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2013.02.11|

DESIGNERS

Karmann Ghia Maintenance 2

AD CORE DEVISE DESIGNER BLOG Vol.6 It's been a month since I sprained my leg, and I'm finally able to walk without a cane. I received many sympathetic emails in my recent newsletter. Thank you all. I haven't driven my Karmann Ghia in the past month. I was worried about the battery, but when I started the engine for the first time in a while, it started right up! I replaced the shift lever with a VINTAGE SPPED quick shifter. It has 35% less stroke than the standard, allowing for quicker shift changes. I had been using an EMPI quick shifter, but it wasn't vintage-style, so I replaced it with this one. VINTAGE SPPED is a Taiwanese manufacturer that offers tuning parts that focus on the original style. Having such a valuable manufacturer is a blessing for classic car owners like us. There's a growing trend toward sticking to the original design of classic cars. While old, original parts fetch high prices, using original parts increases their value and leads to higher sales. Some people renovate LA homes using original door hinges, locks, electrical outlets, and other items appropriate for the era, adding value to them and selling them. Just like cars, these are more valuable than casual renovations. (Noboru Seto, Creative Director, AD CORE DEVISE)

2013.02.08|

PRESS

Tableware Festival 2013

AD CORE DEVISE PRESS BLOG Vol.2 I went to the Tableware Festival 2013 at Tokyo Dome. Raynaud, who regularly assists us with showroom displays, was exhibiting. The white base and vibrant colors of French Limoges porcelain always excite me: "So cute!" and "I want to eat on tableware like that!" The special overseas feature, "Yusai's Dining Table," also featured dining scene suggestions by Tomoko Masaki of A La Table, a leading expert in food space design. The vibrant exhibit was overflowing with the charm of Raynaud tableware. Our company has previously held a table setting seminar with Masaki, and I'm so excited to experience more of Raynaud's tableware and her charming personality that I need to start planning a new seminar soon. The Tableware Festival 2013 runs until February 11th (national holiday). Be sure to check it out. There are plenty of items available for purchase on the spot, so it's fun. (AD CORE DEVISE Public Relations / Mikio Yoshifusa) For Raynaud's site, click here. For A La Table site, click here.　

2013.02.08|

DESIGNERS

American car used in BOTTEGA VENETA advertising photo

AD CORE DEVISE DESIGNER BLOG Vol.5 The other day, while browsing a magazine in the lounge at Haneda Airport, I noticed a photo of a 1970s American car in a BOTTEGA VENETA ad. It was a standard sedan, no less. Even I, a car expert, couldn't figure out what kind of car it was. Recently, I've seen ads featuring American cars from the 70s and 60s, and they were just ordinary sedans. Ron Herman's West Coast fashion would make sense, but why an Italian brand? Perhaps they were trying to convey a relaxed, American vibe. There's a growing generation that somehow finds 70s and 60s American cars cool. Tom Cruise's latest film features a 70 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. The "Gran Torino," the name of the movie directed and starring Clint Eastwood, is also based on a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. I personally think it's cool. But what about the American cars in BOTTEGA VENETA's ad? The A-mode catalogue for A-Dicore Devices also features American cars photographed in LA. (A-Dicore Devices Creative Director / Noboru Seto)

2013.02.08|

SALES

Small pleasures on the go

AD CORE DEVISE SALES BLOG Vol.2 One of the joys of a sales trip is enjoying a delicious lunch. Let me introduce a recent favorite: Akabanebashi Shinano (Soba/Udon). This country soba noodle shop was originally located in Toranomon. It was run by an older couple, so I assumed it had closed recently due to the "MacArthur Road Area Redevelopment" project, which has a strong real estate smell. However, I happened to rediscover it the other day in Akabanebashi. Their hand-made udon and soba noodles are perfectly cooked and firm, making them exquisite. The additional kenchinjiru soup can be enjoyed as a drink with chili pepper or as a dipping sauce for soba or udon, allowing for a variety of flavors to be enjoyed. While I'm supposed to be in the office, I find it easier to understand customers face-to-face, and I can better understand their feelings when I speak to them face-to-face. Please feel free to call them in for a meeting. Don't forget to also let me know about nearby restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious lunch. (AD CORE DEVISE Sales Department/Akito Yanase)

2013.02.07|

DESIGN

I was wrapping it...

