Designer Interview
38 Froen
The life is short. I have been attracted of making something wholehearted and remains for much longer than human life like the Parthenon such as over 1500 years remaining.
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?
The life is short. I have been attracted of making something wholehearted and remains for much longer than human life like the Parthenon such as over 1500 years remaining. That became one of the reasons that i was willing to be a designer.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Based on architectural design, we are doing a wide range of creations including products, graphics and events.
What is "design" for you?
It is a way to invite people involved in it to self-actualization.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Botanical Hanger which is completed design by fusing with nature is one of favorite works by recently designed ones.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I like designs created by nature. There will be no one who is not impressed watching the rainbow. I long for such a design.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
It is a white chair named Ivy Chair.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I like natural materials like trees and stones.
When do you feel the most creative?
I am creating like breathing.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
To remain for long
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
More pleasure
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
That wasteful things have been removed and things as pure as possible.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Due to the rich susceptibility of designers, to quickly recognize changes and problems in society, express it in an easy-to-understand way, and take action to widely acknowledge it.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I think the original part will not be changed.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
I had three exhibitions in Tokyo last month and the next one will be held in May in Tokyo.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
The source of inspiration is the nature.
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?
Sketch, drawing, CG, model etc.
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?
I live in Tokyo. I am influenced greatly by Japanese culture.
How do you work with companies?
I mainly work with cultural contribution.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
I think that if it is possible to collaborate while mutually respecting what it can do as a designer in order to make cultural contribution which can only be done only to companies better, it will lead to good results.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Think, sketch, move hands and involve people.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Worn-out ANT chair, SWAN CHAIR with a bright color leather, an antique stool and an antique coat hanger are my favorites. There is not a coat but one orchid hanging on the coat hanger. The orchid is also one of my favorite interior tools.
Can you describe a day in your life?
I wake up, design, eat something delicious, design again and sleep.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Your design skill will be polished by touching nature. Cherish nature.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Designers are always asked for designs to sell from clients.
Responding to that is also the responsibility of the designer, but we need to work on that work with a broad perspective.
We must calmly judge whether it is a burden on the environment or a true value from a cultural point of view.
Depending on this judgment, designers can be good or bad.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
It is to get rid of extra things.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Perseverance
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
There are CAD and travel.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I do not do anything special.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends on things. Some were made in six hours and some were three years.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
Who is your favorite designer? Who is your favorite architect?
What was your most important job experience?
It is the design of housing.
Who are some of your clients?
HERMES、ISSEY MIYAKE etc
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Housing design is the most exciting for me.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
To be a design consultant using my design skills
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
We are developing with an excellent team.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Although I can not talk about the details because of a confidentiality agreement, I would like to talk about activities working with Big Maison. I believe that this project will bring a surprise to the world with developing Japanese culture.
How can people contact you?
By email.
info@thedesignlabo.co.jp
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
I believe that the world will become even more peaceful if there are more good-designs around.
As this award is doing, let's have good designs everyone!
