Interview with Kimiko Ida

I believe that, regardless of if you are aware of it or not, design has the power to enrich your life and daily activities. I am happy that my love of creating things can contribute to to that.

I chose to be a designer. I feel incredibly happy when I am able to participate in making things.

I work on product branding, concept proposals, and package design direction. I would like to work on designs that directly affect daily life or even work on designing lifestyles.

I am still far from being a “legend,” but I believe that by putting yourself in the shoes of users, you can more clearly see what must be done. And, you should look at a lot of nice things.

I believe that a great designer doesn’t shy away from various situations, doesn’t give up, and is able to enjoy their work.

I believe that a design that is appealing upon first sight is visually simple with great care paid to every detail.

I think that good design should be simultaneously surprising and pleasing, that it should become a part of your day-to-day life before you even realize it, and that its effect on your life should be positive. I think one benefit of investing in good design is that you are able to play a part in that process.

I would like to design something beyond the fields that I have already worked in and make something that users want to always keep on hand and interact with on a lifestyle level.

When considering the work that I have engaged in up until now, I would like to create something that communicates to those with visual impairments.

Things spotted during travel. Taking photos of appealing details. Using imagination.

Yusaku Kamekura, Shiro Kuramata, Fang Zhaoling

There are a lot, but I particularly like Yusaku Kamekura’s “Miss Blanche.” It’s outside of my area of expertise, but it is elegant, functional, and original.

The redesign of a chocolate with 90 years of history. Making new things is wonderful as well, but there is a particular honor in being a part of something with history.

Learn from everything. Listen until you hear the user’s voice.

A craftsman, an artist… another job where I could make things.

That there is a “user” at the end of it all. It should be something that that enriches the users life and heart.

The teammates who work on the projects with me. The creators around me. My teachers.

To be curious about everything.

Internal stakeholders. There are times when they are obstacles, and there are times when they give me the push I need.

In a form that reaches the user.

Exploring the concept of “gifts.” I would be happy if something I make connects people to other people.

Making people’s lives better.

That the things made by them are loved for a long time.

I believe that design can aid society by eliminating inconveniences and speaking to user’s hearts.

Currently on the lookout.

This project in particular exceeded our expectations and was greatly received by the customers. The customers took the packages and played with them, making illustrations, accessories, present boxes, etc. I was very glad to see the package being given another life.

A world where there are no borders between art and design. We would live very enriched lives.

I think that borders will be eliminated.

Depending on the project, it takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 1.5 years.

I start by imagining myself in the shoes of the user.

I aim to create designs that give users joy.

I think it’s a circle, but trends are born from good products.

To speed up the confirmation process in deciding the design image.

MAC, Windows, Illustrator, Photoshop, Paper, Pencil…

Communication. Creating a product with a “finished” look.

I would like them to ask themselves what they could bring to it.

While I am excited, I feel the presser to pull myself together and work harder.

I currently don’t do any work without a partner. Working with partners expands horizons and brings better results.

Those creators working around and above me.

“Ki ni Manabe” by Tsunekazu Nishioka, “ICON,” old art books, etc…

Working on designs as a team. Those around you will shape you as a designer.

Leonardo Da Vinci, Jakuchu Ito, Yusaku Kamkura

It feels really wonderful, but it wasn’t me alone who received the award. Everybody involved in the project was honored. Because we had good results this time, we must put even more effort into our next endeavor.

Pastels, being in nature, chocolate, clear things (stones, glass, etc.), and mina perhonen.

Experiencing a change in company strategy and goals through the power of good design.

Meeting nice people, seeing nice things, and eating nice foods. When I come up with a good idea.

When I was a child, I loved drawing pictures, and now I am still working towards becoming a better designer.

I’m hoping that borders of various natures are eliminated from the world.

I am just as much a fan of all the other creatives out there.

Meiji Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive manufacturer of food related products. We offer foods for all generations: from babies to the elderly. Within the company, I work on “Design Planning” from branding, concept proposals, to design and communication.

Design means that there is a “user” at the end of it all. It should be something that that enriches the user’s life and heart.

Things that move your heart. Things that can used without difficulty and nearly become a part of you.

There are a lot, but I particularly like Yusaku Kamekura’s “Miss Blanche.” It’s outside of my area of expertise, but I find it very appealing in it’s elegance, functionality, and originality.

An Almond Chocolate packaging design.

Paper. Things with different textures.

Usually it’s in the stages before the design is finalized. Also, when I have time to sit and imagine. I feel like that happens a lot in the morning.

To narrow down the required elements to convey the message. To keep things simple.

At first, I feel quite free, and then I become more structured and strict as the project progresses.

While I do feel a sense of accomplishment, there are definitely expectations and concerns about how the customers will receive the design.

To not forget to have an objective perspective.

I prioritize whether or not the original intended message is conveyed correctly.

From the viewpoint of my work, I think it’s important to attempt to reduce waste and create things that can be reused.

I think borders are disappearing, and it will be interesting to work in design as categories disappear and things can be created more freely.

Last year, when I received an award at an exhibition in Japan.

Things spotted during travel. Photos I’ve taken. Looking at nice things and going on trips. Shapes within nature.

I like simple design, but my style changes according to the product. I prioritized a style that will convey the correct image.

Tokyo, Japan. I take a lot of inspiration from Japanese culture. Japan is very strict about product quality, so that has a big impact on designing things here.

I am employed as a design director.

I work more on the enterprising side of things, but I do a lot of research before approaching a designer. We also do a lot of team projects, so I also look for people with good social skills.

I start by looking at the product and how the customer would ideally receive it before coming up with a concept. At that time, we begin product planning, choosing team members, and moving forward on the design. (In some cases, we do user testing during this process.) After the design is finalized, we move onto printing and finishing work.

Bowls. Bluetooth audio, my living room table, my KLIPPAN blanket, and my mina perhonen clothing.

After getting to the office, I have coffee, yogurt, and a banana, and spend some time quietly arranging my thoughts before the work day begins. I will have a good meal with colleagues at lunch, but aside from that, I spend the day in meetings and working on projects. I will go out to dinner with friends, have a low-key dinner with family, or spend some time on hobbies, and reset myself with a bath.

Stay positive and be curious. Don’t be afraid to speak your thoughts. Meet people. I also recommend traveling.

Producing something from 0 to 1. Sharing your ideas with users. A negative would be the constant difficultly of trying to keep up with the time schedule.

That it be original. That it doesn’t use or need too much explanation. That it be simple and appealing.

Understanding the subtleties of the human heart. I think it’s important to be sensitive to the user’s desires.

MAC, Windows, Illustrator, Photoshop, paper, pencil, etc.Books I studied from in the past, magazines, old art book etc.Things I see on trips. Photos I’ve taken of details that appeal to me. Imagination.

By making calculations. I try to make an effort to give myself enough time to look at my work as objectively as possible.

Depending on the project, it takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 1.5 years.

I am often asked about where I get my inspiration from. I am also often asked about how to convince the company to produce a design.

Projects which forced me to look into the roots of long-selling products. I learned the importance of universal design as well as creating new proposals.

The end user. The customer.

Arts and crafts. Individual countries’ techniques and culture are reflected through these.

In the near future, I want to explore the concept of “gifts.” I want to try connecting people to people. If I am able to enrich the lives of people in the future, I will be very happy.

We work in teams. These teams include excellent designers from outside the company as well.

Not at the moment.

Please get in touch through our company’s contact form.

Not in particular.