With a deep admiration for Italian car design, Ishimaru moved to Italy in 2011 while still a student at Kyushu University’s School of Design. He studied product design at the Politecnico di Milano through an exchange program, and after graduating from Kyushu University, he continued his studies at IED Torino in Italy. He began his career with an internship at FIAT.
Although his experience at a large, efficient design studio with segmented roles was remarkable, Ishimaru felt disconnected from the true essence of “making cars.” He was uncomfortable with design work that proceeded without substantial technical knowledge. Ishimaru sought real “design” based on a thorough understanding of a car’s functions and planning, rather than mere “styling.”
During this period of reflection, he discovered the Japanese EV startup GLM. In search of a unique experience rather than a typical car designer’s career, he joined GLM in Kyoto, which had an all-engineer team, in 2016. There, he worked on various projects, including small-volume EV sports cars, concept cars, and full-scale mass-production projects. In the span of two years, his engineering colleagues taught him what a car is truly about. Additionally, while servicing his beloved 1981 Nissan S130Z, which he acquired soon after returning to Japan, Ishimaru learned much about the pure charm, structure, and functions of cars.
The experience at GLM was precisely what he was looking for—a true “monozukuri” (manufacturing) experience, collaborating closely with engineers and other departments. Although the company was small compared to conventional OEMs, the experience allowed him to learn daily amidst a broad range of responsibilities. As the sole designer, he was responsible for executing a series of projects, from concept creation, interior and exterior sketches, 3D modeling, and interface design to press releases, with assistance from both internal and external sources. This experience gave him the confidence to run a car design studio on his own.
In 2018, he became independent and founded Fortmarei. Initially, friends commissioned graphic design projects. The small design company started in a room in an apartment. Two months after its establishment, Ishimaru received a call from Asahi Kasei requesting a concept car. Since then, the company has steadily grown as a design studio, building relationships of trust with clients and partner companies.
Despite obstacles and conflicts in design, Fortmarei continues to grow daily in the field of industrial design, blessed with good luck, friends, and supportive partner companies. Ishimaru always strives to design from the client’s perspective rather than the designer’s. He hopes that Fortmarei’s skills, ideas, and passion for design will help clients realize their dreams and goals.
