Yoshi Akai (1970) obtained a BA in textile design and a MA in design from Tama Art University in Tokyo, and an MA in textile art from Southampton University, Winchester School of Art, UK. After his work as a designer in Japan he joined programs at Kungliga Konsthögskolan and Chalmers University in Sweden. He has had numerous exhibitions in Japan (Contemporary Fiber Art, Tama Art University Museum, Tokyo; Gallery SPACE21, Tokyo; Tokyo Design Centre), UK (The Winchester Gallery, Winchester), The Netherlands (Stichting B93, Enschede), Korea (BIEAF, Busan), and Sweden (GATE, Kista Science City, Kista; OSC09, Färgfabriken, Stockholm; FUTURE, IT-ceum / Swedish Computer Museum, Linköping). He produces original musical instruments with a unique input system, and does performances with his creative gadgets.