seike hisashi

Specialized in Interior Design.

seike hisashi

About seike hisashi

A Japanese interior designer based in Osaka who produces spatial design, furniture design, exterior design for restaurants, retail stores, offices, residences, exhibition halls, etc., as well as graphics and decorations related to those spaces. They are characterized by the use of materials that take advantage of the characteristics of the region, and many of the designs are simple and minimalistic, typical of Japan.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Interior Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Interior
Nttdata Xam Technologies Osaka Office Complex

Nttdata Xam Technologies Osaka Office Complex

Interior Design

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Interview with seike hisashi

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
At the age of ten, during a school lesson, I received praise from my teacher for designing a residential layout. On that occasion, I was introduced to a renowned architect who shared my surname. This was when I learned about the profession of spatial design. It was at that moment that I decided my future dream was to become a spatial designer.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I founded TDW*ROOT in 2001. Initially, I worked as part of a unit team with a senior colleague from my previous company. It was through an interior design project we encountered that I began working independently in 2006.
What is "design" for you?
For me, design is synonymous with the very essence of life itself.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I am thrilled whenever I encounter a genre with which I have had no prior involvement.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I am fond of the SUPERLEGGERA chair designed by Gio Ponti. The first time I saw it in person, I was struck by its beauty and felt a profound sense of awe and admiration.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
The first practical design I created was for an Italian restaurant.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I am fond of materials such as plaster and concrete, which can be transformed into various shapes and textures by human hands.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
It involves considering how the materials used can resonate with the space.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I am excited by the prospect of imagining something that has never existed before.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Simultaneously finding relief and envisioning everyone's reactions, I experience a sense of excitement and anticipation.
What makes a design successful?
It is the resonance between the creators and users of objects and experiences, encompassing both design and production aspects.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Believing in the power of design, I feel there is a responsibility to propose the force of design in an unequivocal direction.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I believe that design can further advance the resonance between virtual spaces like the metaverse and physical spaces.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
The designs of architects from the generation of Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara, such as Ando-san and Takehara-san, embody my ideals. I aspire to create spaces that prioritize simplicity and accentuate the qualities of materials.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
Having studied many buildings in Japan, I have been influenced by the simple yet distinct Japanese aesthetic in spaces.
How do you work with companies?
The thoughts of the clients who will utilize the completed space are crucial. I endeavor to encourage them to articulate their ideas to us in as much detail as possible.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
This also echoes a similar sentiment, as we seek to delve deeply into who will be utilizing the space, how they envision its use, why they chose our company, and other pertinent details. We use this information to flesh out the design accordingly.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
In my home, I have a table and bench that I designed myself, while in my office, there is a Charles & Ray Eames' La Chaise.
Can you describe a day in your life?
If I were to describe my life in a day, I would consider the current moment akin to a brief afternoon break before exerting further effort until dinner time.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
I believe it is important for young individuals to recognize the unique design opportunities available to them precisely because of their youth. I encourage them to fully embrace and enjoy the design process without overthinking, allowing themselves to engage with it wholeheartedly.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
One advantage of my profession is encountering many excellent designs. However, one disadvantage is that I often find myself consumed by thoughts of design, which can lead to days passing by unnoticed.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
I believe that "design resides in the details," and this philosophy guides my approach to design.
What skills are most important for a designer?
I consider the ability to joyfully pursue tasks that others may find tedious to be a valuable attribute.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
When facing design challenges, I often recall the works of architects from the generation of Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara for inspiration.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
For me, contemplating design is synonymous with living, so I navigate through it without any particular management.
What was your most important job experience?
As each experience is significant, it is challenging to choose just one.
Who are some of your clients?
The clients for the submissions I provided this time range from major Japanese corporations to individual chefs.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
It is a design job that involves constant discovery of new things. This is because there is joy in the realization of something previously unknown, even if it is just one thing.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
As a relatively unknown designer in Japan, I have been able to sustain my career over the long term. I would like to create opportunities for aspiring designers to understand that even someone like me can encounter fulfilling work.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
While I often serve as the starting point for ideas, there are many aspects that I cannot evaluate on my own. Therefore, I see myself as part of a team, collaborating with construction companies and craftsmen while seeking their input and advice.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Our works are utilized in various public spaces, and it is not conducive to fostering preconceptions about the image of these places based on design. Therefore, we are honestly unable to disclose them during the planning stages.
How can people contact you?
It is possible to make inquiries and contact us through our website.