AD CORE DEVISE DESIGN BLOG Vol.4 Yesterday, there were a lot of issues, including train delays due to the snowfall, but on my way home, I looked around and saw that there was a little bit of snow on the ground, and there was about 1cm of snow on my car. I thought I should clear the snow off my car, so I looked at it, and noticed that it had piled up in a strange way. Wondering what it was, I took a closer look and... the snow was wrapped around me like a sheet of cloth. Perhaps it was the effect of the temperature rising during the day and the snow mixed with rain, but the thin layer of snow that had accumulated in the morning slid across the windshield and the weight of the snow caused it to wrap around me. Even though it was a coincidence, I thought it was something you don't see very often, and laughed at the moment. I felt that it was probably a thoughtful attempt to clear the snow. Depending on how you look at it, the naturally formed shape also looks like a sofa, so I wanted to sit on it and see how it felt. I hope to be able to share more coincidences like this in the future. (AD CORE DEVISE Planning and Development/Kikuchi Yusuke)

2013.02.07|

SHOWROOM

Introducing our partner. (Tokyo showroom)

AD CORE DEVISE SHOWROOM BLOG Vol.7 Something exciting happened yesterday! A customer who came to the store in the snow purchased my favorite LINEA chair, which I introduced on my blog the other day. (He didn't seem to know this though ^^;) He sat on various chairs and seemed to really like them. This is the happiest moment of my time in the showroom. The i-pad is very useful when deciding on the upholstery and wood color. We showed him examples of our products and decided on the specifications. The catalog and memo functions on this i-pad are also very useful. It's an indispensable companion. However, just like a cell phone, he is only able to use the basic functions. I would like to be able to use it a little more... (Showroom Staff: Kita Maiko)

2013.02.05|

SHOWROOM

New material Varia is on display (Osaka showroom)

AD CORE DEVISE SHOWROOM BLOG Vol.6 Many customers have inquired about VARIA, a new material from the American company 3form. It is also on display at our Shinsaibashi showroom in Osaka. The resin design panels have various plants and flowers sandwiched into them, making each one uniquely different, which is one of its charms. In each showroom, the shelves are lit from behind, making them even more vibrant. There are a variety of colors, surface finishes, and thicknesses. Please take a look and take a look. (Showroom Manager: Aoki Yukiko)

2013.02.04|

DESIGNERS

The Sin of Robert Capa's "The Falling Soldier"

AD CORE DEVISE DESIGNER BLOG Vol.4 Yesterday, NHK aired Sawaki Kotaro's detective documentary, "Battlefield Photography: Tackling the Greatest Mystery." I was shocked and disappointed when I first watched it, but then I learned that Capa's (real name Friedman Endre Ernö) "Falling Soldier" photograph sealed Capa's own untimely death. "Falling Soldier" is famous for capturing a Popular Front soldier's collapse after being shot in the head, but the photo was taken during a training exercise, and the soldier survived. And most shockingly, it was likely taken by Capa's girlfriend, Gerda, rather than by Capa himself. Capa, who gained so much fame with "Falling Soldier," rushed through life in order to capture a photo that surpassed "Falling Soldier." As someone who I liked, I felt a heavy heart after watching the program. The "falling soldier" has certainly become a target for photojournalists, and when I think about how many photographers lost their lives on the dangerous battlefields trying to surpass it, I can't help but think that it was a truly sinful photograph. Sawada Kyoichi, who raced through the battlefields in admiration of Capa, was probably one of them. Perhaps the Japanese female photographer mentioned the other day, and many other photographers, could have avoided death. (Seto Noboru, Creative Director, ADCORE DIVIDES)

2013.02.04|

SHOWROOM

Desk chandelier (Nagoya showroom)

AD CORE DEVISE SHOWROOM BLOG Vol.5 At the counter of our Nagoya showroom, we have a desk chandelier made with lavish crystals from Swarovski, a global crystal glass brand based in the Tyrol region of Austria. I'm always fascinated by the light of these delicately cut crystals... Seeing the luxurious light of this chandelier always gives me energy. The shadows created by the light are also very beautiful. We also have floor lamps and the Israeli lighting brand "AQUA." We have a wide variety of products, so please come and take a look. (Showroom Manager: Odagiri Satoko)

2013.01.30|

DESIGNERS

From a designer's perspective.

