Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to conceive.
Napoleon Hill

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Sorry about the slow update. I will make posts of the future gadget concepts soon.

I love life because what more is there.
Anthony Hopkins

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As I mentioned on the previous post and Twitter, I became lead designer for Compath.me (I’m still freelancing on the side). Joining only in last month, I worked on almost all the designs Compath.me used to have. The best part about becoming a member of a team of Compath.me is the depth of my involvement in their projects is completely different from when I do freelancing jobs for clients. Also the CEO– Mr.Ando fully trusts on my designer’s instinct, which is also not the case for client cases.

iPhone App Design

Facebook Fanpage Design

Website Design– For desktop&smartphone

Concept Video

& Everything Else… (cards, fliers, flag, T-shirt, sticker, another video, etc.)

Compath.me was the first and only startup showcased in TechCocktail in SXSW. I’ve been at SXSW in Austin now, meeting lots of lots of people, having fun introducing the app. There will be press coverage after the even is over, so I’ll post updates.

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
Albert Einstein

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I’m pleased to announce I’ve joined Compath.me as designer and communication manager.

Compath.me connects your interests and location to help you discover the world around you. We will help you discover popular spots, restaurants, shops, events, and items that are nearby. Compath is not a regular photo sharing app – it is a compass of your life.

Compath.me is one of 16 finalists of Le Web’11 16 Startup Competition (video). I’ve been using this app for a while already and found it’s very useful and fun. I’m thrilled to have a chance to get involved in this team!

You can follow Compath.me on Twitter.

I’ll keep doing my freelance business, too.

It is the lives we encounter that make life worth living.
Guy de Maupassant

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When you have something you want to make with paper, you cut/fold paper to make the shape.
I wish however, there were paper and ink that do the ‘folding’ and ‘cutting’ automatically. You send the data of the shape you want to make from your computer/mobile to the printer. The paper you printed out automatically starts to cut and fold itself!

If that really happens, you’d be able to make various complicated paper models with no efforts. It’d be even cool if you could download 3D data from a gallery like Google 3D Warehouse, print it out and you get it in your hand. You download a physical thing!

But wait! If you could even control not only where and how far to fold but also when to fold via bluetooth or wifi, it means you could move paper as you like without touching it. (It’s like embedding Javascript in paper!)

And the shape-shifting concepts like the below one wouldn’t need any complicated mechanisms if such paper technology were available.

(Photoshopped just a bit)

These are some of the first rough mock-ups I made last year. I was planning to bring them to Re:publica in Berlin for my speech there. However on the very same day when the first mock-ups arrived to my house on March 11th, the earthquake happened (I was miraculously at home waiting for the delivery), which caused catastrophic damages not only in this country but places all around the globe, and my business was also affected from it. So I had to hold the plan for some time. And now I’m restarting to make the dream come true.

They are the very first mock-ups and pretty roughly made, so it’s not the level to show anyone yet, but I hope you can picture what it will be like to hold it in your hand.

I’m now looking for a sponsor to make this dream come true. Contact me if you’re interested.

When a man has put a limit on what he will do, he has put a limit on what he can do.
Charles M. Schwab

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The one concept I was preparing for as the last 2011 post couldn’t be in time. Sorry.

This is the second year since I started freelancing. Here are what I’m doing now and it could be an excuse for the fewer posts for this blog than last year.

Software

• NCDC: working closely with this Japanese company for iPhone/iPad/Android apps
• 1 Android related software everyone can use (and love?) and more in 2012 also on iPhone
• A few other GUIs for some interesting futuristic platforms
• A fashion website to go live soon

Hardware

• A few thrilling smartphone concepts + tablet devices
• Graphic designs for smartphone cases for 2 companies
• Smart city architecture concepts

Others

• Writing for Jonny Holland
• Collaboration with MONO-LAB Japan to develop some products

I can tell 2012 will be one of the most exciting years in my life. Strongly believe many people around the globe will have chances to see what I make (not just concepts). Just can’t wait to introduce all the above products/services as soon as I can!

Thank you all for reading this blog. I’ve restarted blogging in Japanese on Blogger. I use Facebook for casual talks and Twitter for inspirations.

I wish you all the best in 2012!