Interview with Kiyoka Yamazuki

I really liked drawing since I was little. She was the kind of girl who drew pictures on the ground even when she was playing outside.
Also, I was a very passive child.
I graduated from a junior college design course for two years, but I couldn't get a design job right away. I wanted to draw more, so I was thinking about transferring to an art university in my fourth year. At that time, her older sister was a graphic designer in Osaka. The reason I became an illustrator was when she showed my illustration to her acquaintance, an illustrator (Shiro Nishiguchi). After that, she began to receive instruction in illustration. At that time, I was working as an employee at a calligraphy brush shop, but after work I was working hard on my illustrations. For about two years, I continued to draw illustrations whenever I found time.
When I saw the illustration by the illustrator (Shiro Nishiguchi) who taught me, I was surprised and moved. That excitement still drives me. It also taught me to never give up.

In the case of design, the first priority is to listen to what the client is looking for and what they are having trouble with, then come up with ideas, make proposals, and have discussions. Then go to design.
The illustrations used in the design also listen to the theme, come up with ideas, and if it is OK, I will produce it. There is a central theme, keystone, or specific aspect of design that integrates into every project. However, for art works, I find a theme in myself on a daily basis and create what I want to create and express. So it's a little different.
I'm an old-fashioned type of person, so I prefer manual work if possible, but I can't do that these days. We are reluctantly moving to digital. I use digital to digitize illustrations.

I feel the joy of design when people come up with ideas, inspire each other, generate ideas, and give form to products. And I'm really happy when it turns out to be a great product for clients, designers (me) and users.

I've been drawing since I was little, but I also did calligraphy. In fact, calligraphy is qualified as an instructor.
When I was worried about my own path, my calligraphy teacher told me that "There is nothing to waste in life" and "It's okay to go straight on your own path, but it's also good to take a detour."
After that, I worked at a calligraphy shop for about 5 years and experienced face-to-face sales with customers. After that, she worked at a design office for about two years and now works as a freelance illustrator.
I think that communication with the client was also cultivated at that time.
It means "nothing is wasted in life".

For me, my dreams for the future are still on the way. Rather than becoming an illustrator, my dream is to have many people know and see my paintings. (Not enough yet.)
In order to talk about dreams at this age (I don't have time), I have no choice but to act so that dreams don't end as dreams. But is the language barrier the biggest problem?
I want to design my own life.

Don't be afraid to fail and ask questions if you don't understand something.
Listen carefully to what people are saying and start with greetings. Greetings are basic. Stay in touch and learn more.
However, it also requires the judgment of wrong knowledge.

I'm still imperfect (as an illustrator).
But I can say that when I look at successful illustrators,
First of all, I will continue to draw illustrations. (Continuity is power, isn't it?) Please stay healthy again. (Keep your mind and body healthy) There are no shortcuts. Occasionally, road grass is also good. There may be new discoveries there.

My life is different than it was 10 years ago.
When I moved from the city to the countryside where my parents lived, my life changed, for better or worse.
A little far from business.
As a teacher, I attend a two-and-a-half-hour class (design school) once a week.
I have a chronic illness, so I try to go for a walk in the morning to keep my life as regular as possible. Because it is a land rich in nature, it can be difficult. (Heavy snow, village work, managing your own land, etc.)
It's the most fun to find the moment when the seasons change and the flowers bloom.

I never follow design trends.
We have a broad and shallow understanding of current trends. (It's shallow knowledge.) I think it's important to know trends. That's why I don't follow trends unless my clients ask me to. (often with bad results)
But that doesn't mean I'm obsessed with my designs.
Rather, I am inspired by things that have not changed since ancient times (Buddha statues, buildings, designs), fictional things, and more recently, shapes and structures that exist in nature.

I believe that the definition of good design should be good not only for those who design it, but also for those who seek it, users and clients.
However, I think that the design (product or project) should not destroy nature in the long term, and should not have a negative impact on the global environment.
Whether the product or project is well designed
Before you design, you need to have the courage to stop if it's inappropriate.

I am an illustrator.
I'm not a designer, so this may not be the correct answer.
Even if you can only design, it will not be completed.
Shouldn't we go back to the first meeting, think about what the client wants, discuss it, and make improvements?
Let's listen. Now let's complete another design. A project is a success if it's good for the people who use the product, the people who commission it, and others.

There are two illustration jobs that turned out to be a big turning point for me.
One was the first job I received from JR (a tourism campaign for Tottori and Shimane).
The other is a poster for the Nagoya Festival that I made from among many designs. Rather than a festival scenery, this illustration expresses a fun "festival sound".
The results were well received. It became a poster for the Nagoya Festival.
For this project, I am planning to hold a group exhibition here (in my gallery) for the first time with two illustrators who have been indebted to me for many years. I am really looking forward to it. make it a success.

