Koan Studio’s Ren Takeda on restraint, paper and patience
From a wooden house in Kyoto, Ren Takeda makes identities that take months to design and decades to wear out.
Koan Studio occupies the ground floor of a narrow wooden house in northern Kyoto. Its founder, Ren Takeda, works with temples, craftspeople and a few hotels, and rarely takes on more than four projects a year.
Why so few projects?
Because the work needs time to settle. I draw a mark, then leave it on the wall for a few weeks. Most ideas look worse after a month. The ones that look better are worth keeping.
Paper plays a big role in your work. Why?
Paper is where a brand meets a hand. I often choose the paper before the typeface, because the paper decides how ink will sit and how the piece will age. Washi, cotton, recycled board: each has a temperament.
Most ideas look worse after a month. The ones that look better are worth keeping.
What does restraint mean to you?
Removing everything that is not doing a job. Then removing one more thing, and seeing if anyone misses it.
