Interviste con Masaki Hirokawa

I lost my beloved grandfather when I was 16 years old, and I found myself designing on the anniversary of his death. My grandfather was a palace carpenter. After that, I became interested in programming and made interactive movies, but in 2019, I went back to my roots and started pursuing graphic art expression. It's been 24 years since I was 16 years old, but I'm starting to regain the feeling I had when I was younger.

I have been developing applications for smartphones as a sole proprietorship for the past 8 years. I resumed graphic production in 2019. Currently, I have released a total of 8 iPhone/Android apps, with a total of over 20 million downloads. I pay sales tax to the government, and I am considering incorporating our company in the next fiscal year.

To manipulate a person's eyes. Nowadays, it means to manipulate a person's fingers. In short, it is reading people's minds. Design is done with the mind.

I am fascinated by Surrealist art. Modern science has already proven the extra dimension, and is closing in on those arts. I believe that the time has come for art, science and religion to be integrated.

I like Leonor Fini's paintings best. I admire her for leaving the Surrealist art movement and establishing her own art.

I started my own business and delivered web design when I was 18 years old.

Photography / Digital / Photo Collage

This is when you feel connected to God, the loneliness disappears, and your hands move automatically to work. The ego cannot exist there.

It is considered complete when the light is overflowing. My work is at its peak when the color information disappears and all I see is light.

Elation, sadness, loneliness, happiness, gratitude, and love.

I am happy to be alive. I am grateful that all my negative emotions have been sublimated and I have been able to live.

It is a design that reaches people's hearts and purifies their minds. It is a design that gives love and inspiration to people.

I focus on whether the design is needed by the world. What I don't focus on is my own personal desires. On the other hand, what I don't focus on is my own personal needs.

It is to face the pain of the world without panic even in an emergency situation, and to sublimate it into one's own work while absorbing it.

I think it lays the foundation for anyone to become a creative person. The ideal world is one where everyone is an artist.

The last time I participated in a group exhibition was in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan in 2009. Since then, I haven't made any graphic art for 10 years. In the future, I would like to exhibit my work anywhere in the world where there is a need for it.

For example, inspiration does not come to us because we have these feelings, but when we consider the scale of our need for the world. What I try to do is to keep my body clean and to go to shrines, churches, and the air of nature.

I have received feedback from viewers that they feel "comfortable" and "warm" with my graphics. My style can be light or dark, and conceptual, based on 100% inspiration.

I live in Japan, where there are many different cultures and four seasons. This is probably the best environment for me to express my multifaceted nature and to receive a wide variety of inspirations.

I do not take work from any company and continue to work independently. I make what I want to make, what people in the world need.

It is good to hire a company that will promote your company's branding and not just focus on the superficial design.

First retouch the material, then collage it, and add various corrections. I don't complete the work here, but start from there.

Angel goods, good luck charms from shrines, lighting equipment, Mac Pro, pen tablets.

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is pray to the altar, check my work report, get ready for the morning, work, check my report again in the evening, pray to the altar, and go to bed.

It seems to me that it is not about using the tools, but about creating them. I think the most precious thing is to build an environment where young people who will come after us can devote themselves to creation more comfortably.

The positive side of being a designer is that you can enjoy the fun of making things so much that you forget about your personal life. The downside is that your private life is also a part of your work.

"Rhythms and vibrations. The more I get into creating, the less I can distinguish colors, and the more I can only see light. In this situation, what I rely on is the rhythm backed by my senses. In the first place, color is a shadow of light.

It's a feeling. I think it is the ability to read r-waves while relying on the other end of the sense of touch.

The software used during the design process is Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Hardware used is Mac Pro and Intuos Pro. When creating graphics, I always chant Mandoora and touch the "Akabeko", an ancient Japanese red cow figurine.

I register my appointments in the Reminders app on my Mac, I don't leave any tasks for the next day, and if time is available, I move up next week's appointments to this week. I start working at a certain time and always stop working at 6pm in the evening.

I need 24 hours at the earliest and 3 weeks or more at the latest. There is still instability and variability.

"What is the meaning of this?" It is. To that, I can always answer. The nominated works are the most difficult to explain.

What was important was my experience as a DTP operator, a system engineer building core systems, a web designer building rich content, and my ongoing experience in application development.

Our business partners, Apple and Google, are very rich in heart and soul.

I like the work that I do the most, from start to finish, from design to development to marketing and promotion, all of it.

I want to build a more comfortable environment for young artists and creators to create. So I'm distributing all my source files. I hope that in the future, all people will be able to create.

I do my own design work.

I still want to create better works and I believe that I am just at the starting line.

I get a lot of inquiries via email, Instagram and Facebook.

I can't think of any at the moment.

During the creation of “Peace Photo Collage” in June 2020, the world was grappling with unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic. The pervasive sense of isolation and fragmentation deeply affected me. Personally, I felt a profound need to convey a message of unity and collective resilience. The placement of multiple hands encircling the central female figure symbolizes the interconnectedness of humanity. Each hand represents different individuals coming together, transcending barriers of culture, race, and geography. My personal experience of witnessing global solidarity amidst adversity inspired me to depict this harmonious embrace, emphasizing that despite our physical separations, our spirits remain entwined.

