yinjispace

DESIGNER
HOMEWORK
PHOTOGRAPHY
Priszcilla Varga
EDITOR
Bingyi
Collection

During the planning of YINJISPACE’s research journey to Denmark this January, HOMEWORK was one of our most intentionally chosen stops.Unlike our past study programs that centered on interiors, furniture, or art, Denmark’s design culture offered us a broader perspective: beyond its mature spatial and industrial systems, the country demonstrates remarkable strength in the field of visual communication.HOMEWORK stands out in this landscape—not just for its impressive client list including Armani, YSL, Prada, and Lancôme Paris, but because it embodies a refined and deeply conceptual approach to branding. Here, visuals are never just visuals, and design is never merely an end product—it is a mindset, a way of life.

HOMEWORK was founded twenty years ago by Jack Dahl Sakurai,it is an independent design studio specializing in visual communication.Located on a quiet street in central Copenhagen, HOMEWORK’s headquarters maintains a modest presence—yet its work speaks for itself with clarity and conviction.When we stepped into the studio this January, we were greeted by sketches, prototypes, and a layered world filled with warmth and precision. The space felt at once like a creative lab and a private collector’s home—furnished with objects, books, sculptures, and archives, each detail a reflection of the aesthetic sensibilities of founder Jack and his team.

During our visit, Jack and co-director Emma welcomed us with quiet generosity. The encounter was informal yet deeply thoughtful—full of open dialogue, shared philosophies, and a mutual curiosity that made the exchange truly memorable.

Jack shared with us the story behind the studio’s name—“HOMEWORK” stands for continuous learning and deliberate effort.“We’re always doing homework,” Jack said. “Always learning, always exploring the value behind every project and every client’s story.” The name reflects the studio’s core philosophy—whether in creation or collaboration, their process is one of ongoing refinement, like a lifelong assignment.

HOMEWORK’s practice spans brand identity, packaging design, product form, and spatial visual storytelling.What unites these disciplines is a guiding principle Jack refers to as “staging”. The focus isn’t on style for its own sake, but on excavating and re-presenting the brand’s core narrative.“We’re asking how a candle, a chair, or even a bottle of perfume can be elevated from the ordinary into something meaningful through design,” Jack said. “And the most important conversation with any client always starts with: Why? Why does this brand exist? Why are we designing this product?”

One of the studio’s proudest collaborations is with Danish fragrance brand Flora Danica Parfums.Inspired by an 18th-century botanical encyclopedia, HOMEWORK combined historical sensibility with contemporary execution to create a complete visual system—from brand identity to campaign film.Jack recalled: “When we were flipping through the original prints at the National Museum in Copenhagen, the pages were so fragile they nearly crumbled in our hands. That sense of heritage really stayed with me.”

Outside of commercial work, HOMEWORK is currently incubating a new project called “COME HOME.” Still in its exploratory phase, the project naturally extends Jack’s long-standing passion for collecting.“COME HOME isn’t a replica of HOMEWORK—it’s an extension,” Jack explained. “It will be a digital platform, and eventually a physical one too, where we can connect with artists, creators, and people who truly love beauty. Our goal is to build a healthy, circular ecosystem around that connection.”He showed us a hand-carved wooden bowl made from a single piece of timber—crafted by a German woodworking artist. It was one of the first pieces in the growing COME HOME collection.

What HOMEWORK advocates goes far beyond design—it is a worldview, a way of seeing.“Design shouldn’t just grab attention,” Jack said. “It should provoke thought. We want to place things in a better context—that’s a way of respecting both the work and the people engaging with it.”

At the end of our visit, each of us received a small parting gift from HOMEWORK: a vial of Flora Danica fragrance.In an era flooded with visual noise, what HOMEWORK offers feels rare—quiet, sincere, full of warmth, and always asking the right questions.It reminds us that meaningful design is not just something to be seen—it’s something to be felt, to be questioned, and to resonate with the beauty of thought and brand alike.

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