SYD (Shota Yamaguchi Designs) is a fine furniture studio that designs and creates furniture in Austin, TX. Process driven and rooted in traditional techniques, we aim to celebrate craftsmanship with modern sensibilities. Our goal is to create lasting pieces of furniture that is unique to the individual with a hint of playfulness.
Shota got hooked on furniture making at high school shop class. Right after high school, rather than pursue the traditional college path, he left to England to study at the prestigious David Savage School of Fine Furniture where many of the leading furniture makers in Europe learned their craft. There, he learned the fine details of furniture making and learned how to nurture an eye for design.
After the time at David Savage’s School, he moved to Austin, Texas where he gained further experience working for Mark Macek.
In 2013, Shota started SYD focusing on creating distinct pieces of furniture that is modern in aesthetic and crafted by hand, one piece at a time.
In 2016 he co-founded Toolmarks, a cooperative woodworking space in the heart of Austin.
Currently, he is a teacher at Austin School of Furniture and Design