1985 (age 40–41)
Wakayama Prefecture
Education
OccupationsArtist, designer, and engineer
Employer(s)Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo
Known forCraft x Tech initiative
Websitetngnt.uk

Hideki Yoshimoto (born 1985) is a Japanese artist, design engineer, and academic. His work focuses on bridging the gap between traditional craft, modern technology, and contemporary design practice, with the belief that design is "a common language that everyone can speak". His stated goal is the "preservation and evolution of Japanese culture" through novel applications of engineering technologies and the promotion of international creative collaborations.

Early life and education

Yoshimoto was born in Wakayama Prefecture in 1985. He attended and graduated from the University of Tokyo with a master's degree in aeronautical engineering and astronautics. He subsequently earned a doctorate in innovation design engineering from the Royal College of Art in London (RCA) in 2016.

Career

Yoshimoto is a researcher and associate professor at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo, the founder of the Craft x Tech initiative, as well as the engineering design company Tangent Design and Invention, which Yoshimoto founded in 2015 while still at the RCA. He has studios in both London and Tokyo.

Yoshimoto has spoken about "[drawing] inspiration from the silent dialogue between Japanese tradition and modernity, embodied in the collaboration between Isamu Noguchi and the lantern manufacturer Ozeki.” He is well known for his work in the international promotion of traditional Japanese craft through the use of modern technology and collaborative workshops, and as the founder of the Craft x Tech initiative.

His design studio has consulted for brands, companies, and organisations such as Asahi Intecc, Globe-Trotter, Hermès, JAXA, Lexus, MB&F, Seiko, Sumitomo, Takasho Digitec, Toppan, Toyota, Wonderglass, and the Wakayama Prefecture. The studio's work spans from technological and engineering consultancy, product and design development, to lighting and exhibition design—as well as managing various international collaborations, cultural projects and initiatives, and supporting Yoshimoto’s own artistic practice.

Craft x Tech Tohoku Project at Design Miami Art Basel (2024)

Yoshimoto was the recipient of the 2013 Lexus Design Prize, the inaugural edition of the award. He has also been recognised in both the design and engineering sectors with awards from the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence (JSAI), Red Dot, Wakayama Prefecture, and IPA Super Creator certification. He also lectures and participates in academic panels at other institutions, both in Japan and overseas.

Pieces by Yoshimoto have been exhibited in museums, cultural institutions, and galleries in Japan and internationally, as well as events like Art Basel, Design Miami, Salone del Mobile in Milan, Maison&Object in Paris, and the London Design Festival. He designed the Wakayama exhibition in the Kansai Pavilion at Expo2025 in Osaka. In 2026, Yoshimoto's work was included in the mission∞infinity space + quantum + art [d] exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kingswell, Tamsin (12 August 2026). "Connecting Cultures". London Design Festival. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Global Design Forum, Hideki Yoshimoto". London Design Festival. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Aprile, Nicola (18 May 2026). "The future of design? Leading designers are finding it in Japan's artisan workshops". Domus. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  4. 1 2 Yamada, Mio (18 May 2024). "A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts". The Japan Times. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hideki YOSHIMOTO personal appointments". Companies House. GOV.UK. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "New Horizons for Japanese Traditional Crafts". Daiwa Foundation 大和日英基金. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Unifying Japanese Craft and Contemporary Technology". Craft x Tech. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Hideki Yoshimoto". RCAST. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "Why you're about to fall in love with Japanese design all over again". ELLE Decoration. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  10. 1 2 "142 Hideki Yoshimoto × Shohei Takei（Design Engineer × Engineer）". Roppongi Mirai Kaigi. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  11. ↑ "The 'Craft x Tech Tokai Project 2026 Tokyo Exhibition', a collaboration between six production areas across the three prefectures of the Tokai region and international creators, is being held at Kudan House". ADF Web Magazine. 14 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Carlson, Cajsa (11 September 2026). "Craft x Tech connects Japanese craftsmanship and global design". Dezeen. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  13. ↑ "EXPO 2025 ASAHI-INTECC". Official site. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  14. ↑ "Hideki Yoshimoto, an innovator who is breathing new life into traditional crafts with technology and design". Premium Japan. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  15. ↑ Whitewall (3 September 2019). "Montre Hermès Takes Us on a Cosmic Journey". Whitewall. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  16. ↑ O'Kelly, Emma (3 December 2019). "Hideki Yoshimoto ponders heaven and earth for La Montre Hermès". Wallpaper. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Milan Diary: Alternative showroom models, circular plastic, and otherworldly immersion". frameweb.com. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  18. ↑ Charles, Starr (16 April 2024). "Hideki Yoshimoto lines art installation with illuminated fibreglass "soldiers"". Dezeen. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  19. ↑ "Tangent by Hideki Yoshimoto". MB&F. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  20. 1 2 Neira, Juliana (26 January 2017). "Wonderglass explores water bubbles + refraction of light at maison et objet". Designboom. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "和-nagomi-vol.55". 和-nagomi- (in Japanese). Wakayama Prefecture Public Relations Division. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Reimagining Traditional Crafts with Cutting-Edge Technology". Swissnex in Japan. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  23. ↑ Caula, Rodrigo (19 April 2013). "Fluff interactive lighting systems by Tangent". Designboom. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  24. ↑ "Best Curio Presentation: Craft x Tech". Design Miami. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Craft x Tech · Design Miami". Design Miami. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  26. 1 2 Schwarz, Suzanne (28 August 2024). "Kreationen". architektur-technik.ch (in German). Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  27. ↑ Dorris, Jesse (1 April 2024). "Hideki Yoshimoto Looks Beyond the Horizon". Surface. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  28. 1 2 Senda, Shuhei (21 April 2013). "Inaho interactive robotic light: LEXUS design award 2013". Designboom. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  29. ↑ "Hideki Yoshimoto, Design Engineer, Tokyo Midtown". Roppongi Mirai Kaigi. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  30. ↑ "和歌山ゾーン構築総合 ディレクターが語る、和歌山の魅力と大阪・関西万博" [An Overview of the Wakayama Zone Development: Director Discusses the Appeal of Wakayama and the Osaka-Kansai Expo]. 和-nagomi- (in Japanese) (56 ed.). Wakayama Prefecture Public Relations Division. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
  31. ↑ "Hideki Yoshimoto, Speakers, Global Design Forum". London Design Festival. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  32. ↑ "International Symposium 'CRAFT AS RESPONSE ― Reframing Craft in a Global Context'". RCAST. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  33. ↑ "Unesco World Heritage Site Koyasan in Wakayama is hosting a two month-long art festival". Time Out Tokyo. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  34. ↑ ArtFacts. "Hideki Yoshimoto | Artist". ArtFacts. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  35. ↑ "【デザインフェア出展のお知らせ】6月10日-16日「Design Miami.Basel 2024」 │ Craft x Tech – 日本の工芸と現代の技術を繋ぐ". CRAFT X TECH (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  36. ↑ Azure (25 April 2017). "The Most Exciting New Talent Spotted in Milan". Azure Magazine. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  37. ↑ "La Londra di Hideki Yoshimoto da vedere durante il London Design Festival". GQ Italia (in Italian). 13 September 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  38. ↑ "Discover Wakayama's delicious art at the Osaka-Kansai Expo". ディスカバー・ジャパン | Discover Japan. Retrieved 8 November 2026.
  39. ↑ The Legacy of World Expos
  40. ↑ "mission∞infinity | space + quantum + art". Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. Retrieved 8 March 2026.

Further reading