Tomohiro Katsuki

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tomohiro Katsuki ("TK") 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?

TK : I start to work from the age of 20, in Osaka Japan. Mainly of commercial design work.

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

TK : At that time in Osaka, commercial design is lively. Boutiques, restaurants, bars, and clubs, a new culture was born one after another. I was longing to it.

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

TK : I choose the profession of designers naturally.

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

TK : I regardless of the genre, corresponding to all of the problems. And we aim to resolve.

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

TK : Every day, please imagine a well become future. And the continuation of the effort. Let's meet a lot of peoples.

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

TK : The difference of thinking time. The difference between the period of it imagine the beautiful future.

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

TK : Design, function, cost balance,

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

TK : That mind to be happy, that life is convenient,

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

TK : For loved ones

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

TK : Design of space facilities

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

TK : Isamu Noguchi, Bauhaus, Sori Yanagi

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

TK : I like minimalist design. Concise and beautiful design.

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

TK : There are not many things you need in life.

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

TK : I turn to the problem every day.

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

TK : Traditional craft

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

TK : Think through it.

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

TK : Family, senior, friends, staff, all of the client.

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

TK : I'm Japanese, but work in China. Language and living environment.

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

TK : Our and philosophy, the fusion of the client's philosophy

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

TK : For the environment and education goal, the young designer.

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

TK : I hope to create something meaningless.

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

TK : For example, people who were pessimistic about the future.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TK : A little convenient, a little new, a little futuristic.

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

TK : Plan currently in Shanghai. New platform

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

TK : Client smile.

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

TK : More innovative, and more conservative. The two sides are more important.

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

TK : Technological innovation, such as AI. More handmade in the contrary.

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

TK : It depends on the situation.

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

TK : Right Here Right Now

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

TK : I think so

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

TK : Such as Mac and Windows is a generic Software.

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

TK : Memory and emotions

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

TK : Everyone want to feel beautiful.

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

TK : Expectations and excitement.

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

TK : All of the people is a design partner.

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

TK : Sensitive people in the era

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

TK : Kenji Miyazawa, Night on the Galactic Railroad

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

TK : He studied a variety of teacher, and was nightlife many.

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

TK : Private conversations is necessary

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

TK : Thing that has been evaluated by various criteria. I do not intended to be famous.

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

TK : Favorite color is blue, favorite place is the sea, favorite food is grilled meat, favorite season is autumn, brand non-brand

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

TK : It was an electric shock.

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

TK : Morning coffee

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

TK : It also did not.

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

TK : Everyone might have been living in space.

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

TK : I often used to design the beauty of nature.Happy if me feel it.