About the product
A mirror that can be displayed as interior decoration, using a frame that has won the Good Design Award, Japan's leading design award, in 2019. Designed by graphic designer Azumi Mitsuboshi, the mirror is used every day, is designed to be beautiful as an object, and to make "art a part of your life" come true just by placing it.
[Design]
The sharp picture frame and the mat that frames the mirror in a soft, rounded shape combine to create a modern, stylish yet somehow gentle impression. The deep design allows it to be hung on a wall, propped up against a wall, or freestanding on a tabletop.
[Colour variation]
The paper mats that frame the mirror are available in smoky white or yellow. The frame is available in matte black or matte silver, with an aluminium texture and luxurious finish, or in raw aluminium, which is an unfinished aluminium material.
[What is "raw" aluminium material? ]
Most aluminium products you see in everyday life are treated with a process called "anodising", which oxidises the surface of the aluminium to prevent it from being scratched. Raw aluminium is the material that has not undergone this treatment. Raw aluminium is very soft and difficult to make into products as it is, but it has a very soft shine and a unique beauty. It is also prone to fingerprints, gets scratched easily if not handled with care, and gradually discolours over time, but we chose to use this material in the hope that it will become a part of the user's life, a product that will grow old with them and be loved for a long time. Of course, some people prefer to be able to touch and move the product without hesitation, for example by changing the placement of the product regularly. If this is the case, please choose the pre-processed materials 'matte black' or 'matte silver'.
The most important aspects of this project are the design and the use of raw aluminium. We have wanted to use this raw aluminium in our products for a long time, but the fact is that it was difficult to use this delicate material in today's society, where products with scratches are not tolerated. However, we believe this 'scratchiness' and 'gradual discolouration over time' could also be part of its appeal. Like jeans or leather shoes, we hope that our products will gradually become a part of a person's life as they are used little by little. We would be happy if people who share our thoughts can take our mirrors, which are like works of art, and use them for a long time as part of their daily life.
Product detail
Specifications
[Size]
-Outside dimensions of picture frame: 185 x 185 mm / 7.3” x 7.3”
-Inside dimensions: 175 x 175 mm / 6.9” x 6.9”
[Colour] *frame x acrylic mat (images in the slideshow is in the same order as below)
-Matte silver x smoky white
-Matte black x smoky white
-Raw aluminium x smoky white
-Matte silver x yellow
-Matte black x yellow
–Raw aluminium x yellow
About the maker
The project is the result of a collaboration between the 55-year-old picture frame manufacturer Aluna Co. Ltd. and graphic designer Azumi Mitsuboshi.
Aluna has been manufacturing aluminium picture frames since its foundation at a factory in Kagoshima Prefecture, where every single one is handmade by employees. The important idea is not to pursue easy sales only, but to secure a reasonable profit and give back to employees and the community. We aim to be a company that can continue to operate for 300 years. Our collection cases and memorabilia products, including uniform frames, have been delivered to all 12 Japanese professional baseball teams. Also, we have won the Good Design Award 2019, DFA Design for Asia 2020, Omotenashi Selection 2021, and other awards, so you can imagine the high quality of our products.
Designer Azumi Mitsuboshi graduated from Waseda University and works as Mitsuboshi Design, with design activities in both the graphic and product realms. He has worked on projects for various clients, including major companies, museums, universities, and municipalities. He has received awards such as the Kids Design Award, the Good Design Award, the Good Toy Award 2020, and the DFA design for Asia 2020.
We would be honoured if we could add some colour to your room with our beautiful interior mirrors, which are the result of collaboration between the two parties.
Risk and Challenge
The production schedule is adjusted for the number of orders, assuming a large number of orders, but if the number of purchasers exceeds the number of orders expected, the delivery may be delayed due to unavoidable circumstances in the production process or delivery operations.
