Jigen Project

Since launching in 2007 in Japan, Simplism has offered many of
Apple's iPod, iPhone and iPad accessories including protective films,
cases, and battery chargers. In addition to the existing line-up,
Simplism has always been eager to develop products with a strong
and unique identity that cannot be found in the current market.

Since launching in 2007 in Japan, Simplism has offered many of Apple's iPod, iPhone and iPad accessories including protective films, cases, and battery chargers. In addition to the existing line-up, Simplism has always been eager to develop products with a strong and unique identity that cannot be found in the current market.

Thanks to Japanese freelance IT journalist Nobuyuki Hayashi, Simplism's president Tetsushi Hoshikawa was introduced to K's Design Lab Inc.'s CEO Yuji Hara. Hoshikawa was impressed by K's Design Lab's cutting edge three-dimensional digital data-creating system that is called D3 TEXTURE. The technology reproduces the natural texture precisely onto a plastic surface in a look and touch that appears random with depth, simulating the real thing.
Mr. Hayashi foresaw the great potential in D3 TEXTURE and believed that introducing this team would create a wonderful synergy. Mr. Hara was seeking an opportunity to showcase the system as a main characteristic of the product, rather than small component of a product like a laptop exterior or a remote control housing or car interior dashboard. This meeting gave birth to the Jigen project (meaning "dimension" in Japanese) soon after.

What distinguishes the Jigen series from other products is that they are entirely made in Japan. It's a collection of Japan's best cutting-edge technology, advanced molding skills and the pursuit of perfection. From the product and package design to manufacturing and packaging, every step occurs in Japan.

Following the release of cases for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5/5s, this third series is designed especially for the iPhone 6.
株式会社ケイズデザインラボ 代表取締役 原 雄司氏 株式会社ケイズデザインラボ 代表取締役 原 雄司氏 Yuji Hara
K's Design Lab Inc.'s CEO
フリーITジャーナリスト/コンサルタント 林 信行氏 フリーITジャーナリスト/コンサルタント 林 信行氏 Nobuyuki Hayashi
Freelance IT Journalist / Consultant

Genuine Products Made in Japan

What distinguishes the Jigen series from other products is that they are entirely made in Japan. It's a collection of Japan's best cutting-edge technology, advanced moulding skills and dedication to perfection. From the product and package design to manufacturing and packaging, all steps occur in Japan.

One remarkable feature is the case’s D3 texture. The processes for tactile designs and the D3 textures, designed by K's Design Lab, are based on 3D scans of photos and natural materials such as cloth and leather. The textures are created using the base designs which are then repeated in a pattern and affixed onto the product base. The creation of such natural, realistic textures, as well as the production of complex cuts and shapes based on overlapping undulations a relatively difficult task using existing techniques has now been made possible using this new technology. This revolution has made it possible to create new and highly-original three-dimensional textures.

The materials created with D3 textures are actually made of plastic resin. However, their special shapes and random patterns resembling those found in natural materials look so realistic that by touching them, your fingers will believe that they are the real thing.

Emi Yajima 3D Digital Sculptor
K’s design Lab. Inc.

3D Digital Sculpting

The biggest challenge when designing this collaboration product was conforming to the curvature of the iPhone 6. Modeling the rounded curves of the iPhone 6 ended with test results showing a higher load placed on the sides of the case during removal, making it harder to detach compared to the iPhone 5/5s. Multiple modifications were made to this design data until the best results were obtained that balanced an easy to use functional product with stellar design aesthetics.

In addition, the new IC card pocket has cut the thickness of the case to 1/2 that of existing products. Although a greater thickness makes it easier to provide texture with undulating highs and lows, we’ve worked very hard to provide interesting texture while keeping the profile of the case as slim as possible. This has been achieved by a manual process of adding in scanned data of real wrinkles, and sometimes even drawing some additional wrinkles by hand, thus producing a realistic texture.

In order to take leading edge data designed with a D3 texture and convert it into a finished product, it was necessary to find a molding factory that could provide the same level of delicate and refined Japanese techniques. The manufacturer of the Jigen Series, Kashiyama-Kanagata Industry Corporation, specializes in highly-detailed machining processes. The company has used the latest equipment and their exceptional craftsmanship to successfully create deep three-dimensional textures that would not have been possible before on slim cases.

Hironori Yamaura Technical Department
Kashiyama-Kanagata Industry Co., Ltd.

Making the Metal Mold

"I paid most attention adjusting the molding to show uneven surface effectively. In normal plastic surface production, there is not much unevenness, however, all the patterns for the Jigen series have a great elevation. During the machining elevated surface can stop its move and the data needs a micrometer adjustment to make sure machining can run smoothly all the way."

Tetsushi Hoshikawa President
Trinity, Inc.

Making the Metal Mold

Japan was previously regarded as the world’s premier country for manufacturing fine and advanced technology. Over the years, other countries such as China gained market share by offering lower costs, but not maintaining the level of quality. Though the volume of output from Japanese factories is not as great, the excellent skills and technology still can not be matched anywhere else in the world.

The Jigen series is a perfect example. With original molding data and machining technology, the products are difficult to copy, especially with the same fine detail and condition. The look, feel and quality of D3 TEXTURE and the advanced molding technology in the Jigen series is only available in Japan.