Ken Okuyama (born 1959) is a Japanese industrial designer. He is the owner of the Ken Okuyama Design company. Okuyama formerly worked for

Pininfarina Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930. On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...

, designing and supervising projects such as the

Enzo Ferrari Enzo Anselmo Giuseppe Maria Ferrari (; 20 February 1898 – 14 August 1988) was an Italians, Italian motor racing driver and entrepreneur, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, and subsequently of the Ferrari ...

and

Ferrari P4/5 The Ferrari P4/5 (officially known as the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina) is a one-off sports car made by Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari but redesigned by Pininfarina for film director James Glickenhaus, son of stock exchange magnate Seth G ...

. His given name is but goes by outside Japan. He was born in the city of Yamagata, Japan, lives in Tokyo, and speaks Japanese, Italian, and English fluently.

Career

Okuyama graduated in 1986 from the

Art Center College of Design Art Center College of Design (stylized as ArtCenter College of Design) is a private art college in Pasadena, California. History ArtCenter College of Design was founded in 1930 in downtown Los Angeles as the Art Center School. In 1935, Fred R. ...

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district. I ...

. For the next three years he was a visiting professor at

Tohoku University of Art and Design is a private university in Yamagata, Yamagata, Japan. History Established in April 1992 by the governments of Yamagata Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Yamagata Prefecture has a population of 1, ...

. In 1991, he returned to teach part-time at the Art Center College of Design. Between 2000 and 2004, he was Chair of the Transportation Design Department at the college, but in 2004 he was offered a job at Pininfarina. Okuyama worked for

General Motors The General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is the largest automaker in the United States and ...

and

Porsche Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, usually shortened to Porsche (; see #Pronunciation, below), is a German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars, SUVs and sedans, headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany ...

, helping design the new generation of the

Porsche 911 The Porsche 911 (pronounced ''Nine Eleven'' or in german: Neunelfer) is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car introduced in September 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a rear-mounted flat-six engine and origin ...

(aka 996) as well as the Boxster. Before moving to Pininfarina, he worked for General Motors in the Advanced Concepts Center in California. On 10 May 2004, Ken Okuyama began work as Creative Director at Pininfarina. He had been working with Pininfarina before, supervising the design of the

. As Creative Director Ken oversaw projects including the

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (internal code F141) is a grand tourer produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari. It was the brand's front engined, two-seat model that replaced the 575M Maranello in 2006 as a 2007 model, and was replaced fo ...

, Ferrari 456M GT,

Ferrari California The Ferrari California (Type F149) is a Grand tourer, grand touring, high performance sports car created by the Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari. It is a two-door 2+2 (car body style), 2+2 Retractable hardtop, hard top convertible. When ori ...

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (Type F137) () is an executive 2+2 coupé grand tourer manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari between 2004 and 2010. It was designed to replace the smaller 456; its larger size makes it a true 4 sea ...

Chevrolet Camaro (fourth generation) The fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is a pony car that was produced by American automobile manufacturer General Motors for the 1993 through 2002 model years. It was introduced on an updated F-body platform, but retained the same characteris ...

, Ferrari Rossa (Concept car), Mitsubishi Colt CZC,

Maserati Birdcage 75th The Maserati Birdcage 75th is a functional concept car designed and developed by a Pininfarina design team led by Lowie Vermeersch, including Jason Castriota and Giuseppe Randazzo under the direction of Ken Okuyama. It was first introduced at the ...

Maserati Quattroporte V The Maserati Quattroporte () is a four-door full-size luxury sports sedan produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati. The name translated from Italian means "four doors". The car is currently in its sixth generation, with the first g ...

and

. In 2006, Okuyama left Pininfarina and set up his own design firm, Newton Design Lab. In late 2007, Okuyama launched the ''Ken Okuyama Eyes collection'', an eyewear collection manufactured in Japan. In 2008, Ken Okuyama presented his first concept car under his own name, the K.O. 7 Spider, a

carbon fiber reinforced polymer Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon compo ...

and unpainted

aluminium Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. I ...

two-seater. The K.O. 7 was unveiled at the

Geneva Motor Show The Geneva International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport. The Salon is organised by th ...

in March 2008. Ken Okuyama has cooperated with the luxury watch producer

TAG Heuer TAG Heuer S.A. ( ) is a Swiss luxury watchmaker that designs, manufactures and markets watches and fashion accessories, as well as eyewear and mobile phones manufactured under license by other companies and carrying the TAG Heuer brand name. ...

