A couple of weeks ago we checked out the rooms No.17 fair, just opposite of our office in Yoyogi Stadium, and were happy to discover tons of great fashion items. Have a look at the plastic gem we found! Plaring by the Clunky Design quartet from Shibuya, is a do-it-yourself plastic ring kit. It’s playful, much like futuristic anime accessories and, above all, is so Japanese! (And you can get a kit from us here!) Today, PingMag pieced one together with Plaring’s director Kenta Ochiai and creative director Hironori Sato.
Written by Chiemi
Translated by Natsumi Yamane
Looks like a science lab! The Clunky Design’s booth at “rooms No.17.”
Originally, Clunky Design focused on costume production, but how did you come to make these so called, Plarings?
Hironori: One day, I came across a plastic ring at a toy shop. It was a kind of luxury-looking women’s ring and I wondered if it might be possible to make one like a plastic model.
‘Like a plastic model…?’
Kenta: We love plastic models so we’ve always been kicking around on plastic model products. We thought it would be great if we could put our work and hobbies together to combine our designs with our precious plastic models.
And you started designing these right away?
Hironori: Our designer Yujiro Shihara suggested ideas, I joined in to make adjustments to its form and brought them into shape.
We can imagine how you all got excited about it! But since you come from a totally different field of design, that must have been pretty challenging…
Kenta: We bumped into the problem of how to combine a robotic element and a fashion element. But once we got over that, one of the greatest challenges was how to divide the parts of the finished ring.
Hironori:For example, we get a visible line even if we put together two parts with the same colour. That disrupts the appearance, so we went to consult with a plastic model factory.
And where is that factory?
Kenta: It’s in Mibu in Tochigi. Before, there used to be a branch of Bandai in Mibu so there are still many related factories in the area and it’s often known as the Town of Toys. Nowadays, toy making business is in a decline (due to the dwindling number of Japanese kids) and we happened to visit just as they were thinking of joining hands with different industries.
We bet the factory people got excited too. What did they think of your idea?
A sample of the finished hand-carved plaster.
Hironori: They told us that the division we were thinking of would be difficult and gave us all sorts of suggestions.
Kenta: The guys at the factory are all toy making professionals, so they kindly gave it serious consideration on how to make an interesting plastic model using only a few parts. After that, we digitally simulated the theoretical figures of forces acting on the parts and researched about the best way to divide the parts.
Thanks to this, the finished ring can be disassembled so easily! Yet the same cannot be said for its assembly. Why not?
Hironori: We tried to keep the number of parts down because too many parts would make it confusing. But it wouldn’t be fun if it’s too easy so, in a way, the instruction is like a puzzle. It might be a bit tricky at first, making it a great way for girls to ask for help from guys. (Laughs)
It’s amazing how smooth they look when you put the parts together!
Kenta: I think this delicate technique is the unique thing about Japan. We use metal moulds to manufacture the parts and it requires exceptional skills to make those moulds. As you can see, these rings have many curved lines. So to make the colours stand out, we had to give the mould’s surface an extremely fine texture. For that we used a hairbreadth needle and kept the machine running for four days, up to a week, and applied a weak electric current to efface the gap.
Quite a delicate process… What else is particular?
Kenta: Normally, you need a pair of scissors to detach plastic model parts from the frames. However, we made sure you can detach them easily just with your hands. You can get the remaining end bits off by simply scratching them off with your fingernail.
What about the packaging?
Kenta: Usually, plastic models come in simple boxes made from thin paper that get thrown away in no time. But from the designer’s point of view, it’s useless to see your design turn into rubbish. So, we gave it more volume by using cardboard and made the box square instead of the usual rectangular shape.
As a designer, what is your message about Plaring?
Kenta: We just want people to enjoy making and wearing the rings. It all started from the hope to transform our hobby into our job. Plaring is all about having fun, and not only for the creators.
Hironori: I think if people use it as a tool for communication, that just about conveys what we initially wanted to do. What we made is a leading track for that and we’ll leave the final shape of Plaring to everyone.
Kenta Ochiai and Hironori Sato of Clunky Design, thank you very much!
Wait a moment! The lovely Plaring plastic model kits are available in our beloved shopPingMag. Grab one quick!
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Wow, they look delicious sort of an eye-candy really. Well done guys, like the first Plaring design.
Posted by: heyhey on October 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
[...] 想了解Clunky Design更详细的信息可以去看PingMag对他们的访谈，还可以在Pingmag的网上商店买到Plaring [...]
Posted by: daidesign设计资讯与灵感来源 on October 23rd, 2008 at 3:50 am
[...] Plaring: Ready-To-Assemble Plastic Model Ring: “ [...]
Posted by: Plaring: Ready-To-Assemble Plastic Model Ring | vizualz on October 23rd, 2008 at 3:54 am
look so much fun to wear!
Posted by: noinudee on October 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 am
I want it!!!!
Posted by: Beatrice on October 23rd, 2008 at 6:57 am
reminds me of transformers..:D
Posted by: Tisu Girl on October 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
amazing…
Posted by: fausto on October 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
look sweet!!
Posted by: Flavio on October 24th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I like when she says it’s a good way for girls to ask guys for help haha
Posted by: njlsmelle on October 27th, 2008 at 4:41 am
It’s a good idea creative-wise, but the rings are…ugly honestly. I’m sorry to say
Posted by: ray on October 28th, 2008 at 11:57 am
[...] Japan-based design team by the name of Clunky Design created these ready-to-assemble plastic rings. Fun! The masterminds behind Plarings (sounds like engrish, but is actually a very smart name…am I right?) are Kenta Ochiai and Hironori Sato, who wanted people to enjoy making and wearing the rings. And with their geometric, transformer style meets fashion, they are wearable for men and women. Check out their design process here. [...]
Posted by: Apples and owls graphic design blog | Apples and Owls on October 31st, 2008 at 2:48 am
[...] an interview with folks behind these clever plastic model ring kits from Japan! A couple of weeks ago we [...]
Posted by: Ready-to-assemble plastic model rings| DIY Blog | Complete source of DIY Information, Tutorials, Guides, Reviews| DiyUs.com on November 4th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
[...] quickie: go to PingMag and read about these “Plarings” from Japan’s Clunky [...]
Posted by: PeerLessJewelry » Blog Archive » Clunky Design on November 4th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
[...] has an interview with folks behind these clever plastic model ring kits from Japan! A couple of weeks ago we checked out the rooms No.17 fair, just opposite of our office in Yoyogi [...]
Posted by: Ready-to-assemble plastic model rings | eins78 on November 5th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Do you know my DIY kit too? the same philosophy, the same concept…
roberta
Posted by: Baby shoes DIY Kit on November 8th, 2008 at 6:32 am
These plastic model rings are sure to be a success in Japan. Very sleek and professionally crafted. And this encompasses both conformity and individuallity, with all people starting with the same set of ring pieces yet creating their favorite, but not unique, design. A way to make a statement but still be in the group.
Posted by: Revell Model Kit on December 29th, 2008 at 7:05 am
These look like something I used to play with when I was a child.
Posted by: Pink Soccer Cleats on January 22nd, 2009 at 4:51 am
Very sleek design and bold colors. I like these rings very much. Which age group in Japan likes them best?
Posted by: Read Across America Day Supplies on March 18th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Good job! Nice..
Posted by: hairstyles on October 11th, 2009 at 7:33 am
hgj
Posted by: Mindy on November 21st, 2009 at 3:42 pm