In this way, 5D bases all of its designs on an idea, sprung from inspiration, that gives the design context. For 5D Studio, no design exists in and of itself. Everything these designers do is connected to a source of wonder, a source of inspiration. 5 D Studio was established in 1990. Kobayashi was the first of the three partners to devote herself fully to the work of the studio, when a decent amount of freelance work and a baby on the way made the timing right.
Kobayashi art directs all graphic communications projects for the studio.
She is a graduate of both the University of California, Los Angeles and the Art Center College of Design. Prior to founding 5D, Kobayashi worked for Design West and Morava and Oliver Design Office. Ritch, who is Kobayashi's husband, is the industrial designer in the studio. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1985, and worked in a variety of design environments including Henry Dreyfuss and Associates, Rubbermaid and Donald Chadwick and Associates, in Santa Monica. At Chadwick's studio, Ritch had the good fortune to meet and pair up with Saffell.