AD CORE DEVISE DESIGNER BLOG Vol.2 Welcome to our renewed website. I'm Seto, a designer. This blog will not only provide official information, but I also want to casually share things I find interesting or intriguing from a designer's perspective, as well as my favorite cars and fashion. I haven't posted much on Facebook, so I apologize to anyone who sent me a friend request. From now on, I'd like to use this blog to post information from the perspective of a designer on a daily basis. (Seto Noboru, Creative Director, AD CORE DEVISE)

2013.01.30|

SHOWROOM

Why not take a seat and take your time? (Tokyo showroom)

AD CORE DEVISE SHOWROOM BLOG Vol.2 The chairs we sit on every day are often the ones we sit on casually. Have you ever taken the time to sit down and compare them? The comfort of each chair is completely different depending on the structure, material, and shape. The way you choose also depends on where you will be using it and the purpose. We are sure you will find your favorite chair from among these. After you have chosen, you can choose the fabric and wood color you like. That is one of the fun parts. Of course, you can just sit down and compare them. If you are interested, please come and talk to us at the showroom. (Showroom staff: Kita Maiko)

2013.01.30|

SHOWROOM

Beautiful art panels (Osaka showroom)

AD CORE DEVISE SHOWROOM BLOG Vol.3 At our Shinsaibashi showroom in Osaka, we are exhibiting panels in which AD CORE products have been transformed into colorful art. Not only tables and chairs, but even shelves are colorfully decorated, giving them a different look. All of the products that you can actually see have been turned into art panels. Starting this year, we are also exhibiting photographs taken in Los Angeles. These have a different impression from the art panels, focusing on photographs that were actually used in our catalogs. The design was created by Hiroshi Takahara, the graphic designer who also works on our catalogs. We are creating a variety of atmospheres depending on the products and location on display, including lighting and panels. Please feel free to visit us. We look forward to seeing you. (Showroom Manager: Yukiko Aoki)

2013.01.30|

SHOWROOM

CASAMANCE (Nagoya showroom)

AD CORE DEVISE SHOWROOM BLOG Vol.4 Each showroom exhibits and sells cushions from CASAMANCE, an editorial brand of interior fabrics and wallpaper that is garnering attention in the European interior scene. The vibrant colors and innovative combinations make them the perfect accent pieces for any interior. The cushions on display in the showrooms change with the seasons, which always gets me excited. Please come and see for yourself. We look forward to seeing you at our showrooms. (Showroom Manager: Odagiri Satoko)

2013.01.30|

DESIGN

It is used in many places.

AD CORE DEVISE DESIGN BLOG Vol.2 The other day, an acquaintance contacted me and asked if I'd like to accompany him to buy a watch. His target was Franck Muller, a Swiss brand founded by an independent watchmaker. In a watch industry crowded with brands with histories spanning over 100 years, this manufacturer has quickly risen to the top. While there are specialized shops, the local department store I visited had a separate display and sales area within the shop. The timepieces, displayed in glass cases on the wall, looked like a small art museum. The staff member, a very modern young man, offered me a chair in front of the glass case while explaining the product. This chair is an AD CORE product. I knew they were using it, but being involved in the furniture industry, it's moments like these that make me happy. He showed me a variety of wonderful watches and even gave me a catalog. (AD CORE DEVISE Planning and Development / Nobuaki Takeda)

2013.01.30|

DESIGN

The Story of Jean Valjean

AD CORE DEVISE DESIGN BLOG Vol.3 Occasionally, musical vocals come through the FM radio at my workplace. It was the soundtrack for the currently-showing film "Les Miserables." Since most channels play Western rock and pop music, it sounds fresh. When I was younger, I remember consuming the five-volume epic in no time. It's the first film adaptation in 14 years, so I went to see it at the theater. This film is a musical, and a notable feature is that the soundtrack features songs actually sung during the performance. In most cases, the vocals are recorded in a studio separately from the acting. Singing ability is required during the film, and sound effects and editing aren't often used. While this may be the case in stage musicals, it's unheard of in films. However, every actor delivered a powerful performance and delivered a wonderful performance. (Anne Hathaway's singing was particularly captivating.) While it felt a little lacking compared to the original novel, it's a nearly three-hour epic. I recommend giving it a watch. (AD CORE DEVISE Planning and Development / Nobuaki Takeda)