Interview with Lexus LS Interior Designer Junko Itou


Design Milk has an insightful interview with Lexus LS interior designer Junko Itou on the need to balance tradition with innovation inside the flagship sedan:

Design Milk: Is there any friction in the process of bridging tradition with the necessity of innovation?

Junko Itou: No. While I admit there is difficulty in simultaneously working between tradition and progress, I find the conflicting elements can ultimately create harmony. We believe that we are the brand who always overcomes these difficulties. It is Lexus. We believe the definition of luxury changes over time, and it is our mission to balance traditional and visionary luxury.

Design Milk: There seems to be a material narrative across every panel and surface inside your design – distinct yet coexisting harmoniously. What was the process in determining which materials to use and how to coordinate their coexistence without creating visual/tactile disharmony?

Junko Itou: We’ve been thinking how we can make things seem conflicting, yet compatible at a high level when choosing each material. Also, choosing materials in line with interior designer’s intention is paramount. To coordinate the coexistence of several materials, we began by formulating three concepts: Superior, Emotional, and Timeless.

Based on each of those themes, we selected color, material and finish as our focus. As the idea of the LS interior world became clear, we were able to coordinate the appropriate color, material and finish, even if it seemed difficult. Additionally, Takumi craftsmanship was necessary to complete it.

Lexus LS: Fourth Generation
Comments












CIF
The point is, this is beneath Lexus to be even spending time on, or focusing on this technology. This is a very standard technology, that as you mentioned, has been used on Toyotas for many years. Also a number of competitors have used this technology for years as well. There is nothing 'new' about it.
uh, why? You have no idea how it works and how effective it is in LS, but it is beneath Lexus? Do you think it is exactly the same thing they had in Crown in 2007? I very much doubt it.
CIF
The point is, this is beneath Lexus to be even spending time on, or focusing on this technology. This is a very standard technology, that as you mentioned, has been used on Toyotas for many years. Also a number of competitors have used this technology for years as well. There is nothing 'new' about it.
uh, why? You have no idea how it works and how effective it is in LS, but it is beneath Lexus? Do you think it is exactly the same thing they had in Crown in 2007? I very much doubt it.
p.s. weight is up to 5200lbs? So similar to heaviest BMW and MB.
p.s. weight is up to 5200lbs? So similar to heaviest BMW and MB.
spwolf
p.s. weight is up to 5200lbs? So similar to heaviest BMW and MB.
yeah I heard that in Motoman's review but according to Lexus the LS loss weight so we shall see who is right.
spwolf
p.s. weight is up to 5200lbs? So similar to heaviest BMW and MB.
yeah I heard that in Motoman's review but according to Lexus the LS loss weight so we shall see who is right.
Here is my look at the LS 500h AWD in Ibiza..... it seems we won't get this interior option in the USA...

Here is my look at the LS 500h AWD in Ibiza..... it seems we won't get this interior option in the USA...

M
mikeavelli
Here is my look at the LS 500h AWD in Ibiza..... it seems we won't get this interior option in the USA...

Really? No Black & Red in North America? That is my favourite interior so far
M
mikeavelli
Here is my look at the LS 500h AWD in Ibiza..... it seems we won't get this interior option in the USA...

Really? No Black & Red in North America? That is my favourite interior so far
Max323
Really? No Black & Red in North America? That is my favourite interior so far
We get the F-Sport Red and Black....not this one...
Max323
Really? No Black & Red in North America? That is my favourite interior so far
We get the F-Sport Red and Black....not this one...
mikeavelli
Here is my look at the LS 500h AWD in Ibiza..... it seems we won't get this interior option in the USA...

is this first Lexus with leather (especially seat matching) around instrument binnacle?
mikeavelli
Here is my look at the LS 500h AWD in Ibiza..... it seems we won't get this interior option in the USA...

is this first Lexus with leather (especially seat matching) around instrument binnacle?
Nice exterior colour but interior, I am not into beige
Nice exterior colour but interior, I am not into beige
Nice exterior colour but interior, I am not into beige
throwback
throwback
throwback
Interesting to now several months later re look at all these original comments. I think with the rumored lauch of the V8 model that Lexus have been teasing us! This car continues to look better and better and will move Lexus right up with the old big timers. Lexus can and will continue to move upwards they know what they have to do.
One wonders about the bottom of the range I am hoping that the CT will be renewed and that it is substantially improved with more luxury features, to own a Lexus is a unique experience and Lexus has to ensure that this remarkable attribute not only continues but improves further.

R