ANF Work is a creative studio based in Paris, producing long-lasting projects from the legacy of Japanese folk craft. Rooted in fieldwork, the studio dives deep into archives, materials and processes, revealing their relevance in today’s design landscape.

This vision goes hand in hand with a more sustainable model: rather than favouring mass production, ANF partners directly with local Japanese makers and institutions to revitalise production areas, develop creative programmes, and build an ecosystem where artisans can make a better living from their work, where production is in tune with available resources, and where each project tells a far-reaching human story that goes beyond the simple aesthetic function.

Led by French-Japanese duo Timothée Kaplan and Ayumi Yoshida, the studio values the human relationships that emerge through collaboration – building lasting ties across Japan, Europe and beyond.

Product development
We reframe historical crafts into bespoke editions, grounding each collection in local knowledge and production areas. Every project starts from the material, whether urushi lacquer, washi paper, or porcelain, explored with respect to its origin and potential for contemporary design.

Residencies
We produce creative stays in Japanese production areas, where international creatives and local makers develop original work together – each project rippling back into the territory itself. Each residency is built around a dedicated, multicultural team and unfolds at the pace of the place.

Special projects
From culinary activations to curated events and installations during international art and design weeks, we design programmes that bring together Japanese makers and international designers, chefs, and creative directors in intimate, non-transactional settings.