Design with Japan: Swiss Designers’ Journey into Tajimi’s Ceramic Heritag

This first phase will be followed up by a development phase and an exhibition in 2025. On November 16, they shared their experiences in a talk, offering insight into how Tajimi’s rich heritage has influenced their creative processes and sparked cross-cultural collaborations.

What draws designers from across the world to Tajimi, a city known for its enduring ceramic heritage? How does a centuries-old tradition continue to inspire innovation today?

Tajimi, nestled in Gifu Prefecture, is a hub of ceramic craftsmanship, with a history that spans over 1,300 years1. Its production methods not only shape local trends but have also influenced global ceramic practices. For Noelani and Anthony, Tajimi offers a rare opportunity to explore ceramics in a setting where tradition and modernity seamlessly converge. The immersion has deepened their understanding of design, highlighting the delicate balance between honoring the past and pushing the boundaries of contemporary ceramics.

Noelani and Anthony’s approaches to material selection reflect their distinct creative processes and their interactions with local manufacturing traditions. Anthony, who is collaborating with a porcelain specialist, is focused on creating ceramic tableware, including teapots and bowls. While respecting the company’s existing design language, he aims to introduce subtle details that challenge the status quo without pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible. “It’s important for me to bring something different to what the company already has, without overstepping the established rules,” he explained. In contrast, Noelani faced a different challenge—choosing from a vast array of materials. After much consideration, she selected the local clay used at Tajimi Custom Tiles, a decision that allows her to explore innovative ceramic tile designs while experimenting with both traditional and contemporary treatments. ” By working with local materials, I can honor the craftsmanship of the area while contributing and challenging it with a fresh perspective ,” she explained. Her approach reflects a deep respect for local practices while incorporating innovation into her work.

For both designers, Tajimi holds personal significance. For Anthony, Tajimi offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of ceramics, inspired by designers like Ronald Bouroullec, Max Lamb, and Kwangho Lee. “Tajimi allows experimentation that feels impossible elsewhere,” he shared.
For Noelani, who has lived in Japan before, returning to deepen her ceramic practice is a form of homecoming. “I interned in Tokyo during my studies, so my connection to Japan has always been there,” she reflected.

The program allowed both designers to collaborate closely with local artisans, gaining insights into Japanese ceramics. Anthony worked with Miyama, where his designs evolved through hands-on collaboration, particularly with injection molding and sludge casting techniques. “I came to Tajimi with an idea, but it evolved through discussions with the Miyama team,” he noted.

Noelani found a deep connection to the material after visiting a clay mine in Tajimi, where fossilized logs were embedded in the clay. “Seeing millions of years of history in the clay was awe-inspiring,” she shared.

Both designers were impressed by the artisans’ openness. Noelani was particularly surprised by the willingness of Kasai-san, Founder of Tajimi Custom Tiles to push creative boundaries. “Despite the language barrier, they were always eager to help,” she said. Anthony also noticed how the collaboration grew more organic over time. “As we worked together, the dialogue became more natural,” he shared. These exchanges enriched their understanding of community and design by demonstrating the value of collaboration, openness, and shared creativity in the creative process.

A key focus has been the exploration of sustainability within Tajimi’s ceramic industry. Both designers have been impressed by local manufacturers’ efforts to minimize environmental impact. Noelani noted that some factories employ direct firing methods to reduce energy consumption, while others integrate recycled materials, such as concrete production waste, into their ceramics.

Anthony was similarly struck by the emphasis on reusing materials in the production process. “The commitment to sustainability here is truly inspiring,” he said. Despite challenges, particularly with the energy-intensive firing processes, both designers are encouraged by the innovative solutions being developed to reduce waste and enhance sustainability.

Working in Tajimi required both designers to adjust their creative processes while navigating the blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design. Noelani, whose Swiss studio embraces a spontaneous approach, adapted to the more structured and collaborative workflow in Tajimi, refining her process through close coordination with local artisans. “The pace here is different,” she explained, noting how the collaborative environment helped shape her designs. In contrast, Anthony’s creative method is more sketch-based and iterative, focusing on drawing and refining designs with the Miyama team. “Making tableware isn’t something you can experiment with quickly, so I rely on sketches and computer drawings,” he shared. Despite their different workflows, both designers found inspiration in Tajimi’s rich ceramic heritage.

As they near the end of their stay, both Anthony and Noelani are excited about the future of Swiss-Japanese design collaborations. “The setup with Tajimi Custom Tiles, Pro Helvetia, and David Glättli, Creative Director of Tajimi Custom Tiles as our mentor is ideal for exploring and developing our projects,” Noelani remarked.

Anthony sees the program as an opportunity to learn from the meticulous craftsmanship of Japanese artisans. “The level of quality here is incredible,” he shared. For Noelani, the precision and focus of local artisans have been equally inspiring. “The way people specialize in one task is fascinating,” she said. This experience has deepened her appreciation for process-oriented design, a concept she plans to integrate into her own practice moving forward.

The immersion phase has already had a profound impact on their designs, which they are refining as they move into the prototyping phase (December 2024 to May 2025). This next stage will see their concepts take shape, culminating in a 2025 exhibition in Tokyo that will showcase the collaboration of Swiss and Japanese design.

For Noelani, experimenting with local materials has unlocked new creative possibilities. For Anthony, the program has solidified his commitment to exploring materials in ever more innovative ways. Both are eager to continue refining their concepts and pushing the boundaries of ceramic design.

Anthony Guex

Anthony Guex is a Swiss product and interior designer based in Lausanne with a focus on product, furniture, and interior design. With over seven years of experience as a cabinetmaker and foreman in the wood industry, he studied interior design at the HEAD-Genève and earned a Master degree in product design from ECAL / University of Art & Design Lausanne in 2015. Anthony divides his time between his design studio and his role as Artistic Deputy at ECAL. He collaborates with national and international brands such as New Tendency, Okro, Tectona, Ecal, and Fogo Island Workshops of the Shorefast Foundation in Newfoundland, Canada. @anthonyguex

Noerani Rutz

Noelani Rutz is a Swiss product designer based in Zurich. She graduated with honors from ECAL/école cantonale d‘art de Lausanne, where she worked as a teaching assistant the following two years. After gaining experience working for Shigeki Fujishiro in Tokyo and Jörg Boner productdesign in Zürich, she is now focusing on her own practice. With a keen eye for detailed simplicity, her hands on approach commits to a thoughtful combination of traditional craft, material research and pragmatic solutions. @noelanirutz

Design with Japan
- A collaborative residency programme connecting Swiss designers with Japanese manufacturers-

Supported by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Embassy in Japan, this programme forges connections between the innovative power of Swiss emerging designers and Japanese manufacturers. Its goal is to nurture an intercultural collaborative environment that pushes the boundaries of design. This collaboration comes to life through the development of a series of prototypes, a project exhibition and media exposure.

Selection Committee:
Tsuyoshi Matsuzawa, Managing director of E&Y Co.,Ltd / Professor at the Department of Design and Fine Arts, Osaka University of Arts Junior College / Jury for the Good Design Award
David Glaettli, Creative Director
Laetitia de Alergi, Designer, Creative Consultant, Colour Specialist

For more details about the project here and here