• February 13, 2009 UP!

089 Challenging convention is what Fukuoka design is all about(Eiji Mitooka)

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Mitooka, designer of some of JR Kyûshû's unique trains, has won awards both domestically and internationally for his designs. In addition to the Shinkansen, he has created the distinctive look of some of the region's rail cars, including the original, unique metallic blue Sonic and the sleek Kamome with its white-body and leather seats. “Kyûshû is a place which is open to new things. If you propose three different designs, the one that’s adopted is the one that’s the most difficult to develop.”

The first project Mitooka worked on in Fukuoka was the Hotel Umi-no-Nakamichi. While working as an illustrator, the person in charge of the project, aware of Mitooka’s desire to try his hand at art direction, gave him complete control of the project. That opportunity lead to work designing trains for JR Kyûshû. Last year Motooka designed the Green bus for Nishitetsu Railroad, a rival of JR Kyûshû. Ordinarily, it is unimaginable that someone who was in charge of a rival company’s design would be hired to create designs the way Mitooka has been. “I find that courage remarkable” , says Mitooka, adding, “Fukuoka has been like a parent to me.”

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