Masahiko Sato

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Masahiko Sato ("MS") 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?

MS : No formal architecture education, start self studying at some point.

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

MS : Was impressed at how interesting architectural could be when working at work site.

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

MS : It was by my own will

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

MS : Architectural design, not only houses, we expected to design any kind of building.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

MS : Explore various kind of skills and experience architecture more.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

MS : Their qualifications.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

MS : Design that able to increase the quality of its surrounding environment

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

MS : A design that able to satisfy its user and people around it. Good design educate people and make society have a good standard of life.

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

MS : I design that gives satisfaction to wide range of people.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

MS : To design not only inside japan, we want to provide our service to clients around the world.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

MS : I dont considered myself as a success person yet.

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

MS : Le corbuzier

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

MS : I always have interest in any kind of design, regardless of what or who designed it.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

MS : I house (House of horizon) The harmonization of nature and design of the building.

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

MS : Travel to many place around the world, witness and experience the plurality and endless posibilites of design.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

MS : I cant think a better option than to be designer.

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

MS : Its reflection of civilization and culture of human.

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

MS : Its my wife

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MS : A courages to make a decision and believe in it.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

MS : Realization of design that match the expectation.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

MS : By paying attention and show how the design will elaborate will the environments

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

MS : Currently we are designing a shopping mall complex, several private houses design and collaborate with firm from europe in international architecture competition.

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

MS : To create a design firm from japan that able to practice and compete globaly.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

MS : Endless creativity and improvement to create a much better architectural design that able to realize peoples dream and happiness.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MS : By providing a solution and at the sametime stimulate more ideas.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

MS : Our collaboration with firm from italy on some architectural competition for school design. Its interesting to collaborate with other designer, it gave us chance to learn more about other culture and thinking approach.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

MS : I still expect it to come in the future.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

MS : Design wont become a product of certain individual anymore ,instead it will be a result of collaboration of many people and ideas.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

MS : Design that will pay more attention to relation of human and the sustainability of its environment.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

MS : It different for each project depends on the scale and the requirements.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

MS : It start from careful observation of the site and environment.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MS : To consider not only the present but the future.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

MS : Both thing is possible

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

MS : To simulate space and its relation with human

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

MS : CAD software and 3d modeling software

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

MS : It helps create a desired condition that stimulate certain spatial experience

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

MS : Anything that comes to their mind.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

MS : To learn good things from it and create a better design.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

MS : I trust all my staff in the office. They are my ideal design partner.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

MS : Its hard to tell.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

MS : The history of design from all around the world

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

MS : Never stop thinking and wondering.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

MS : Le corbuzier

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

MS : Its still to early to feel satisfied, i will keep working hard to produce better design and aim for more prestigious recognition.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

MS : White , blue, sea, ramen , spring , winter ,porsche

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

MS : There are too many of them, difficult to explain

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

MS : I always say to my sel that i could do it no matter what.

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

MS : Not even a bit

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

MS : Everything will absolutely become more easy and convinient.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

MS : I hope that more people could think not only for the sake of themselves or presenttime, we need to think more about the better future and next generation.