These contemporary Nendo creations offer the perfect examples as to why Toronto-born and Milan-based industrial designer Oki Sato is considered one of the more visionary creators of his generation. Through his design studio, Sato adheres strictly to his contemporary style, producing products that are fresh, minimalist and intuitive.
From the Inhale Lamp to Karabiner USB sticks designed in collaboration with Elecom, these contemporary Nendo creations are beautiful to behold and often very functional to have on hand. Although the aesthetic is more often modern than futuristic, there is a foresight to each design that does not limit it to the year or even the decade that it was made in. Instead, these contemporary Nendo creations have a timeless quality that would suit many personalities and homes.
40 Contemporary Nendo Creations
From Agriculture-Inspired Houseware to Bifocal Gadget Props:
Meghan Young — May 25, 2012 — Art & Design
40
Warm Minimalist Bathrooms
The Bisazza Bagno Nendo Collection is Organically Contemporary
39
Adorable Animal Tail Mice
Elecom Nendo Oppopet Mouse Brings Cute Creatures to Technology
38
Cascading Cube Furniture
Dancing Squares from Nendo are Artistic Interior Objects
37
Physically Illusory Furnishings
Visible Structures by Nendo Look and Feel Falsely Insubstantial
36
Leaky Sink Tablet Mounts
The Nendo Elecom Faucet Stand for Electronics is Water-Friendly
35
Separation Anxiety Furniture Sets
The Dependencies Collection Consists of Needy Tables and Lamps
34
Sucked-In Glass Lighting
The Inhale Lamp Was Quirkily Shaped in the Glassblowing Process
33
Unexpected Silhouette Smartphone Mounts
The Nendo Shadowstand Casts a Flower on the Wall
32
Intricate Illusory Shelving Units
The Scatter Shelf by Nendo is Awesomely Confusing
31
Shoe-Branded Store Fronts
The Camper Osaka Shop by Nendo Features Floating Footwear
30
Agriculture-Inspired Houseware
The 'Farming-net' Collection by Nendo is Whimsically Delicate
29
Colorful Clip-On Thumbdrives
These Elecom Karabiner USB Sticks Offer Easy Portability
28
Perching Picnic Boxes
The Nendo Kotoli for Ruinart is Inspired by Birds on Telephone Wires
27
Sterile Plastic Seating
NENDO's Pristine Transparent Chair Acts Like a Mini Hammock
26
Hat Art Installations
The Hirata No Boshi Exhibit Pays Tribute to Akio Hirata
25
Pinched Glass Lighting
The Press Lamp by NENDO is Soft, Subtle and Minimalist
24
Pleated Paper Furniture
The Cabbage Chair
23
Sketched Furniture Collections
'Thin Black Lines' from Nendo Features Barely-There Furnishings
22
Blown Plastic Lights
Nendo ‘Blown Fabric' Produces Lighting That Mimics Glass
21
Rickety Leather Recliners
The 'nendo' Leather Chair Bring Leather Strips into Style
20
Cable Constricted Mouses
The Rinkak Mouse from Nendo Puts Form Over Function
19
Door-Filled Fashion Boutiques
Indulgi by Nendo is Filled with Openings Designed to Obscure
18
Minimalist Monochromatic Rooms
The Nendo Solo Show Demonstrates the Power of Black and White
17
Woven Steel Seats
Bamboo-Steel Chair Brings Traditional Taiwanese Crafts into the 21st Century
16
See-Through Tabletops
Nendo's Transparent Table is a Whimsical Piece of Furniture
15
Abstract Suspended Vases
Nendo Growing Vases Mimic Modern Flower Vessels
14
Plaited Metal Tables
An Organic Assembly Method Has Been Applied to the Bamboo-Steel Table
13
Pebble-Like Paper Containers
Nendo Fashions Faux Wood Grain Boxes Using Lacquer & 3D Printers
12
Illusionary Floating Chairs