, having fitted the TAG Heuer Grand Carrera at the dashboard of the car. The interior of the concept car was inspired by the design of the TAG Heuer watch. In 2008, Ken Okuyama's design studio produced the first 20 models of the K.O. 7 Spider, already pre-sold to an "inner circle" of the designer's fans. It was followed by the production of 99 cars in 2009 and 99 more in 2010. In 2016, Ken Okuyama revealed the Kode 57. This will be an additional member to the limited-edition family, as only five units will be produced. Forbes Magazine stated "Enzo Ferrari Designer Stuns Monterey With Breathtaking Kode 57 Supercar".

Projects

Railway vehicles

* JR East

E6 Series Shinkansen The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on '' Komachi'' " mini-shinkansen" services on the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo to since 16 March 2013. A pre-series s ...

, introduced in March 2013 * JR East

E7 Series Shinkansen The and Shinkansen are Japanese high-speed train types operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR-West), respectively. They were jointly developed. The E7 series has operated since 15 March 2014. It a ...

, introduced in March 2014 * Rebuilt

KiHa 141 series The is a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on the Sassho Line in Japan since 1990. The cars were rebuilt from former 50 series locomotive-hauled coaches. Variants A total of 44 cars were ...

coaches for the JR East ''

SL Ginga The is a steam-hauled " Joyful Train" (excursion train) operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) primarily on the Kamaishi Line in the north-east Tohoku Region of Japan since April 2014. The train consists of restored JNR Class C58 ste ...

excursion train An excursion train is a chartered train run for a special event or purpose. Examples are trains to major sporting event, trains run for railfans or tourists, and special trains operated by the railway company for employees and prominent customer ...

, introduced on the

Kamaishi Line The is a rural railway line in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It connects Hanamaki Station in the city of Hanamaki with Kamaishi Station in the city of Kamaishi. History The precursor to the li ...

in April 2014 * Revised colour scheme for JR East

E3 Series Shinkansen The is a Japan, Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for ''Komachi (train), Komachi'' services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with the opening of the new Akita Shinkansen "mini-shinkansen" line, a regular Narrow gauge ra ...

fleet used on '' Tsubasa'' services from April 2014 * JR East E3 series ''Toreiyu'' excursion train, entering service on the

Yamagata Shinkansen The is a Mini-shinkansen route in Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It provides service between Tokyo and Shinjō in Yamagata Prefecture over the tracks of the Tohoku Shinkansen and the Ōu Main Line. The term Yamaga ...

from July 2014 *

E235 series The is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter and suburban train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The commuter variant was introduced on Yamanote Line services in November 2015, and the suburban variant entered servic ...

commuter trains for the

Yamanote Line The Yamanote Line ( ja, 山手線, Yamanote-sen) is a loop service in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It is one of Tokyo's busiest and most important lines, connecting most of Tokyo's major stations and urban ...

in Tokyo, scheduled to be introduced in November 2015 * JR East

E353 series The is a DC tilting electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan on limited express services on the Chuo Main Line since December 2017. A pre-series train, consisting of one nine-car set ...

''Super Azusa'' trains entering service in 2015 *

HB-E300 series The is a hybrid diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on "resort train" services on scenic lines in Japan since October 2010. Design The HB-E300 series is based on the KiHa E200 hybrid DMU type ...

4-car hybrid DMU set for use on '' Resort Shirakami - Buna'' services in the north of Japan from July 2016 * JR East

E001 series The , branded is a hybrid electric/diesel deluxe sleeping-car excursion train operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) since 1 May 2017. The Train Suite Shiki-shima is one of the world's most exclusive and expensive trains. Design ...

''Train Suite Shiki-shima'' luxury cruise train, scheduled to enter service in May 2017 *

Tobu 500 series The , branded , is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway on limited express services in Japan since 21 April 2017. 11 three-car sets (33 vehicles in total) have been built by Kawasaki H ...

limited express trains entering service in spring 2017 * New trains for the

Kobe Municipal Subway The is a rapid transit system in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Like other large Japanese cities, Kobe's subway system is heavily complemented by suburban rail. In addition, two people mover lines also serve the Kobe area: the Port Island Line ...

Seishin-Yamate Line The , also known by its nickname of "Midori no U-Line" ( ja, みどりのUライン, lit=The green "U" line), is one of the two lines of the Kobe Municipal Subway. It links the central districts to the east and western suburbs of Kobe. The line ...

