About Tokeidai no Tokei

｢Tokeidai no Tokei – Part 1｣
[ Design & Text: Kazuya Koike ]

I’d like to share my thoughts on designing Tokeidai no Tokei, which was released by Lemnos in 2014. As a product designer, I mainly work on everyday items, such as household goods, interior accessories, and home appliances. My involvement often extends beyond the design itself to include branding—from developing the overall brand concept to providing creative direction—even after the product’s release.

I’ve worked on a wide range of interior products, and my collaboration with Lemnos is an example of that. This project began in 2013 and was my first experience designing a clock, which made it a particularly rewarding and memorable challenge.

The Two Functions of a Clock

When designing this clock, I reflected on the “functions” of a clock. I believe that interior products have two main functions.

One function fulfills a practical purpose, and the other satisfies the heart. Without both, a product cannot truly be considered valuable. For a clock, the practical function is the ability to clearly convey the time.
The other function lies in its presence within an interior or living space. Whether it’s a chair or a light fixture, some people prioritize harmony and cohesion, while others enjoy incorporating a sense of playfulness. Choosing interior pieces is a highly personal experience.

As for the second function, while a clock is certainly an important element to any interior, I don’t consider it to be the centerpiece. It’s often said that truly good products go unnoticed; when you become aware of an object while using it, this usually signals a sense of discord or discomfort. At first glance, this clock may give off a cool, monochrome impression; yet in reality, it blends effortlessly into any setting and harmonizes particularly well with warm, inviting spaces.

With that vision in mind, I refined the details step by step and pursued a design that would seamlessly integrate into its environment.

The name Tokeidai no Tokei (literally, Clock-Tower Clock) didn’t originate from an intention to design a clock in the style of a clock tower. Rather, as I explored what kind of clock I would want in a room, the idea emerged to create a wall clock that has a presence similar to a clock tower in a town. That’s how the name came about.