The Fade-Out Chair by Nendo Plays Tricks on Our Eyes
11
Lyrical Pet Abodes
The Nendo Music Cage is a Beautiful Convenience in Every Home
10
Sushi-Inspired Lighting
The Nendo Maki Pendant Lamp Looks Simply Delicious
9
Bifocal Gadget Props
The Megane Smartphone Stand Uses Faux Frames to Stand iDevices
8
Ironic Credit Crunchers
The Nendo 'Pyggy Bank' is a Twist on Your Childhood Change-Holder
7
Phonetic Mouth Dishes
TALKING Seasoning Dispensers
6
Paperclip Data Sticks
The Data Clip Organizes Your Virtual and Physical Documents
5
Avian Utensils
The Forest Spoon by Nendo is Cute and Decorative
4
Shaky Spidery Seating
The Nendo-Maruni Cord Chair Does Pull Its Weight
3
Reinvented Reindeer Design
Nendo Antler Armchair is Perfect for Christmas Parties
2
Toothpick-Like Shoehorns
The Nendo Shoehorn Minimalizes the Classic Design
1
Prismatic Computer Peripherals
The Ormie Mouse Combines Function and Form
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Playfully Serious Designs
Nik Bentel Studio Pivots from the Whimsical to the Playfully Serious
Purposeful Knife Galleries
The Tojiro Knife Gallery in Osaka Highlights Visible Craftsmanship
Origami-Inspired Ceramics
The Origami Series by Mark Goudy is Artistically Ornate
Cross-Cultural Furniture Designs
Kensaku Oshiro Designs the Baia Collection for DK3
Textured Eyewear Frames
ISSEY MIYAKE EYES Uroko Eyewear Debuts for Spring Summer 2026
Ceramic-Inspired Footwear Designs
Nike Partners with Japanese Designer Nigo for a New Silhouette
Eco-Friendly Intricate Furniture Series
Rosana Sousa Designs a Sustainable Furniture Collection
Whimsical Bird-Like Lamps
Nao Tamura Designed the Tiki Lamp Shaped like a Bird
Nature-Inspired Appliance Installations
Fisher & Paykel Unveils Nature—ritual at EuroCucina 2026
Therapy-Inspired Retail Concepts
Okamura Reimagines Retail Therapy with the Kimochi Kiosk in 2025
Interactive Lamp Designs
The Tangent Lamp Redefines How People Engage with Light in a Modern Way
Concept-Driven Retail Experiences
Artist Miya Ando X Saint Laurent Create an Immersive Exhibition
Heritage Outdoor Capsule
The North Face Japan x Sashiko Gals Apply Sashiko to Performance Wear
Marine Pollution Photo Apparel
nanamica x Mēdeia1.0 Join featuring Shomei Tomatsu's Work
Eco-Friendly Textured Lighting Series
Lanova Designs the Sustainable Terra Lamp Series
Gelato-Inspired Lamp Designs
Carlo Nason Designs the Gelato Lamp for Established & Sons
Slick Contemporary Apothecary Concepts
ODAMI Designs the Living Beauty Store in Toronto
Organically Inspired Light Fixtures
Tom Rossau Explores Geometry, Natural Materials & Light
Global Retrospective Exhibitions
NIGO: From Japan with Love opens at London’s Design Museum
Murano-Inspired Geometric Chandeliers
Luca Nichetto Creates the Gio Chandelier Lamp for &Tradition
Toy-Inspired Espresso Machines
Burcu Irmak Kuzey Designs the Koiro Espresso Machine Concept
Dinner-Inspired Couture Bags
Nik Bentel Studio's Dinner Bag is Unconventionally Functional
Air-Conditioned Futuristic Uniforms
The NTT Pavilion Uniforms are Designed by Anrealage
Theatrical Curtain-Inspired Lamps
Gupica and Fiam Italia Design the Sipario Lighting
Puzzle-Style Inclusive Furniture
Mara Bragagnolo Designs the Nook Furniture Collection
Collaborative Contemporary Furniture Lines
Knoll Unveils Several Designs at Salone Del Mobile 2026
Interaction-Based Japanese Cafe Designs
I IN Designs the New Blue Bottle Coffee Cafe in Takanawa
Ultra-Chic Sculptural Lighting Designs
