Interview with Takashi Sogabe

Takashi Sogabe is the designer of the Sony e-book PRS-505. After graduating from university in 1983, Takashi Sogabe joined the Sony Corporation. In 1996, he took a post at the Design Center of Sony Electronics Inc. in New Jersey, USA. After returning to Japan in 1999, he was involved in a wide range of design projects. Since  November 2007, he has been with Sony Computer Entertainment, where he is director of the product design team.

What was your inspiration for the product?
Takashi Sogabe: There was a strong desire for a purely simple, streamlined design that would make the most of our technical expertise and use of beautiful materials. I wanted a feeling close to what you’d get with a real book, turning the pages. The results of that effort can be seen in the sleek surface and the edges around the page buttons, and the cover, which has the look of a real book cover.

What factors were important to you in your choice of materials?
Takashi Sogabe: I didn’t want a plastic touch, but wanted a texture, strength and durability that only genuine materials could offer. I wanted materials that would enable people to casually slip it into their bags and carry it around, so I chose an extruded aluminium for its all-round excellent qualities – it is light, tough, and nice to look at. The result is a snappy design that offers a really smart reading style.

What is the design philosophy behind all the products you create?
Takashi Sogabe: The source of my designs are all the things that catch my visual attention every day. When I see something that appeals to my eyes, like a car, a building, or a nicely decorated room, somehow I’m able to grab hold of its design details or elements, and store them away in my mind. Then, when I have to work on a project design theme, some of those design elements come back to me one after another, creating images that become a new product. It’s a bit like a chef being given some fresh and attractive ingredients – suddenly ideas for a great meal come to mind. I think that’s part of being a designer to keep storing design elements in your mind, and have them ready for use.

In your opinion, what do you think is the economic significance of design in the field of home electronics?
Takashi Sogabe: Taking this PRS-505 as an example, while it is so small and thin, it can hold information equivalent to hundreds of encyclopedias or paperbacks. Its economic impact is immeasurable. And, unlike a liquid crystal display, there is no backlight, so its electricity consumption is minimal, and it is easy on the eyes. The technology and design bring it close to book page appearance. Paperlessness and extra-low energy consumption translate into very interesting economic potential.