Simplexity – Ora Ito
Ora Ito is currently known as the world’s hottest product designer. He was born in 1977.
Although it is not connected to the web, I shall post here some facts from his story because I find it to be instructively. It tells about attitude, about power and motivation. Although he was the son of one well-known French fashion designer (Pascal Morabito), Junior has not been supported by his daddy, even more he changed his name from Ito Morabido into Ora Ito (I know it sounds Japanese but I can tell you that it is 100 % French).
His way to glory is a very good illustration of the well-known « Stay hungry, stay foolish ». He realized that he had no relish to be on the other’s tracks: fine arts studies – coffee maker in an agency – junior designer – designer and so on.
Instead, he tucked up and started doing something he was great at: design.
And not just for anyone … but only for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Swach, Apple or Levi’s.
It didn’t matter that nobody has asked him for it and that he didn’t really work for these brands.
What was really of great importance was the fact that his web posted designs filled up the shops with desperate people wanting to buy those inexistent products (Extraordinary fact was that one factory in China actually started producing Ito’s design for a an Louis Vuitton backpack :-D)
What was the brand’s reaction to Ito’s abuse? They liked him.
As a result, nowadays he really works for many well-known brands, and his creations increase sales and consolidate brands.
The main conclusion of this story is that if you really have something valuable to say you shouldn’t wait for the silent moment and expect everyone to sit down prick-eared. Because it is possible that moment never come. It is enough to say it directly, without mincing matters, fearless. And you’ll be heard.