A-N-D Boasted a Stunning Display of Lamps at 3daysofdesign
Sculptural Table Lamps
Dollight Series Offers Customizable Lamps in Nearly 100 Color Combinations
Cozy Contemporary Seating Solutions
The Knoll Perron Bun Lounge Chair and Ottoman are Nest-Like
Textured Modern Furniture Lines
Zanat and Studioilse Produce the Intricate Touch Collection
Stylish Retro Lamp Designs
The Joe Colombo KD 28 Table Lamp is Manufactured by Kartell
Next Generation Art Designs
Apple Designers of Tomorrow Presents New Talent at Design Miami Paris
Car-Inspired Sleek Sushi Knives
Nissan Builds the Dynamic Z NISMO Precision Sushi Knife
Unique Burl-Inspired Furniture
Don Heston Studio Unveils a New Range of Furniture
Artisanal Lighting Series
The Neotenic Collection Includes Five Handcrafted Lighting Designs
Artistically Expressive Multi-Brand Stores
Sanjay Puri Architects Has Redefined Retail Design
Heartwarming Life-Tech Apparel
nanamica Introduces a New Collection for Spring/Summer 2025
Modernist Toy-Like Coffee Makers
The 'KOIRO' Espresso Machine Concept is Playful Yet Posh
Surrealist-Inspired Tea Pots
Nik Bentel Stuns Consumers with the Tea for Two Collection
Metal Awning Offices
Uchida Shoten Office is a Renovated Workplace Designed by Schemata Architects
Intertwined Forest-Nestled Cottages
Nendo Created the Hand in Hand House in Central Japan
Japanese Concept-Inspired Homes
Freight Architects Designs the Oku House in Singapore
Minimalist Contemporary Home Designs
Hock Hoon Proudly Delivers the Hitotema Home Project
Contemporary Elegant Table Designs
Poiat Debuts Two New Exquisitely Modern Table Designs
Whimsical Toronto Luggage Stores
Ste Marie Creates a Dreamy Interior Space for Monos Store
Curved Coffee Shop Designs
Yuko Nagayama & Associates Design the AOI CELESTIE Coffee Roastery
Reimagined Sleek Cantilevered Chair
Jil Sander Launched a Reworked S 64 Chair in Milan
Sensory-Focused Furniture Design Exhibits
File Under Pop Presents the TIME SIGNATURE Installation
Architectural Lighting Solutions
Flos Emphasized Lighting Innovation and Artistic Expression
Japanese Lighting Collections
Yamagiwa Was Spotlighted at This Year's Milan Design Week
Utensil Waste Lighting
Fold Oslo Nytt Lys Capsule Shows How Light Can Emerge from Old Materials
Origami-Inspired Lighting Collections
Virginia Sins Introduces the New GAMI Collection
Refined Ritual Objects
Gejst Kydo Tray and Sina Shakers Elevate Simple Rituals with Thoughtfulness
Futuristic Immersive Lighting Experiences
Occhio Merges Illumination with Artistic Expression
Linear Wood Lamps
The Seki-Han Floor and Pendant Light is by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Sculptural Lighting Collections
Unform Studio Presents Two Innovative Collections at Milan
Sculptural Porcelain Lamps
Stefanie Hering Designs Stunning Lighting Capsules for Studio M
Camping Cutlery Tools
Mario Tsai Designs a Chopstick Maker Inspired by Pencil Sharpeners
Pleated Lighting Art Exhibtions
A-Poc Able Issey Miyake Creates the TYPE-XIII Atelier Oï Project
Rounded Armchair Designs
Naoto Fukasawa Creates Bosco Armchair for Molteni&C
Chef-Crafted Vegetable Blends
Diane von Furstenberg Launches OKO
Late Designer-Created Furniture Series
Phantom Hands Launched a Collection of Furniture
Hand-Cast Crystal Glowing Lamps
Tom Fereday Designs the Nola Lamp for Australian Brand Nau
Washi Paper-Inspired Lighting
The Shining a Light Exhibit Spotlights Gabriel Tan & Gen Taniguchi
