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A Desk Designed for Manga Artists

Designers regularly benefit from art, but how often do artists benefit directly from furniture design? A series of interviews between Nendo head Oki Sato and manga artist Yusei Matsui has culminated in a beautiful new piece of furniture, shaped specifically for the needs of a cartoonist. 

The conceptual collaboration started with Sato’s interest in manga, which he enjoys while relaxing and traveling. Sato and Yusei Matsui, creator of the popular Assassination Classroom, met numerous times to discuss their different creative processes, work environments, and inspirations. The series was initially used for a TV series, and eventually produced in a book and friendly exchange of design gifts. 

Sato’s gift was the creation of the Cartoonist Desk. This desk design combines features appreciated by many types of artists, maximizes flexibility and eliminates clutter. The L-shaped side was initially a gesture towards Matsui’s lefthandedness, and it doubles as a privacy divider. The backdrop and wall feature modular attachments for holding accessories and shelving, arranged to the users’ preference. 

The two neatest features (in my opinion) are the option for hanging monitors, which would increase the working area beneath them dramatically, and the dust shelf. This funny hidden ledge perches below the main work area and allows the artist to brush eraser bits to the back of the desk, where they’re caught below for easy removal later. I’d probably find a way to bruise my knees on it but the system is fun, elegant and relatable.

All in all an enviable workspace, regardless of what you’re drawing up.