I haven't met many designers, so I don't know.
As for clothes, I liked designer Issey Miyake's clothes. To a lesser extent, I also bought some clothes.
I also found the design concept interesting. There are so many wonderful people in the world that I just don't know. Maybe I've already met a lot of people without even realizing it. I would like to ask famous designers for their "secrets of success". It's a pity that I can't speak to him.
However, I think that I was most influenced by the illustrators who were close to me and kindly taught me.
If I had to name them here, they would be illustrators Shiro Nishiguchi and Kunio Sato.

About 10 years ago, I moved to the countryside to care for my parents.
When I was little, I was a child who never played outside. Now I do farm work, mow grass, and participate in village work.
And I feel like I'm getting away from "culture" except for going to design school once a week to teach design.
However, recently I have become accustomed to such a life, and I am interested in how efficiently I can get used to living in the countryside, secure my own time, and lead a more creative life (life plan).
However, my favorite city is New York. He has visited New York three times so far. There are many galleries such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MOMA.
Just hearing New York excites me.
In addition, I would like to go out if there is an opportunity.

Active as a freelance illustrator since 1997.
I work alone, so I'm not good at cooperating with others (because I'm selfish). I've tried several times to find a good manager (business partner), but I can't seem to find one.
I would like to leave various miscellaneous tasks to a good manager and only do production, but it seems impossible due to my personality.
I would like a good business partner to be someone who understands me well and can think of 10 things for one thing.
I want to reduce my daily household chores a little more, lead a comfortable life, and regain my creative life as soon as possible.

As a designer, artist and architect, I have never been social.
Speaking of encounters and contributions, I have been teaching design and illustration at a vocational school since 2002. I have also been teaching art at another vocational school for about 15 years.
Through these activities, I would like to contribute to the local community (give back) through my paintings.

To be honest, this is the first time I have participated in such a big exhibition. I'm still at a loss as to what to do. Also, when I was young, I participated in overseas exhibitions 4.5 times. (Complete in a few easy steps.)
Also, this kind of exhibition is aimed at young people, so I don't have many opportunities to participate at my age. I never thought I would receive an award at my age.
Especially for the A' Design Award, I never thought I would win it, so the process after receiving the award was very difficult. Now I have to cut my sleep for 2-3 weeks for paperwork. (due to language and computer barriers). Still in production
It would be nice to have someone nearby who knows how to use it, but working alone is tiring (because I don't want to get used to using a computer).
However, by answering many interviews this time, I was able to face my life again. I realized that I was taken care of by many people until now.
The English barrier is still high, and I don't know how to operate a computer, so it's hard. I was very tired, but I learned a lot.
thank you very much.

I am not a designer.
Freelance illustrator.
I studied under a certain illustrator and became an illustrator who longed to draw.

Sorry I'm not a designer. I chose to be an illustrator.

I'm not a designer. I'm an illustrator. I want to create unique illustrations that are different from others. Illustrations that are my own style.

I am currently teaching design at a vocational school. Young people should not be afraid of anything, see and absorb various things, and work on design.
I want you to be greedy.

A good designer is someone who can meet the demands of the market, and a great designer is someone who can provide more than that. I think both are people who have the spirit to take on challenges and the ability to continue.

It's kind to the earth and people, and it's been loved for a long time.
Also nothing wasted. I think that excellent designs are found in nature (plants, insects, etc.) rather than things that people think of.

think that the value of good design is that it is friendly to people and the earth, and that everyone can say it is good.
If the design is useful for someone, investment is also necessary.

If I had the time, I would like to design my own garden.
Also, since it's hard to use, I would like to design something that is easy to use, like a lawnmower.
As I said before, I'm always pressed for time. Right now, I want to create more of my own work.

Right now I feel like I want to create my own artwork to my heart's content as long as time allows.
At the moment I'm so busy with daily chores that I don't have time to create artwork.
I'm also in the middle of thinking about the theme of my artwork.
I will let you know once I've decided.

I don't really know what the secret is to succeed in design. I think the only thing for sure is whether you can satisfy people who are looking for design. If I had to say, I guess it's to pursue that goal and never give up. Isn't that the secret?

Old buildings such as shrines and temples, colors and designs. Also, the fun of the shape of the Buddha statue, the fang design

Patterns used in the Kofun period, patterns on African tools, Celtic patterns, etc. I am drawn to designs that were born from the lives of ordinary people.

I believe that the best designs are found in nature, not in man-made objects.
Because humans can't do it. Also, it becomes the motif of the illustration.

I'm not a designer, but I think the best way to improve is to set goals and never give up.

