BIOGRAPHY / Shoji ITO
Born 1971, Tokyo.
After graduating from Tama Art University, I joined NTT InterCommunication Center ［ICC］in 1997 as a Researcher.
In 2002, I joined Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. and have held positions such as General Manager of Planning and Product Design Office, and General Manager of Product Development Team at Ryohin Keikaku Europe Co., Ltd.
I became independent in 2009, and have been making proposals ever since mainly on product design and product design direction, branding direction, merchandising, and product planning & development.
1997-2002
Researcher, NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC] Planned and executed exhibitions on media art and design.
1998
ICC NEWSCHOOL ’98 – The Sense and Communication
1999
ICC NEWSCHOOL ’99 – sound/music/communication Future Design Symposia ICC NEWSCHOOL – Adding Media, Subtracting Signs
2000
Open Studio "Tangible Bits" Media Park at ICC
2001
ICC NEWSCHOOL 8 – Design Dissolving in Behavior
2002
Exhibition “John MAEDA; Post Digital” Exhibition “Design Dissolving in Behavior” Symposium “In Our Time, In This Moment” Susan SONTAG
2002-2009
At Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. (MUJI), I made an original proposal and established the Planning and Product Design Office. I organized the jobs for the “In-house Designers”, - from research to product planning and designing, - as a sequence of work which enabled the fast development of products that measure up to the needs of the retailing industry. I myself directed, planned and designed over 1,000 products a year. Also, while in the London office, I developed and designed products made specially for the European market.
2002
Planning Manager
2003
Category Manager Furniture Department Household Division
2005
General Manager Planning and Product Design Office
2007
General Manager Product Development Team Ryohin Keikaku Europe Co., Ltd
2009
turn freelance
2010
Founded Designito Co., Ltd.
AWARDS
iF Gold Award, iF Product Design Award 2005, 2007 Besides, many iF Awards, Good Design Awards (Japan), etc.
