YUKA FUKUOKA
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yuka Fukuoka ("YF") 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?
YF : I majored in information design when I was an undergraduate, and then majored in Social Innovation Design at graduate school.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
YF : When I was small, I loved the creative play of drawing and making things. As an extension of that, I became interested in design.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
YF : I chose the designer as a creative profession who can contribute to society.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
YF : Design can change the perspective of social problems in the society.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
YF : Read many philosophy books, going to museums to see many arts.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
YF : Good designer just designs what they need to submit to clients and boss, great designer creates their masterpiece contains the deep concept who is like an artist
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
YF : Good design is strategic. Strategic design increases the company's brand and product value, so CEOs should invest in design in particular.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
YF : I have an interest in real-estate and healthcare industries.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
YF : I admire Yusaku Kamekura, who designed the logo and poster series for the 1964 Summer Olympics. He is amazing Japanese Graphic Designer.
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
YF : I like the Tokyo 1964 poster designed by Yusaku Kamekura. One of them is uses the rising Sun in powerful red, and Olympic symbols and copy in gold. It’s simple and classic. Also, it contains strong message.
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
YF : Both STACHA and VRbal are great design. Conducting a lot of research and user tests makes it great design.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
YF : Following a strong passion to solve own issues makes them better designers.
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
YF : Design is tool to solve problems.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
YF : My biggest supporter is my parents, partner. And project members who worked together in the past.
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
YF : My obstacle is how to communicate with target audiences, and how to let them join my project by attracting.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
YF : I want to eventually own my own company. And I want to utilize design as a core value in my business.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
YF : Design can be a tool to solve problems for those who face them. And by publishing work that contains a message, we can change society's perspective towards problems, and then society will change in the long term.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
YF : I am working on digital tools for people who have mental issues, so I am excited to work on it.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
YF : I think anyone can be designer in near future like an amateur. However, I would like to see more professional, sophisticated, and craftsman-like designers.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
YF : It’s about 2-3 months.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
YF : “Design is a bright song of life.” – Yusaku Kamekura
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
YF : Technology is core of my design works.
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
YF : I mostly use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, inDesign and Sketch when I design.
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
YF : Taro Okamoto's Book “Jibun no naka ni doku o mote (To Have Poison Inside Yourself-Can You Discard Your Common Sense?)”
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
YF : I like deep blue.
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
YF : When I was a kid, I wanted to become an Artist. But it turned a Design eventually, and then I want to become a Designer like an Artist now.
