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Interview with Atsushi Kobayashi |
Home > Designer Interviews > Atsushi Kobayashi |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Atsushi Kobayashi (AK) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Atsushi Kobayashi by clicking here.
FS: 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?
AK: When I was 12 years old, I watched the movie "Terminator 2". For a elementary school kid, that epoch-making movie had enough reason to make life decision at that time. And then I decided to go to computer science major. I started my career as a computer graphic engineer. I learned VFX technique and graphic design skills as well. Making use of these my careers, I am currently working for experiential promotion events.
FS: What is "design" for you?
AK: Design makes our lives better, more creative and beautiful.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AK: I currently prefer to create interactive designs combining technologies and visual beauty. I want visitors to enjoy my installations.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AK: It was UI designs for broadcasting video systems when I was a new employee at Japanese tv station.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AK: Phidget is a physical representation or implementation of a GUI widget. These products are pretty powerful for making interactive installations.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
AK: I feel it is the most creative process when I am building concepts.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AK: I focus more on concept building and designing visitors' experience.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AK: zeal, passion
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AK: I feel satisfied.
FS: What makes a design successful?
AK: I would say design should be understandable to anyone. How visitors react or interact with designs are fundamental parts to be successful design.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AK: Great design stays up-to-date, but good design may loses its connections with current viewers.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AK: I would say designer should think of making lives better, more creative and beautiful.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AK: I think there will be no border between design field and technology field. Both evolve with deep relationship.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AK: My exhibition is still running in downtown Los Angeles until August 2019. I want to exhibit my installations in New York next.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AK: I always try new experience. That works for me to come up with design inspiration and creativity.
FS: 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?
AK: The main characteristic of my installation is interactiveness. I focus on visitors' experience and design it to make visitors enjoy my installations.
FS: 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?
AK: I am currently living in Los Angeles. There is no cultural heritage here but many events related to arts and technologies happens. And there are many chances for artists. This environment affects my creative inspiration.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AK: At first, I am doing in-depth research for the theme to make a core concept. According to the concept I come up with some key words or key colors. For design I mostly start with hand drawing.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
AK: I always try new experience. I like going to art museums, new restaurants and other countries and get inspiration for my creativity.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AK: See a lot of good designs and understand what kind of design you like. And make your own design standard.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AK: I would say design should be understandable to anyone, no matter what their education, age or nationality. And interactiveness of a design is also key factor to me. How visitors react or interact with designs are fundamental parts of my designing work.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
AK: Communication skills
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AK: Derivative TouchDesigner / Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop / Autodesk Maya
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AK: Most of the case it takes a month or two months.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AK: How to come up with the concept for my installations.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
AK: Working for promotion events for Hollywood movies with talented colleagues in LA. I could learn new technologies for entertainment industries.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AK: I currently prefer to create interactive installations combining technologies and visual beauty. I want visitors to enjoy my installations.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AK: I will apply for international art festival, exhibitions and competitions.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AK: It's depends on the projects but I think anyone who has different expertise than I have may make a good design partner.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AK: Exhibition at a gallery in Los Angeles.
FS: How can people contact you?
AK: Email or Instagram. atsushi_kb
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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