Designer of the Day Interview with seike hisashi

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
For the first five years, I worked at IAO Takeda Architects Associates, a major architectural firm, where I was involved in the design process from start to finish. After that, I spent about a year and a half under the mentorship of architect Seiji Nii, learning the practices and etiquette of architecture.
How did you become a designer?
At the age of ten, during a school lesson, I received praise from my teacher for designing a residential layout. On that occasion, I was introduced to a renowned architect who shared my surname. This is when I learned about the profession of spatial design. It was at that moment that my future dream of becoming a spatial designer was born.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I firmly believe that "design resides in the details," and this principle guides my approach to design. While clients often have specific preferences regarding colors and shapes, which I certainly prioritize, I also believe that unifying the details enhances the quality of the space. Equally important is maintaining balance. I consider balance to be crucial in every aspect, including color, material, and dimensions.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
During the design process, I get excited when a satisfying inspiration strikes. Similarly, my enthusiasm rises when I experience results that surpass my initial expectations upon completion.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
During my student years, I spent about seven years learning basketball. Through this experience, I learned the importance of consistent practice and gaining experience, as well as the ability to joyfully pursue tasks that others might find tedious.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I do not have specific plans, but I constantly seek work that allows me to discover unknown and inaccessible worlds. My interest in virtual spaces like the metaverse is part of this pursuit.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
I want people to understand that there are designs that can only be achieved when you are young.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Just as the faces of a hundred people are all different, I believe that designed spaces should also vary according to their purpose and the people who use them. My ideal image of the best designer is someone who can create spaces using materials and methods of expression that suit their specific purpose.
What is your day to day look like?
In the morning, I look at the website of the store I designed, checking for updates and other information. Seeing how diligently the store is being managed encourages me.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I enjoy exploring unseen worlds, so I keep up with the latest information not only in architecture and interior design but also in virtual spaces.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
In the realm of spatial design, I believe a good project is one that can convince all stakeholders through materials, shapes, layout, and other aspects involved in satisfying the end users.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I imagine moments when I come up with ideas beyond expectations while balancing client requirements. It is at these times that the axis of design is established, enabling answers to all aspects of the project.
What is your biggest design work?
Restaurants offer a non-routine space distinct from home within daily life. At times, this space becomes the main stage for its users, influencing their lives. Designing spaces for "food," which is crucial to living, brings me happiness.
Who is your favourite designer?
I aim to achieve spaces that emphasize simplicity and highlight materials, inspired by the designs of architects like Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara from their generation.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I believe Japanese culture forms the foundation of my design philosophy.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I primarily work independently, but I frequently consult with my partner who is also in a similar field. Space design involves collaborating with various materials and craftsmen, so I consider it essential to find and coordinate with these teams.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I often feel firsthand that Japan's valuable materials and traditional techniques are becoming unsustainable due to a shortage of skilled labor. Recently, I have been thinking a lot about whether there is a way to establish a sustainable framework through design to address this issue.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
In Japan, there is no clear standard to measure the capabilities of designers, particularly in terms of their profession. Therefore, receiving awards like this serves as a confirmation that what I am doing is not wrong and also boosts my confidence. Additionally, encountering new works is also significant.

Extended Interview with seike hisashi

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I studied interior design at university. During that time, I saw many restaurants and bars designed by designers that were popular. Around the same time, there were many works by architects like Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara, and I visited various buildings.
How did you become a designer?
When I was 10 years old, I was praised by my teacher for designing a house layout during a school lesson. At that time, the teacher also told me about a famous architect who shared my surname. It was then that I became aware of the profession involving spatial design. From that moment on, my dream for the future became to be a spatial designer.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I naturally decided to pursue this path as if it were the obvious choice.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I design restaurants, bars, retail stores, and offices. I aspire to design hotels.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I believe it is important to travel to various places, see things, and meet different people.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I consider it crucial to deeply understand and express the background and purpose of the usage.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
I believe it's not just about surface appeal, but also about controlling the flow of air.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
I believe in utilizing the power of design for positive outcomes, thereby steering the world towards a better direction.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I would like to pursue a job where I can showcase the positive aspects of Japan in various countries.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I consider it important to learn about many things and experiences.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I have many inspirations, but architects from the generation of Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara are my idols.
What is your biggest design work?
I am fond of the SUPERLEGGERA chair designed by GIO PONTI. The first time I saw it in person, I was deeply moved and impressed by its beauty and impact.
Who is your favourite designer?
I consider all of them to be the best, so it's difficult to narrow it down to just one proposal.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
When I was young, I made it a point to visit various places, see things, and meet different people as much as possible.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
It's hard to imagine, but I think I was working independently on tasks that could be completed by myself.

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