“I don’t think anyone in the world would be in trouble if we, motorcycle CMF designers, didn’t exist. But as I continue to work, I’ve come to realize that our profession can make someone’s life a little more fun and fulfilling, turn their ordinary day into an exciting adventure, or fill their heart with a sense of richness and joy. I do believe we contribute to creating lifestyles and cityscapes for those people.”

A few years ago, I was invited to a joint design seminar for university students called the Motorcycle Design Open Lecture, and I participated as one of the instructors. The passage above is what I wrote for the seminar as a “Message to Students” printed in my instructor profile sheet. As I reconsidered the meaning of my work as a motorcycle CMF (Color, Material, Finish) designer, I found the idea that “it’s not necessarily needed” most interesting.

Some professions such as doctors and farmers are absolutely indispensable. Without them, it’s impossible for us to live a life as we do now. By contrast, the color and pattern of a product do not cause any major inconvenience. Whether it’s red, blue, or black, its performance remains the same.

And yet, our profession continues to exist. As a designer, we rack our brains every day about what color should be applied and what kind of graphics should be developed. We devote ourselves wholeheartedly to thinking about things that, strictly speaking, aren’t essential for human survival because we believe in their value.

The way of thinking like this may sound absurd, but I love to engage in this profession since it is ridiculously human.

CMFG Design Dept.
Design Director
Satoru Nagai