I'm a designer and I don't have a picture. I'm an illustrator now.

We want to make the design easy to use, understand, and use. And also emotionally nourishing.

The people who commissioned me to work, myself, and the judges who awarded me the award - the people who like (support) my paintings have helped me the most.

I'm not a great designer.
I'm just an illustrator who loves to draw.
I'm still a developing illustrator.

I have not become a design master. I'm on my way. Right now, I'm having a hard time with the language barrier.

First of all, I think that it should be expressed to the user that it is easy to use, easy to read, and safe.

Nothing has been decided.
As an illustrator (demo as a painter), I would like to hold a solo exhibition overseas.

Sorry.
I'm not a designer, so I'd like to have a solo exhibition overseas as an illustrator.
Or rather, I feel that I want to continue creating works that are unique to me.

I'm not a designer.
I'm certainly not a respected designer.
If there's one thing I expect from the designers I respect, it's that they use their skills for the benefit of everyone. Is that what I would say?

In order to create a better society, I would like people to think about and design things that are good not only for people, but also for nature, the earth, and the universe.

Previously, I would answer that I wanted to design my family's garden and fields, but now I'm busy with daily chores.
If I had to say, I would like to design my own time and create more artworks.

It's not design, but it's my first job as an illustrator. It was a campaign poster for JR Tottori and Shimane in Japan. I remember making free and fun illustrations with a fictitious animal (Yamata no Orochi) as a motif.

The design industry is currently in a state of transition. With the spread of personal computers and AI, anyone can easily create something that resembles a design.
However, what is better design, and what should it be? Is it a design that is good for people, the earth, and the universe? Isn't it time to reconsider this?

While the internet has brought the world closer, it also seems like people are feeling a sense of loneliness. Will the field of design also become borderless and operate on a global scale? (For better or worse)

I can't say how many hours, as I think it depends on the size of the design project. It may take a week or two, or it may take years.
By the way, I have never been involved in such a long project.

Let's start with communication. What is the problem? What is important? What is the goal? Doesn't that start with the meeting?

I am not a designer. I'm an illustrator.
But I think we have something in common. Perseverance and strength to continue.

If it were true, I would like to decide the trend of the design, but it seems that the trend decides the design.
Is design powerless?

I think it's a good thing that anyone can now create designs with a consistent look. On the other hand, I feel like originality is fading. I feel like there are more and more boring designs.
The role of technology has gradually become more familiar. I think it is helping to make work more efficient and save costs, but on the other hand, it doesn't mean that good designs are being created.

The basic illustration work is hand-drawn
I also use Mac OS 13.4/ Ipad.

I think it's important.
With graphics, colors, materials, images, etc., bring about the effect of conveying (findability, readability, what you want to convey at the moment).

I'm an illustrator. What questions would you like me to ask you about my illustrations? Nothing in particular.
If I had to say, is this illustration suitable for this design?
Do you like it or not

If it's wonderful, I'll pick it up and I think I'll want it.

My ideal design partner would be someone who understands me well and can talk to me, but unfortunately I haven't met him yet.

These are the illustrators who taught me illustrations.

As an illustrator, rather than as a designer, I was influenced by books on Celtic patterns, African patterns, and Japanese patterns.

Not a master designer.
The skill of an illustrator is to draw illustrations many times.

Could it be illustrator Shiro Nishiguchi, who taught me the basics of illustration? Unfortunately, he passed away last year.
I'm sure he would say, as always, "Let's create something! Let's draw!"

I don't really know because I haven't received many awards or recognition. It's very hard to become famous. Opportunities are hard to come by.

My favorite colors are: Bengara, indigo, bright green (like Japanese colors) Place: New York, Morning walk course, Food: Beans, Vegetables such as sSweet potatoes. The season is Early Summer. The brand used to be Issey Miyake's clothes

I am an illustrator, and the most interesting experience I have had as an illustrator was in July 2022, I had my first group exhibition at my gallery (with two of my illustration teachers).

I try to lead a regular life every day. I get enough sleep, exercise moderately, change my mood, pay attention to my health, and live at my own pace.
If possible, I'd like to have a little more time for myself.

We don't know what will happen in 1000 years. If possible, I hope that 1000 years from now we will still be waking up to the sound of birds in the morning and hearing the sound of frogs croaking in the rice fields. I hope that nature will continue to be abundant in 1000 years from now.

Nothing in particular.
If I have fans, I want them to see more of my illustrations.

After working at a design office in Nagoya from 1985 to 1987, I have been working as a freelance illustrator since 1987.
I founded the company by myself, so I am a completely freelance illustrator.

