Nao Tamura was born in 1976 in Japan and grew up in Tokyo before moving to New York to study at the Parsons School of Design, where she graduated in communication design. Early in her career she worked at the New York design consultancy Smart Design, gaining experience in human-centered product development before founding her own studio, Nao Tamura Design. Her multicultural background and experience in both Japan and the United States strongly influence her work, which often bridges Eastern and Western sensibilities.
Tamura’s design philosophy focuses on balance and emotional connection, exploring relationships between nature and technology, delicacy and strength, and tradition and innovation. Her multidisciplinary practice spans furniture, lighting, homeware, and product design, and she has collaborated with international brands such as Established & Sons, WonderGlass, Ambientec, and Porro. Today she works from New York while continuing to develop projects that combine thoughtful simplicity with a deep sensitivity to materials and human experience.
