Usugami joined Seiko in 2016 and has been engaged in the development of watches for licensed brands. Additionally, he contributes to advanced design* projects, such as the Forest of Mechanisms initiative.
* Advanced design refers to pre-production design, the development of a design before creating the final design for production.

A crucial aspect of the creative process is heightening one's emotions. Creative people often wear their favorite clothes, acquire tools akin to those used by admired professionals, decorate their tools, and invest extra effort in seemingly trivial details that don't directly impact the creative process.
Tools, beyond their functional role, possess the unique ability to inspire the desire to create. Similarly, a watch, while primarily serving the function of timekeeping, is a familiar accessory that significantly influences our emotions when worn. I pondered whether we could create new value by connecting this characteristic of the watch to the act of creation. Our exploration led us to the realm of clothing production. The plump appearance of the pincushion on the wrist and the action of inserting and removing pins served as cues, inspiring my enthusiasm and deepening my engagement in the creative process.

Professors: It's adorable, and the color variation adds a nice touch. Surprisingly, it's not too bulky. The pincushions I typically use are voluminous and often fill up my needles, but this one appears thin and easy to handle. I appreciate the petal-like segments; they add a unique touch. It not only reflects the user's personality but also serves as a practical tool for organizing and inserting needles. It seems like a design perfect for everyday use.
Student: So cute! I'd love to wear it! It has a feel-good vibe. I'm not usually a watch person, but I could see myself using it as an accessory. People would be curious about it. Unlike regular pincushions, I think this watch makes me feel special. I'd love to create hearts and circles by inserting needles; arranging them would be so much fun. With various types of heads for the marking pins, it would be adorable to mix and match. If this is available for purchase, count me in!

By combining a pincushion with a watch, we've integrated a subtle functionality that aids in the creative process.