Contemporary Modular Furniture Systems
Bujnie's Loopo System Reimagines Living Environments
Fruit-Inspired Design Collections
Yuria Kailich and Joel Harding Showcase Soft Grounds
Dynamic Furniture Designs
Entler Studio Unveils the Ceramic Planters & Beginning End Tbales
Retrospective Lighting Exhibitions
Form Portfolios Presents the ILLUMINARI Carlo Nason Exhibition
Collaborative Upcycled Collections
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Works with Toyota for Upcycled Goods
Sculpted Ceramic Lighting
MIOS 3D-Printed Ceramic Lamps Merge Digital Craft & Material Tradition
Japanese Craftsmanship-Focused Design Exhibits
JAPANMADE Vol.1 Debuts at 3daysofdesign Festival
Thoughtfully Designed Compact Restaurants
Design Next Agency Completes Loong Noodles' Interior
Origami-Inspired Floor Lamps
The Ori Lamp Folds 1 Metal Sheet into Elegant Sustainable Lighting
Ornamental Functional Furniture
Bells and Whistles Collection by Kiki Goti Reframes Embellishments
Bamboo-Inspired Glass Lighting
Fumie Shibata Designs the Bamboo Forest Glass Lighting for BROKIS
Playfully Reimagined Door Designs
Kiki and Joost Reinterpret the Door with Two Distinct Visions
Braided Furniture Collections
The Ariake Braid Collection Brings Together Two Design Traditions
Miniaturized Product Art Photographs
Taysuya Tanaka Highlights MUJI Products with Small Muji
Conceptual Fine Dining Experiences
Levi Lu Taps the Japanese Aesthetic Principle of Mono No Aware
Illuminating Stone-Made Table Lamps
Nau Design Unveils the New Sculptural Nola Lamp Duo
Dynamic Light-Filled Retail Space
Josmo Opened Up a Contemporary Flagship Store in Mumbai
Innovative Commercial Building Projects
MOTIVE Inc. Tackles the TANUKI NOBORU Bldg.
Home Decor-Functional Workout Gear
Kenko Presents a Range of Workout Gear in a Sleek Design
Contract Modular Sofa Seating
Keiji Takeuchi Designs the Mimo Modular Seating for NaughtOne
Physics-Based Artful Light Capsules
Snøhetta Designs the Aura Collection for Viabuzzuno
Expressive Furniture Series
The Bells & Whistles Capsule by Kiki Goti Explores Material Tactility
Ultra-Chic Modular Furniture Systems
NII Spotlights the PARLAMENTO Modular System by Jun Aizaki
Dynamic Moving-Illusion Furniture
Michael Jantzen Designs the Moving Furniture Series
Glossy Ceramic-Pillared Restaurant Designs
North End Design Creates the Town Restaurant
Perfect Sound-Producing Drinkware
Nendo Designs the Perfect Cheers Glass for Sapporo
Multi-Functional Furniture Systems
Edoardo Lietti Designs the Wooden Sisto Furniture
Experimental Chopstick Designs
Chopsticks 箸 Exhibition by S—3 Reinterprets East Asian Utensil
Modern Furniture Series Expansions
DEDON Introduces the New SEASHELL NUO Series of Chairs
Japanese-Designed Eyewear Collections
JINS Eyewear Launched the JINS X TAKAGI TAKUYA Collection
Collaborative Sculptural Art Sets
En Iwamura’s Neo Jomon Sculpture Set Distills Playful Minimalism
Calligraphy-Inspired Desk Accessories
The Grovemade Sumi Collection Has a Minimalist Design
Skyline Ryokan Retreats
Nobu Hotel Toronto Brings a Japanese-Inspired Sanctuary into Residentials
Vibrant Artistic Exhibitions
Takashi Murakami Japonisme Show Opens at Kaikai Kiki Gallery Tokyo
Multi-Functional Waterfront Complex Designs
Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office Presents Ray Garden
Social Interaction-Inspired Chair Designs
Zilio A&C Will Debut Two New Seating Designs in Milan
Reimagined Familiar Design Objects
