Charles Tsunashima | 綱島 シャルル

CHARLES TSUNASHIMA
Charles Tsunashima is a multicultural, crossdisciplinary designer based in Tokyo, Japan, delivering products to a global clientele with a conceptualization to fabrication, hands-on craft approach to design.
Born in Osaka, Japan in 1974 to a French mother and a Japanese father, Charles was raised immersed in an international environment from a young age. Charles has lived and worked in 5 countries spanning 4 continents and juggles English, Japanese, French, Italian and Chinese seamlessly.
Inspired by the refinement of his mother's handmade paramedical insole occupation, Charles developed a lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship and sensitivity to materials. This interest lead him to his formative years at Rhode Island School of Design where he developed a dedication for perfection, refinement and detail. It is at this time that the philosophy and objectives of Genereight were first conceived.
Charles has since worked for establishements such as Issey Miyake and Knoll, aquiring global design standards in quality, professionalism and uniqueness, leading to his current position as head of his own design operation - Genereight. He pursues innovative, environmentally conscious, timeless designs bridging generations while addressing the influence of furniture on people’s intimate environment, bringing them comfort, definition and happiness.

Education:
2000: Rhode Island School of Design -Masters of Fine Arts (Textiles)
1997: Rhode Island School of Design -Bachelor of Fine Arts (Industrial Design)
1993: St. Mary’s International School - International Baccalaureate (IB)

Linguistic proficiency:
English, Japanese, French, Italian, Chinese (Mandarin)

Professional history:
2006-Present: Genereight Inc., Tokyo, Japan
Founder / Principal
2019: China Academy of Art, Zhuantang, China
Guest Lecturer - "onDesign: the barrier-free mind & the seeing hand"
2014-2016: New Generation Kids - Director / Instructor
2012, 2014, 2016: Tama Art University Instructor - Future Craft, Light & Shadow - Future Craft II
2006-2007: Knoll Inc.
Marketing Director - Japan
2004-2006: Freelance design
architectural designer , Tokyo, Japan.
graphic/web designer, Milano, Italy.
2001-2004: Issey Miyake Inc., Tokyo, Japan
2002-2004 HaaTH Design department - Design and design management
2001-2002 A-POC -Public Relations and project coordinator
2003: Kishibe Ballet Studio / Unit “Kimiho”, Tokyo Japan
Vision of Energy costume design
2001: Kishibe Ballet Studio / Unit "Kimiho", Tokyo, Japan
TCBY-Costume design
2000: Dakota Jackson Inc., New York, USA
Furniture prototypes- Design and fabrication

Exhibition:
2015 March: Joint exhibit @Shun Art Gallery (M50 Art Complex, Shanghai, China)
2015 March: Joint exhibit @Design Shanghai (Shanghai, China)
2013 September: Co-exhibit @Midori so with Ray Horacek (Tokyo, Japan)
2013 December: Solo exhibit @Playroom (Tokyo, Japan)