5 Qs With… Joey Shimoda

Joey Shimoda, principal of Shimoda Design Group.

Shimoda Design Group principal Joey Shimoda tells us about carpets, collaboration, and having as much fun as possible. 

Interior Design: What do you expect to get out of NeoCon this year?

Joey Shimoda: Well, what I usually expect out of all the NeoCon is being able to reconnect with a lot of different people doing the best they can and making technology better. But I am interested in companies that are transforming the cubicle world into something else, which I’m not sure exactly what that something else is.

ID: How much – if any – business will you actually transact here?

JS: Not necessarily business, but it’s always great to meet the people that support all of our projects, so I guess in a way you do do business, but it might be in a very abstract way. For example, today I met with a couple glass people and MechoShade people and we were talking about a project we worked on together, even though they didn’t know that we’d worked on it together. That part is really great. It loops back around to people.

ID: Based on prior years, what are the must-see booths?

JS: Well, I always go to Steelcase because they are also clients of ours. And I really believe in the things that they’re doing. This year we’re working with Mohawk, and I’ve never worked with a carpet company before, so I’m trying to learn what that’s about. And typically I also go to see Vitra and Maharam.

ID: Is there anything you are especially looking forward to?

JS: I don’t think there’s anything in particular, other than being in a carpet showroom and talking about something that we helped them do, in terms of creating a design, or an attitude or design vibe. I’ve never done that before.

ID: Is it all work once you’re here, or do you get to do/see some things just for fun?

JS: I try to do very little work and have as much fun as possible! Haha. I’m going to say 80 percent fun and 20 percent work.