Yuko Suzuki

About Yuko Suzuki

Yuko Suzuki (mole^3) is a Japanese printmaker and visual artist whose work explores the intersection of traditional printmaking and digital media. She creates using open data, images, sound, generative art, and woodblock printing. Viewing coding as a form of printmaking, she considers on-screen outputs to be the digital equivalent of physical prints. Through this perspective, her practice expands the conventional understanding of printmaking. Her work has been exhibited in Japan and internationally, including at the NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC] in Tokyo and in collaboration with the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM].

Winner of 3 A' Design Awards.
Good in Generative Design.
Original Design.
Creative, Diligent and Innovative.

Interview with Yuko Suzuki

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?

I majored in oil painting and printmaking at university. After graduation, while continuing my printmaking practice, I worked at several design and video production companies. I had always wanted to be a printmaker, but as I started learning coding to support my printmaking, I gradually found myself creating video works with code.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

I currently work as a freelance visual artist under the name mole^3. My work includes video creation using coding, as well as printmaking and sculpture.

What is "design" for you?

Since I’m not a designer, it’s a bit difficult for me to answer this question. But to me, design feels like something that helps maintain order in the world.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

I'm not sure if it can be considered "design," but my favorite is shin-hanga. In Japan, after ukiyo-e, a new genre of woodblock prints called shin-hanga emerged — a movement that blended traditional techniques with modern sensibilities.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

My favorite technologies include coding, which I often use in generative art. I also enjoy working with physical materials like wood.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

When I design, I place importance on understanding the client’s needs and solving problems effectively.

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

I guess it would be whether it’s organized, in many different ways.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

I’m not sure how exactly it’s evolving, but if more designers learn how to code, it could make things a bit more interesting.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

The inspiration for my work comes from a sense of a sense of purpose that comes from within. I maintain my creativity through continuous learning.

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?

My design style is algorithmic and code-based, exploring the balance between chaos and order. I'm drawn to systems that generate beauty through unpredictability.

How do you work with companies?

I work as a freelance artist/designer and take on projects as they come.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

Once I’ve decided on a direction, I create a prototype. I make sure to share my work frequently throughout the process.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

One of the positives of being a designer is that, in a way, you get to create a new world. It’s a form of shaping reality through ideas and visuals. A downside, though, is that it’s easy to forget that many people in the world don’t really care about design—or even notice it. But maybe that’s the same in any field.

What was your most important job experience?

I’m not sure, but I’d say raising a child has been one of the most important experiences.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

The most fun part is when I’m thinking of different ideas. Not sure why, though.

Extended Interview with Yuko Suzuki

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

How did you become a designer?

After graduating from university, I wanted to start working right away, and at the time, the design industry seemed like the most accessible path for me.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

I never really intended to become a designer, and even now, I don’t consider myself one. I’ve just been taking on the work in front of me, always hoping to learn something new along the way.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

I create visuals based on algorithmic approaches and code-driven processes. This is the type of work I’d love to continue exploring and producing more of in the future.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

Hmm… maybe it’s whether they have a clear and consistent sense of aesthetics.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

Perhaps it’s something that doesn’t draw attention to itself — something that goes unnoticed by most people.

What is your day to day look like?

I would love to create work that reinterprets the systems and structures of the world, driven by my own curiosity.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

I believe success is somewhat random, and there is no secret formula for it.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

Design feels like something that helps maintain order in the world