The use of gold accents in the collage serves as a universal symbol of value, purity, and enlightenment across various cultures. By integrating gold into the piece, I aimed to elevate the subjects, imbuing them with a sense of sacredness and worth. The meticulous pixel placement reflects my commitment to precision and harmony, ensuring that each element contributes meaningfully to the whole. This attention to detail was inspired by the concept of equality—every pixel, like every individual, holds significance in creating the complete image. The aesthetic choices were deliberate, intending to visually communicate that all lives are precious and interconnected, reinforcing the message of universal equality.

The creation process involved carefully selecting and integrating various photographic elements, each with its unique lighting and coloration. I began by individually editing each hand in Adobe Lightroom, adjusting brightness, contrast, and color balance to establish a uniform visual tone. This was followed by precise placement in Adobe Photoshop, where I paid close attention to the angle, position, and scale to ensure natural interaction with the central figure. Layer masks and blending modes were utilized to harmonize shadows and highlights, creating a cohesive look. The challenge was to make disparate elements appear as if they were originally part of the same scene, requiring iterative refinements and a keen eye for subtle nuances in light and color.

The central female figure was chosen as a universal symbol of humanity’s dual nature—our inherent vulnerability and innate strength. She represents the collective human spirit enduring through hardship while radiating resilience. In the context of the global challenges faced during the pandemic, I felt it essential to highlight this dichotomy. Her serene yet resolute expression serves as a beacon of hope and compassion. By positioning her at the focal point, surrounded by supportive hands, I aimed to depict the idea that strength arises not only from within but also through unity and mutual support. This portrayal underscores the message that every individual, regardless of background, contributes to the fabric of our shared existence.

Creating the collage during such a tumultuous time profoundly influenced both my artistic vision and technical execution. The pervasive atmosphere of uncertainty and the collective yearning for connection informed my decision to focus on themes of unity and peace. Technically, I was compelled to approach the composition with greater sensitivity, ensuring that each element conveyed the intended emotional resonance. The limited physical interactions prompted me to explore deeper digital collaboration and expression. The urgency of the moment drove me to work intensively, completing the piece within a week, as I sought to capture and reflect the zeitgeist—a world striving for equilibrium amidst chaos.

The hands symbolize different facets of humanity coming together to form a greater whole—a higher being embodying collective peace and harmony. In selecting each hand, I considered diversity in form and gesture to represent various cultures and experiences. Their positioning around the central figure was meticulously planned to create a sense of balance and movement, suggesting an embrace or a protective aura. The arrangement is reminiscent of a mandala, conveying spiritual unity and completeness. This configuration aims to illustrate that peace is achieved through the harmonious collaboration of individuals, each contributing their unique essence to the creation of something transcendent.

My journey began with web design at the age of 16, where I developed a foundation in digital aesthetics and technical skills. Over the years, my experience as a system engineer and app developer honed my precision and attention to detail. Merging traditional art concepts with advanced digital techniques in “Peace Photo Collage” represents the culmination of my multidisciplinary background. The fusion allows me to explore complex themes with greater depth and flexibility. It reflects an evolution from purely functional design to expressive artistry, utilizing technology not just as a tool but as an integral medium to convey nuanced messages. This synergy embodies my growth and continuous pursuit of innovation in visual expression.

The dimensions of 840mm x 600mm were chosen to create an immersive experience without overwhelming the viewer. This size is slightly larger than A1, allowing for detailed intricacies to be appreciated while maintaining an intimate connection. The scale facilitates a balance between grandeur and accessibility, inviting viewers to engage closely with the piece. It provides ample space to showcase the elaborate details, such as the subtle expressions and the intricate interplay of the hands. The intention was to enhance the emotional impact by ensuring that the composition commands attention and encourages contemplation, effectively conveying the profound themes of unity and peace.

Receiving the Gold A’ Design Award is both an honor and a motivator to delve deeper into global social themes. This recognition affirms the resonance of my work with a wider audience and encourages me to continue using digital art as a platform for meaningful dialogue. I envision expanding my explorations to address pressing issues such as environmental conservation, social justice, and cultural convergence. The award provides greater visibility, enabling collaborations and initiatives that can amplify the impact of my messages. It reinforces my commitment to create art that not only reflects but also influences positive change in the world.

Translating the multifaceted nature of human existence into a singular image required an integrative approach. I began by identifying core themes that universally affect humanity—peace, unity, and equality. Drawing inspiration from Japanese Buddhist teachings, I sought to encapsulate these concepts through symbolic elements. The central figure and surrounding hands represent the interconnected systems of society, culture, and spirituality. I employed a meticulous layering technique, with over 200 layers, to weave together various symbols seamlessly. The use of non-destructive editing allowed for continuous refinement, ensuring that each component contributed to the overall narrative. The challenge was to maintain coherence while embodying complexity, ultimately creating an image that invites reflection and offers solace.