Yasuhito Takeuchi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yasuhito Takeuchi ("YT") 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?

YT : During my school days, I liked music, fashion and art. Then I studied a lot in books and magazines, shared it with my friends, and deepened knowledge more and more. And what was deeply involved in them was design. I am interested and started a part-time job at the design office.

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

YT : I thought creative and creativity seemed to be very rewarding.

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

YT : I started walking along the way of the designer without hesitation.

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

YT : I founded a design studio in 2004. I am doing a wide range of work regardless of genre such as entertainment, education, fashion, company, package, branding, etc. My favorite work is not decided by my likes and dislikes. I like works that survey, analysis, achievement, sense, fold.

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

YT : I do not seek immediate profits, but I think it is important to look forward.

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

YT : I think that it is important to think flexibly with a broad perspective without thinking from a narrow perspective.

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

YT : My favorite work is not decided by my likes and dislikes. I like works that survey, analysis, achievement, sense, fold.

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

YT : Design is what makes the world better, communicates and evokes various emotions.

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

YT : I will design an ancient Japanese way of thinking.

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

YT : Japanese way of thinking.

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

YT : My favorite materials are ceramic and fabric. I like technology but I am attracted to these materials. I want to print the graphics as it is, I want to make the product shape with the graphics as it is.

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

YT : Hiroshi Sugimoto

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

YT : Hiroshi Sugimoto. Because he incorporate Japanese way of thinking into art and design, he is energetically active.

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

YT : It is Sharaku which was exhibited in "Inspired by Sharaku Exhibition" of Tokyo Design Week.

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

YT : Presentation ability and creative ability that can convince clients.

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

YT : Editor of a music magazine.

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

YT : For me, design is what makes the world better, communicates and evokes various emotions.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

YT : Many investigations, many insights, many trials.

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

YT : Narrow insight, a weak heart that can not be tried.

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

YT : I will design an ancient Japanese way of thinking.

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

YT : Depending on what you design, the feelings of many people move.

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

YT : Being a creative rich world, not a world made only with specs.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YT : Talk directly, move, the world changes. There are many more things that can be done because of the creative power.

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

YT : I will design an ancient Japanese way of thinking.

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

YT : It is Sharaku which was exhibited in "Inspired by Sharaku Exhibition" of Tokyo Design Week.

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

YT : Even soon.

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

YT : A world that is reasonable and speaks with specifications. It will be a better world by creative power.

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

YT : To know and investigate many of the projects.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

YT : For me, design is what makes the world better, communicates and evokes various emotions.

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

YT : Trend is only one factor. Not only trends, more elements make up the design.

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

YT : Creative direction, Art direction, Graphic design.

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

YT : Machintosh, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

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

YT : Traditional Japanese colors, ceramic and fabric.

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

YT : How wonderful the world was, and you chewed.

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

YT : A person who is strong in creative power and full of sense.

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

YT : Hiroshi Sugimoto

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

YT : Hiroshi Sugimoto "Origin of art"

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

YT : I think what is important, what I do and what I think is important.

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

YT : Three thousand years ago people

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

YT : I do not know which awards will be judged, who will review, what kind of power will be added, and what will be chosen.

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

YT : Traditional Japanese colors, Nara prefecture, Udon, Spring, Creative things, JW Anderson

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

YT : I go to a creative and naturally rich place with my family.

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

YT : When I was a child, my family was not creative.

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

YT : When I was a child, my family was not creative. The only thing that was good was that my family let me do it at will.

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

YT : Please enjoy the creative and dreamy world.