“Miyu Nakashima Design” is an abstract reflection of the artist’s architectural background. 

Tokyo-born and raised Japanese artist Miyu Nakashima has Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture and Design in 2010. Her design methodology/vision is based on her work experience in Tokyo and Istanbul.

Designer’s Story

From my university years, I researched the relationship between patterns and structures in Architecture and experienced the charm and wide possibilities of geometric patterns alongside Japanese parametric pattern artist Tokolo Asao. As I firmly believe that getting to know Islamic Architecture which combines basic shapes and lines to achieve geometric patterns is, in fact, going back to the design basics where a designer can build a strong foundation, in 2012, I had moved to Istanbul from Tokyo where I had already got vast experience in modern architecture. After studying the Organic pattern design of tile art which is indispensable for traditional Islamic architecture under the famous Ceramic tile artist Fatma San, I worked as a modern Islamic designer at Hassa Architecture that builds mosques and cultural centers around the world.

After working as a space-dependent Architectural designer for a long time, I wanted to be a location-independent artist and create a work of art that I could touch, experience, and share with the whole world easily. In this process, I decided to make parametric jewelry designs in which I could best use my architectural pattern design experience that I have been working on and developing for years. Instead of traditional methods, I prefer 3D printing because then I can direct all my energy solely to design innovation.

The asymmetry and margins are the essential beauty of Japan, the geometric patterns that fill the margins and space that are the beauty of Islamic architecture. Experiencing such conflicting values of “beauty, architecture, and design” are the sources and foundations of my design.