Lichen + Karimoku Reimagine Familiar Forms for Today’s Living
Fluid Structural Lighting Collections
Sebastian Herkner Designs the Loja Lights for Midgard Licht
Tokyo-Inspired Collaborative Capsules
Topologie and Maison Kitsuné Join Forces on a SS25 Capsule
Pleated Fabric Lighting
A-POC ABLE Issey Miyake Lamp Capsule Uses Knit Textiles Over Wire Frames
Japanese Creative Innovation Hubs
Karimoku Furniture Introduces the Karimoku Research Hub
East-Meets-West-Inspired Layered Stools
Nao Iwatmatsu Designs the Cornice Stools to Stack
Modern Living Cleaning Collections
Tineco Boasts New Intelligent Cleaning Devices at CES 2026
Mushroom-Inspired Outdoor Light
Patrick Norguet Designs the Kinno Light for Lodes
Design-Forward Modular Seating Systems
NII Spotlights Todd Bracher's BITMAP Seating System
Modernist Artful Furniture
Lucas Simões Shows the New Colendra Furniture Collection
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Sun-Lit Kite-Inspired Lights
Michael Anastassiades Unveils His Cygnet Light at Milan Design Week
Kitchen-Focused Mending Kits
POJ Studio's Kintsugi Kit is Thoughtful and Sustainably Driven
Origami-Inspired Porcelain Art
Saori Matsushita Creates a New Range of Porcelain Pieces
Modest Minimal Toronto Restaurants
Guido Costantino Projects has Designed the Occhiolino Space
Colorful School Desk Designs
NOS Design Designs the Clever – School Desk Concept
Adjustable Sculptural Desk Lamps
Lumio's OVO Lamp Moves Along with Users' Day
24-Faceted Color Lamps
Ingrid Ng Designs the Aoi Lamp with Hidden Interior Hues
Earthen Workshop Houses
Haniyasu House by Aatismo Reconnects Living Spaces with Ceramic Craft
Sophisticated Rug Lines
Massimo Copenhagen is a Distinctive Voice in Contemporary Interior Design
Evening Sky-Inspired Lighting Fixtures
YAMAGIWA Corporation Debuts the TWILIGHT Capsule
Tokyo Office Interior
Uchida Shoten Office is a Renovated Workplace by Schemata Architects
Veneer Furniture Collections
Layered Nature by nendo for ALPI Explores Stacked Wood Veneer
Comfort-Focused Furniture Capsules
Humanscale Preents sthe Living Collection at Salone del Mobile
Sophisticated Table System Designs
NII Spotlights the CONNEXA Table System by Rodolfo Agrella
Community-Centric Sculptural Installations
Naoto Fukasawa & Jakuets Design the Playful Sculptures
American-Made Sake Brands
Kintsugi Sake Blends Japanese Brewing Traditions with Modern Innovation
Sizable Urban Regeneration Projects
Nikken Sekkei Tackles a Mixed-Use Complex in Osaka
Cultural Japa Pavilions
Japa Valley Tokyo Reimagines Napa Luxury Through Art and Sake
Compact Urban Residences
House in Nakano by HoaaHOAABalances Privacy and Openness
Stackable Compact Sake Set
The NON Sake Set Combines Tradition with Discreet, Sculptural Design
Ergonomic Seating Designs
The Oko Chair by Lucidi Pevere Features Sculpted Continuous Shell
Valley-Inspired Offices
Wataru Architects' Kitaoka Group Office Redefines Workspace in Mima City
Elegant Wooden Seating
The Miko Armchair is Defined by Refined Steam Bent Simplicity
Porous Cast Metal Lighting
The Aperire Lamp by Kenji Abe is Cast from Discarded Aluminum Cans
Speaker Part-Garnered Art Installations
Juyong Shim Presents NEW CRAFTMANSHIP: A NEW WORLD
Playfully Structured Table Designs
E-ggs Designs the Nami Capsule of Tables for Miniforms
Sketch-Based Striking Sunglasses
Shinzo Tamura Rethinks Eyewear from the Lens Outward
Forest-Nestled Poetic Cakeshops
Studio Takuya Hosokai Designs the 45° Space in Niigata