Although design is close to me, I make my living as an illustrator.
I have been a lecturer at a design school from 2001 to 2025 (still do), teaching about design.
Also, from an illustrator's point of view, it's about how to use (design) illustrations to appeal to viewers in advertisements.

How do I design my work?

How to show your work (how to show it?, how to express it?)
come up with an idea. I like to think about the composition and create.

My first job as an illustrator was to draw campaign posters for the Tottori and Shimane "Nippon Railroad". She was happy to receive the request. It was a work with the theme of the legendary animal "YamatanoOrochi", so it was a lot of fun.

Hand-drawn illustrations: paints, brushes, Japanese paper
Platform: Mac OS Sequoia 15.5　Created in Photoshop

Once I've decided on a theme, when I can create something that fits that concept

If it is a product, it should be easy for users to use, and it should also look cool.

It's hard when you have no ideas. But it's fun to see the work take shape. When I see the finished work, I reflect on it, but I also want to try again.

I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish it and look back and ask myself, "Was it okay?" Also, when I create something fun, I want to try again.

Tenacity, Perseverance, Continuity
and never give up

If it's a product, it should look good and be smart. And most importantly, ease of use. The most important thing is to be safe

It seems that many of the designs so far have been economically oriented. I believe that designers have a great responsibility in using materials that are in line with society and the global environment, and in thinking about designs for a sustainable and earth-friendly society.

I think that design will be born where there are people, the area will expand, and it will continue to evolve. In that sense, I feel the importance of design. The future of design is with people.

In July 2023, I had an exhibition with two of my mentor illustrators. Also, although it wasn't a design exhibition, I exhibited at the New York Art Expo held in New York in 2019.

The designs change every time, but I use ancient Celtic patterns, Japanese and Chinese patterns, and recently I've also been influenced by plants and flowers that grow nearby.

I get a lot of inspiration from old things (classics), and recently from the flowers around my feet.
I also get inspiration from imaginary things (animals). I also get it from culture such as classical performing arts and festivals.

I live in Hida Takayama. The famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go is also nearby. I think I am influenced by the cultural heritage of my own country without knowing it. Precision and seriousness are strengths and weaknesses, aren't they?

I receive job offers from companies through designers.
Designers who have seen my website contact me by email with job offers.

I think it's quite difficult to find good designers.
It may be important to appeal from here. I want companies to always keep an eye out and research designers.
"Is it a fateful encounter? "

We listen carefully to our clients, find out what they want, and come up with ideas that match them. We have several meetings with customers to propose and produce better products.

Old lacquerware
Mainspring wall clock used by my grandfather
Japanese rain gear (Mino)(ミノ）
earthen storehouse
pottery

I'm very busy every day.
Now I live in the countryside, so I do farm work and mow the grass every day like a farmer. If I keep going like this, I'll end up becoming a real farmer. Lately, I've been trying to value my own time.
Of course, I also want to make sure I have enough time to draw illustrations.

There are design hints at my feet.
Seek the old, learn the new

I'm not a designer, but it's all about balance, seeing the big picture, and coming up with ideas.
Good or bad, there is a commitment.

I want to make what I want and what I think is good. However, it must also be good for third parties (users).

Communication skills, ideas, production skills. Power to complete, power to continue. heart not to give up

Mac os, Sequoia 15.5 Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) Books (Japanese patterns, fictitious things), etc.

In addition to creating illustrations, I also work in agriculture, so it's quite difficult to find time.
I'm thinking about becoming more efficient at my farming work so I can concentrate on my original work as an illustrator. I need to design how I spend my time each day.
Maybe it means cutting down on my sleep a little?

It depends on the project, but for something simple it takes about 1-2 weeks from idea to production and completion.

I'm an illustrator and a question I get asked a lot is how long it takes to complete an illustration.

My first job as an illustrator was creating illustrations for campaign posters for JR in Tottori and Shimane. I was very happy to receive the request. Also, it was a work with the theme of the legendary animal "Yamata no Orochi", so it was very creative and fun.

There are no specific customers.

This is a job that was requested after the client saw my illustrations.
Being involved from the planning stage and turning my ideas into reality is a very rewarding and enjoyable job.

I am planning an exhibition by seven illustrators in Takayama in September 2023. At the request of two of my former teachers, the exhibition included myself, the two former teachers, and four others, for a total of seven people.
I would like to plan an exhibition like this again next time.

Original design development
However, if requested, I would like to create a design as a team.

I don't have any plans for a project at the moment. I'd like to create something. For example, I'd like to express a classic Japanese work in the form of an illustration. I haven't found what it is yet. I'll let you know when I find it.

Please contact us by email, as we cannot speak English. Recent emails have translation functions, so please feel free to contact us by email.

Nothing in particular