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Interview with Kazune Watanabe |
Home > Designer Interviews > Kazune Watanabe |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Kazune Watanabe (KW) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Kazune Watanabe 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?
KW: The catalyst for my interest in design came from two artists. Firstly, when I was 17 years old, I encountered the manga of Japanese artist Tsutomu Nihei. His manga had a grand-scale, unprecedented science fiction world that I had never seen before. It was a story about a colossal building where one could spend countless hours and years in an elevator but never reach the top floor. Inspired by this manga, I attended the design event called "Superflat Exhibition" where the manga artist participated. There, I encountered numerous creators such as Takashi Murakami, Groovisions, Masafumi Sanai, hiromix, Yoshitomo Nara, and Hiro Sugiyama, which expanded my perspective. The second influence came from my passion for techno music. Witnessing the activities of the creative collective "Tomato" inspired me to pursue a career in design.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KW: There There was established in 2018. We primarily focus on graphic and editorial design and engage in design activities using typography without limiting ourselves to specific areas. We prioritize capturing the essence and atmosphere of the subject in our designs.
FS: What is "design" for you?
KW: I believe that design is the act of capturing the present moment. It is the process of envisioning and improving for the near future.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KW: I prefer design that involves contemplating and finding answers about the essence and nature of an object, rather than design focused solely on creating visuals.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KW: I like the works of Theo Jansen. They evoke various elements such as the Earth, life, and the future. I believe that design is an act of envisioning the future and contemplating it.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KW: The first thing I designed was the company's business card. I consider the business card to be a representation of everything that encompasses the design approach we take. I created it with the intention of being an indication of our future direction. While keeping it simple, I incorporated the company's values and aspirations into the design.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KW: My favorite material is aluminum. While I keep track of platforms and technologies as sources of information, I don't have any specific favorites.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
KW: The time when I feel most creative is when I'm contemplating the definition of things.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KW: I place emphasis on how much intervention is needed to enhance the overall presence of the object. Depending on the nature of the object, there are cases where the design takes the forefront and cases where it doesn't. I strive to avoid designs that rely solely on techniques to mask shortcomings.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KW: The process of untangling thoughts and establishing a way of thinking requires patience and often puts me in a mentally intense state. I tend to thrive when under pressure, as I don't function well without it.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KW: I am curious about the genuine reactions of people who engage with my designs. I wonder what aspects they notice or pay attention to. I also observe whether they notice the subtle design points I have incorporated.
FS: What makes a design successful?
KW: I believe that what makes a design successful is the sincere engagement with the object.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KW: ·Whether it is an appropriate expression of the present moment. ·Where the novelty lies. ·The thought process behind establishing the essence of the design.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KW: The responsibility of designers is to avoid excessively exaggerated designs for the sake of the object.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
KW: I feel that design is evolving alongside technology. The future of design may lie in shaping the future of society and the world.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KW: In February 2023, I held an exhibition at einBuch.haus in Berlin, Germany. I am planning to organize a new experimental exhibition within the year 2023.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KW: I consider the current situation and contemplate the cause-and-effect relationships to determine the direction in which things are heading. I also think about how to express the present and the near future and what approach would be best for that.
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?
KW: I believe that expressing my individuality as little as possible is what makes it unique. I capture the expressions and manifestations that surround us and contemplate how those expressions can be intriguing. I aim to create a slight sense of unease with minimal adjustments in the state of objects, understanding that even a small margin can significantly alter perception.
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?
KW: I live in Tokyo, Japan. While I am aware of the cultural heritage and what it represents, I have limited opportunities to directly engage with it. I appreciate the importance of things that endure, but I am also interested in how it can transform and evolve in the present and future. The mainstream design principles in Japan may differ from my own design approach, but I believe that these differences allow me to highlight my unique perspective and stand out.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
KW: ·Thinking about the object itself. ·Contemplating how the object can take on a slightly futuristic form. ·Establishing a solid base concept and considering methods of expression. ·Selecting appropriate means of expression and eliminating unnecessary elements. ·Engaging in detailed design work to enhance the overall aesthetic.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KW: ·Artek Ronan & Erwan - Bouroullec Table ·E&Y Futamata Koichi - Hammock Coffee Table ·Maison Martin Margiela Published by RIZZOLI ·MAX LAMB - My Grandfather's Tree Trineko Woodwork (Actual piece) ·Hans J. Wegner - GE258 Sofa Bed
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
KW: For one hour before starting work, I play shogi (Japanese chess) every morning. During the day while working, I try to take breaks every 30 minutes to 1 hour, in order to avoid seeing things from the same perspective. In the evenings, when I feel stuck in my design work, I go for a walk for about 2 hours. Walking allows me to generate different thoughts and helps me organize my ideas.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
KW: There is nothing you shouldn't do, so I believe it's good to freely express yourself while sincerely engaging with the subject. I think it's important to consider what actions are necessary for the other person to feel good about it.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
KW: Being a designer may seem glamorous, but it also requires down-to-earth and persistent effort. It cultivates a way of seeing things, but at the same time, creating something without a clear goal requires a certain level of determination and commitment.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
KW: The "golden rule" in design is to be simple and to provide answers that are relevant to the present moment.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
KW: The ability to perceive and think about things and to approach them systematically.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KW: I determine my optimal working hours and make sure not to exceed them within a day.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
KW: I determine my optimal working hours and make sure not to exceed them within a day.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
KW: The ideation process can vary, sometimes ideas come quickly, while others may take two weeks to a month or even longer. The actual output phase often takes 1-2 days to create. However, the design work to convince and refine the output can take up to ten times longer than the actual output. These time frames serve as a general, but depending on the project, it may require longer periods of time.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
KW: Kuwasawa Design School 2022 Guidebook
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
KW: I find it most enjoyable to work with people who are open to incorporating new perspectives. When I collaborate with individuals who don't rely solely on their own viewpoints, there is a higher potential for innovative design to emerge.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
KW: I will explore more deeply the design concept for which I received the award this time. This time it was a book, but in the future I would like to develop it on a larger scale in a space.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KW: I work as part of a team within a company. This allows me to collaborate and achieve things that would be difficult to accomplish individually.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
KW: I would like to create numerous works that resemble digital creations but are entirely analog in their expression, without using electricity.
FS: How can people contact you?
KW: Please send a message to the email address listed on the website or through social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.
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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