Design Legend Interview
49 questions
I had studied wood work when I was 20 years old. After that I experienced interior design and now I design furniture.
Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
I had studied wood work when I was 20 years old.
After that I experienced interior design and now I design furniture.
What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
The purpose of design is to make people life enrich.
I work as a designer to achieve it.
Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
I had liked making things by hand, so I studied wood work.
Then I felt I needed to know shapes, so I studied design.
What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
I design furniture, interior design and housing design.
I would like to work on the structure that is not a form.
What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
Have interest in design, see the designed products, use it and get experience from it.
What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
Good designer can design to be sold immediately.
Great designer design the products to be sold for long time.
What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
The design that can be made continually is good design.
What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
With good and the design we should invest, manufacturer can grow together.
What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
I would like to think the structure of the design with the people who need design and whom I can get along with.
What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?
Nothing special.
What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
It depends on the situation.
The environment where you design is important.
Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
Enzo Mari
What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
AKARI bi Isamu Noguchi. It is outstanding design like a sculpture which is making use of the materials and technology in the area. Frame and performance are integrated.
What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
ORI stool(Miyazaki Chair Factory).
While making use of factory’s technology at the most, it suits everyday life situation.
ORI stool is repeatedly are on production.
How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
Gain experiences.
If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
Wood craft artist.
How do you define design, what is design for you?
To make tools which is needed everyday life beautifully and emotionally.
Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
A teacher from my shool days and a master when I was young.
Manufacturer who made products together helped me as well.
Biggest help is from my family and stuff member.
What helped you to become a great designer?
I don't know since I am not great.
What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
Nothing I can think of.
How do you think designers should present their work?
It is important to provide the environment and media that suit the value of the product.
With that environment, we should show the product to the people interested in the value and explain.
What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
I work with carpenters on the project that carpenters make house and furniture for the house.
This project connects creators and users thus this creates the mechanism that things will be used with care for long period.
What's your ultimate goal as a designer?
I don't know yet.
What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
I don’t think I became an esteemed designer.
How does design help create a better society?
We should focus on the organization for creative activity rather than whole society.
Thus individual organization will be stronger which leads to strengthen whole society.
What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
All works I relate to.
Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
The project with Miyazaki Chair Factory.I have been working with them for last 20 years
The project with Miyazaki Chair Factory.I have been working with them for last 20 years.
I did not only product development but also did building design and venue of exhibition design.
We were able to environment for manufacture while manufacturing.
What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
To re think the roll of design.
Where do you think the design field is headed next?
It will be more commercial.
It is very sad thing.
How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
At least 5 years.
When you have a new design project, where do you start?
I will change the awareness of project member.
What is your life motto as a designer?
You should not design unless you are asked.
Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
The design I am aiming to achieve is in a different place from the trend.
What is the role of technology when you design?
It is premise that there is technology.
Technology is indispensable when I design.
What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
色は必須ではありません。
材料と環境は、技術と共に設計の前提です。
これらは重要な要素です。
What do you wish people to ask about your design?
Who would you design for?
When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
I would be moved and excited.
Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
To me, design partners are manufacturer, seller and user.
I believe the design with these partners.
Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
The manufacturers I have worked with.
Miyazaki Chair Factory who I worked with for Bo chair is one of them.
Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
I learned how to manage viewpoint from the book INEIRAISAN by Japanese author, Junichiro Tanizaki.
How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
The skills will grow naturally when it is needed.
Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
I am not good at talking people, so I can’t think of any special.
How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
It is important for you to know your position receiving awards.
Just become a famous is not difficult, but it is difficult to be a legend whose name will remain.
What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
color: the color of the material as it is.
place: where I live and work.
food: curry
season: spring
things to do: working
brand: Issey Miyake
Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
I have a lot and I can't decide the one.
What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
Make manufacturer cheer up and lively.
When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
I am not a great design, so I don't know.
What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
We will focus on environmental improvement and sustainability to keep us alive.
There the design will be needed for living.
Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
Design is what we do with someone.
It is important to think what good design is.