Living Together
A collection of thoughtful gestures
Interview with Amelia Valletta (A.V.), founder of The HAD Human Animal Design®, the consultancy studio behind the Itsumo pet Yunoki ware project.
What were the design choices and values that guided the development of this collection?
This collection stems from a design sensitivity aimed at creating a space that, being inhabited by both humans and animals — and therefore shared — takes into account the needs of both, creating a sense of continuity that leaves no aspect overlooked. The key word of this project is relationship, which unfolds through two essential dimensions: affiliation, meaning the sense of belonging to a family, and affection, understood as genuine interest and care. The objects in the Itsumo pet Yunoki ware are conceived to foster a way of living together based on these two principles — especially affiliation — while maintaining balance and respect between closeness and difference.
How can we honour our bond with animals without interpreting their needs solely through a human lens?
The collection is grounded in the idea of a deep relationship between people and animals. The intention is not to project human characteristics onto them, but rather to reinforce the emotional value that this relationship holds within the family context, while respecting their nature. The objects are designed to integrate discreetly into everyday life, consolidating that silent dialogue made of presence, care, and companionship. Care, in this sense, is not only about attending to their primary needs — feeding them, looking after their health, and so on — but also about choosing objects that allow us to express the affection we feel: a symbolic yet meaningful gesture within the relationship we share.
In a project centred on relationship and respect for the animal’s nature, how do porcelain and the decorations chosen by Fukasawa fit into the Itsumo pet Yunoki ware collection?
The porcelain used for the tableware meets criteria of functionality and daily care that also suit the pet bowls, conceived as an extension of the collection. It is a hygienic material, easy to clean, resistant to scratches and mould. Moreover, it helps maintain the temperature of the contents for longer and makes any residue or dirt easily visible, allowing for thorough cleaning. Porcelain also carries a symbolic continuity with the tradition of food: its use in these bowls reinforces the parallel between feeding oneself and feeding the other, in a relationship that acknowledges the animal as a true member of the family. It provides a domestic aesthetic consistent with the kitchen environment, while also placing the object within the emotional sphere. As for the colour, blue falls within the visual spectrum of dogs and cats, making it perceptible and engaging for them. The decoration, therefore, is not only visually pleasing to the human eye, but also becomes a point of encounter with the animal’s perceptive world. Finally, the continuity between the tableware designed by Fukasawa and its extension for animals reflects the human desire to surround oneself with beautiful objects — pieces that belong naturally to the domestic landscape. These are author-designed bowls that do not ask to be hidden, but rather welcomed into view.
What criteria guided the design of the bowls for dogs and those for cats?
The shape of the bowls results from a careful balance between functional needs and symbolic meaning. For dogs, Naoto Fukasawa started from an archetypal, immediately recognisable form, reinterpreting specific details to improve its effectiveness in daily use — such as the two openings at the base that allow the hands to slip in easily to lift the bowl without touching the inside. The truncated-cone base ensures excellent stability, essential for an animal that eats or drinks directly from the floor. The design favours generous thicknesses to provide solidity and resistance, while preventing the dog from moving the bowl around. The bowl is also produced in two sizes to accommodate portion volumes suited to different breeds and sizes. The design approach for the cat bowl was different. Here, Fukasawa opted for a shallower dish-like form, with a wide surface and low edges. The flat surface prevents the cat’s whiskers from touching concave sides, avoiding discomfort during mealtime. The diameter and dimensions have been carefully studied to contain an amount of food appropriate for the animal’s daily needs. The same reasoning guided the proportions of the water bowl.
The bowls are accompanied by a mat. What role does this accessory play in the daily life of our pets?
The mat primarily meets a functional need: made from easy-toclean, non-slip materials, it ensures the bowls stay stable, preventing accidental spills or sliding on the floor. At the same time, it carries a symbolic and ritual dimension — it marks the area dedicated to feeding, a personal space recognisable to the animal, helping to establish a reassuring daily routine. This ritual aspect is important for both dogs and cats, who benefit from well-defined and familiar spaces. The mat thus becomes much more than a simple support: it turns into an essential element for the animal’s well-being and everyday serenity.
