Designer Interview

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Interview with Takayas Mizuno at Thursday 19th of April 2012

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?
TM: I have always desired to be an artist to express my emotions through my artwork. The trigger to enter jewelry design was when I realized I wanted to mix my past life in Japan and fuse it with my life in United States and use technology to design.

FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TM: Takayas Custom Jewelry is a small studio, but highly functional with a creative atmosphere. The shop has been at this location for five years. There are plans to expand.

FS: What is "design" for you?
TM: "Design" is an expression like a painting, unlike languages, it can be very quiet and humble, but yet be a very strong message to the people who understand it or are touched by it.

FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TM: Jewelry is my speciality, but I do like designing furniture because of the architecture, and industrial merchandise like office supplies such as computer mouses, pens, organizational pieces.

FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TM: A ring I designed for a couple about to be married, and it was my favorite because they didn't know what they wanted. However, once I listened to them talk about their relationship, I was able to express their emotions through the design, and they were highly touched and I knew then that the design was complete.

FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TM: Rings

FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TM: CAD

FS: When do you feel the most creative?
TM: When I am alone early in the morning or late at night.

FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TM: That whatever the design is, it does not compete with the comfortabiltiy of wearing it.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TM: Excited, creative, challenged.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TM: Achievement, satisfaction, happiness.

FS: What makes a design successful?
TM: The process of making it forces one to adjust the design when it needs it, so that the prototype functions and appears the way I created it in CAD.

FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TM: Functionality of the design is the most important aspect that I look for.

FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TM: The designer should always consider what materials he is choosing to build his design. Since it has become easier to get more information , the designer should be very conscious of the effects to the environment and to society as a whole of which materials to use.

FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TM: The design field is now being recognized as it should be. People are now realizing the importance of having a "good" design as the core of any product that is being created.

FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TM: My inspiration comes from everyday objects. I make it a point to look beyond their "obvious" designs and functionality. I challenge myself on how to incorporate them in my designs.

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?
TM: I was always fascinated in the unison of organic and geometric shapes in my designs. Using two conflicting concepts and balancing them helps me to find new ways and be more creative.

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?
TM: Being born and raised in Japan and now living in the USA, has helped me see more clearly the contrasting concepts of designs. Japanese designers incorporates history,culture and traditions in all of their designs giving all of their work meaning other than just being functional and cold structures.

FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TM: First is getting an idea/inspiration. Then I proceed to making it w/CAD to test how the design would look in 3D. Then I make the necessary changes and finish it.

FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TM: They should first become the biggest fan of their design. But at the same time, be courageous enough to accept rejection and do the necessary changes to their design.

FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TM: Being able to express myself in my design is one of the most wonderful feeling I experience as a designer. To be appreciated and recognized by my customers and peers would be the most gratifying part.

FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
TM: In my industry, my designs are what my customers want. I make my designs as personal for them as possible.

FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
TM: The ability thru training and experience to identify even the smallest details of the design.

FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TM: CAD design soft wares and keeping updated with information regarding jewelry technologies and machinery.

FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TM: I create a deadline for myself and I stick with it. No matter what obstacles or changes during the process, I make sure I follow my deadline for any project.

FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TM: About 2 hours.

FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TM: "Where do I get my inspiration?"

FS: What was your most important job experience?
TM: Meeting and dealing with various couples with different personalities. This interactions sharpen my ability to create a design that would connect my creation to the customers requests.

FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TM: Working with jewelry was the best way for me to express my creativity. It gives me the pleasure of seeing my designs being cared for because of it's sentimental value and can also be appreciated by the next generation.

FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TM: I am currently working in branding my jewelry. My future plan is do collaborate work with well known jewelry companies that would match my design concepts and ideas.

FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TM: I work by myself in developing designs.

FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TM: None at the moment.

FS: How can people contact you?
TM: They can contact me thru my email at info@takayascustomjewelry.com.

FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.

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