Krista Watanabe

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Krista Watanabe ("KW") 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?

KW : After graduating I made Urban design for 3 years. After this the following 25 years I worked as an architect and interior design. I also concentrate on furniture design and recently on designer goods.

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

KW : My main motivation is to always make an unique piece. I wanted to become a designer so i can express the things i have in my mind and can make it something people can see.

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

KW : It was own choice.

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

KW : When i make a design i want to design everything from the building trough the interior, to till the furniture and goods.

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

KW : Always to look at the work of the great designers and always to challenge yourself.

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

KW : The great designer must be able to see trough the customers eyes his own design.

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

KW : The design must not be too strong. must be creative.

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

KW : the value of the good design is the flexibility.

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

KW : I would like to have time to be able to design chairs.

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

KW : 1-Real international beach resort 2-In a unique location somewhere around the world i would like to make a very high class hotel.

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

KW : never fear collaboration with an artist including art, music, smells etc.

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

KW : Jeffrey bower [sri lanka] Kerry Hill Architects

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

KW : Heritance Kandalama Hotel |

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

KW : Hotel Kanra Kyoto: It is a Luxury City hotel Japanese style. Until it was built on Japan have never been similar type hotel.

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

KW : I took as much challenges as i could. I made many mistakes and i learned a lot from them.

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

KW : I have always wanted to be a designer so i dont really know.

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

KW : To be able to express a feeling.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KW : I awe a lot to my company, the freedom they gave me while designing

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

KW : to be able to create great team

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

KW : To be able to understand what are the people looking for in your design and present this to them.

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

KW : Art concept hotel in Okinawa and Seoul

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

KW : Become a world wide famous designer

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

KW : Good balanced design that brings a feeling to it. A timeless design that is not a passage fashion.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KW : To make something new, something that has not been made before.

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

KW : Hotels, Restaurants, Aquarium.

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

KW : Hotel Kanra Kyoto.

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

KW : I would like the next design trend to be natural modern.

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

KW : About a month to make a design concept

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

KW : The place of the design. What is the unique character of the place where the design is going to be.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KW : Always have a drawer full of ideas.

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

KW : The designers make the trends

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

KW : The balance between the color and the materials make the space of the design.

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

KW : I would like people to ask me about the design concept.

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

KW : If it was mine the design i would do...

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

KW : A designer that have ideas different of mine.

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

KW : from the Japanese company [ Graph ] Issey Kitagawa

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

KW : AU, and the magazines: Brutus and the japanese [shoten kenchiku] and new architecture

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

KW : experience

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

KW : Jeffrey bower [sri lanka] Kerry Hill Architects

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

KW : Simply trully happy

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

KW : color: Grey place:countryside Food:sushi season:Spring thing:nothing in particular Brand:No brand things

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

KW : nothings comes to my mind right now

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

KW : Clients thoughts

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

KW : I wanted to be a lawyer as a little kid

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

KW : I would like Japan to become a country even more respectful to the design itself. I still feel that is not strong enough