Asuka Saito

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Asuka Saito ("AS") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

AS : I studied the knowledge, standards, and skills in gems and jewelry at the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A) and obtained qualifications as a jewelry professional from them, and also developed making jewelry skills at Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and City College of San Francisco.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

AS : The thing that motivates me to design is loving design. It is really fun to see the work finished when I start to design from zero. Also, I love to see people smile at my design.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

AS : I chose to start my jewelry business and chose to go to school all because I wanted to be a jewelry designer to follow my vision to play a part in tackling social issues by delivering beautiful, high-quality, and conscience jewelry pieces.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

AS : Combined with modern and thoughtful designs, meticulous details, and a strict quality standard, my design is made for all the modern people who value not only beauty but also its environmental and social impact.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

AS : I think good designs are things that enrich people's lives in the true sense of the word or have the potential to do so. A good design not only has its beauty but also makes the world better.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

AS : I would design some jewelry for my family members. That was one of my dreams and the dream has already come true. Besides the design of jewelry, I would like to design a decorated cake if I had the time. I love cake decorating, and would love to see everybody happy when they see the cake I designed.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

AS : My inspirations are mostly from nature and architecture. I respect Kengo Kuma, a Japanese architect, his design is inspired by the light and the nature of the site of the building and he is also influenced by the natural environment, which he strives to harmonize with architecture and the human body through his work.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

AS : I love some jewelry that Prabal Gurung did for Tasaki. His designs are of exquisite quality and innovative and so beautiful.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

AS : Keep learning and keep practicing their own skills.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

AS : For me, design is how we communicate what an object does, or its function, through its shape or form. A good design not only has its beauty but also makes the world better.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

AS : My husband.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

AS : My goal as a jewelry designer is to make sustainable social change and tackle the social issues by delivering beautiful, high-quality, conscience, and fair-priced jewelry pieces made with sustainable manufacturing practices and ethically sourced materials to people. Creating jewelry that you feel good about wearing. This is what I promise to deliver via my original jewelry brand.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

AS : I remember that I was good with my hands and liked creating something, loved colors, and had a luxuriant imagination when I was a kid. At some point, I wanted to express my idea, values, and imagination in design.