, entering service in fiscal 2018 * Osaka Metro 400 series, entering service in April 2023 * JR East

E8 Series Shinkansen The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type on order for '' Tsubasa'' services announced on 3 March 2020. It is intended to replace the E3 series, raising the top speed of the service from to . It is designed by Ken Okuyama, in cooper ...

, entering service in 2024 File:E6-E5-Coupling in omiya 20130320.jpg, An E6 series shinkansen set in March 2013 File:Series-E7-F19.jpg, An E7 series shinkansen set in February 2021 File:SLginga-kiha141.JPG, The rebuilt KiHa 141 series cars for the ''SL Ginga'' excursion trainset in May 2014 File:E3-700 R18 Toreiyu 1 20140719.jpg, The E3 series ''Toreiyu'' excursion trainset in July 2014 File:Series-E235-0 9.jpg, The first E235 series trainset in May 2021 File:Series-E353-S116.jpg, A E353 series trainset in November 2020 File:JR East E001 Train Suite Shiki-shima Kōzu 2016 0907.jpg, The E001 series ''Train Suite Shiki-shima'' cruise train on delivery in September 2016 File:JR East EV-E301 Series BEMU 101.JPG, A EV301 series set in April 2014

Cars

Honda NSX (first generation) The first generation Honda NSX (''New Sportscar eXperimental''), marketed in North America and Hong Kong as the Acura NSX, is a 2-seater, mid-engine sports car that was manufactured by Honda in Japan from 1990 until 2005. Development Around ...

* Mitsubishi Colt CZC * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode7 * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode7 clubman * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode7 SeriesII * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode8 * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode9 * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode9 Spyder * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode57 Enji * KEN OKUYAMA DESIGN・Kode0 * Ferrari 456M GT * Ferrari Rossa (Concept car) *

(Concept car) *

(Concept car)

Other Projects

* OHC
M.8LE
(limited edition) massage chair. * OHC
M.8
massage chair. * OHC
M.DX
massage chair. * OHC
R.6
massage chair. Ken Okuyama designed the M-series and R-series massage chairs with a swing door in partnership with Furniture for Lif
(FFL)
FFL is Inc. 5000 company based in Boulder, Colorado. File:OHCOM8LEMassageChair.jpg, OHCO M.8LE Massage Chair * Gundam G40 (Industrial Design Ver.) (HG) File:Ken okuyama design kode7 131127.JPG, Kode7 File:Ken okuyama design kode7clubman 131127.JPG, Kode7 Clubman File:Ken okuyama design kode9naname 131127.JPG, Kode9 File:Ken okuyama design Yanmar yt01 131127.JPG,

Yanmar is a Japanese diesel engine, Heavy equipment, heavy machinery and agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in Osaka, Japan in 1912. Yanmar manufactures and sells engines used in a wide range of applications, including seagoing vessels, pleasu ...

YT01 File:Kode57 front 20160819 162707.jpg, Kode57 Enji File:Kode57 20160819 134448.jpg, Kode57 Enji Rear

Awards

The following were awarded to either Ken Okuyama, car, or other project he worked with others to design: *The Pininfarina Metrocubo won ''The Best Interior Design of the Year Award'' in 1999 *The Ferrari Rossa, designed by Okuyama, won ''The Best Concept Car of The Year'' award in 2000 *The

won the ''Best Concept'' prize at the Editors Choice Awards by

Autoweek ''Autoweek'' is a car culture publication based in Detroit, Michigan. It was first published in 1958 and in 1977 the publication was purchased by Crain Communications Inc, its current parent company. The magazine was published weekly and focused ...

*The Maserati Birdcage 75th won the ''

Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Malletier, commonly known as Louis Vuitton (, ), is a French high-end Luxury goods, luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton (designer), Louis Vuitton. The label's LV monogram appears on most of its produc ...

Classic Concept Award'' which Pininfarina gave to Okuyama *The prestigious Hall of Fame award “La Bella Macchina” was given to Ken Okuyama at Concorso Italiano on August 20, 2016. *201
Consumer Electronics Show Innovation Honor
awarded in the Fitness, Sports, and Biotech Category for the OHCO M.8 * 2019 ePDA (European Product Design Award) for the OHCO M.8 * 2019 Pinnacle Award in Furniture for the OHCO M.8 * 2020 Good Design award for the OHCO M.8

References

External links

*
Yamagata Koubou websiteOHCO Massage Chairs website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okuyama 1959 births Art Center College of Design people Japanese automobile designers Japanese expatriates in Italy Living people People from Yamagata Prefecture Pininfarina people Ferrari people