Tsuyoshi Omori

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tsuyoshi Omori ("TO") 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?

TO : I am a self-taught designer. I’ve learned everything about design through work and I think I’m still in the middle of the learning process.

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

TO : I became a designer because I wanted to give a shape to my inspirations. The fact that some of my amateur creation were really appreciated by others motivated me to design.

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

TO : It was my own choice.

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

TO : I mainly design posters, books, CI/VI, packages and web.

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

TO : They should create more than several test designs.

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

TO : A good designer is functional and pass necessary information to users in a quick and appropriate way. In addition to that, a great designer is more emotional and can enrich user’s life.

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

TO : I strongly believe that a good design is something unique and minimum (removing all unnecessary things).

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

TO : I believe that good designs allow us to make tomorrow better, and what is more, to change the world. That’s why people should invest in creating good design in general.


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

TO : I would like to invest my time for someone who respect and embrace my ideas or design.

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

TO : I have no idea.

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

TO : I’ve got inspired by two people especially, my senior in my university and the CEO at my previous company.

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

TO : I admire Hideki Nakajima and Hideki Inaba.

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

TO : The key is to believe in oneself, keep designing, and have a challenging spirit and capacity for that.

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

TO : I would have become a calligrapher or a teacher (mathematics or Japanese, I guess).

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

TO : Design should be functional and emotional. Design should have a beautiful style. Design should be unique.

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

TO : The CEO at my previous company helped me a lot in pursuing my career.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TO : I have stuck to carry out what I envisioned. Additionally, I consider myself very lucky to have met great clients.

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

TO : I think the obstacle in that sense was myself.


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

TO : I think designers should present their works to those who are not designers.

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

TO : I am currently working on the public relations activity for NPO who is aiming for the registration of the Hansen’s Disease Hospitals in Japan on the World Heritage List.

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

TO : They can expect a sense of humor and an ability to solve various business problems through designing.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TO : Design can create a better society through bringing an awareness to people and stimulating their curiosity.

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

TO : I am challenging on a mission whether designing can help bring a society that is free from prejudice and discrimination.

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

TO : I would like to see the media featuring design works would be more diversified. Also, I expect the working environment for designers would be improved.

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

TO : I believe the demand for design will increase in all fields.

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

TO : It depends.

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

TO : I start a new project by meeting with the client.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TO : My motto is getting through a mission until I accomplish it.

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

TO : I think it is on a case-by-case basis.

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

TO : Technology serves as a means of giving a concrete shape to ideas.

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

TO : I use Apple’s iMac, Adobe Illustrator CC and Adobe Photoshop CC.

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

TO : They play an essential role in differentiating designs.

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

TO : Actually, as long as people get interested in my design, any type of questions are very much welcomed!

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

TO : I feel astonished first, and right after that, I often feel envious in my mind.

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

TO : I don’t have a design partner right now, but when necessary, I always get help from many specialists in each field.

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

TO : The CEO at my previous company

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

TO : I was greatly influenced by the books, such as “Divine Proportion” by Priya Hemenway, “Da cosa nasce cosa” by Bruno Funari and “RE DESIGN” by Kenya Hara.


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

TO : I have been trying not to give up being creative and get through goals whatever the circumstance, which I believe helped develop my skills.

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

TO : I would like to meet with the deceased Mr.Korin Ogata, Japanese painter and designer of the Rinka School as well as my ancestors. Korin Ogata （Japanese painter, lacquerer and designer of the Rinpa school）

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

TO : I am pretty happy about the awards I have received. I consider such awards and recognition provide means for me to meet new clients or design opportunities, rather than just becoming famous, which I know is not easy especially in this field.

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

TO : My favorite colors are black, white and turquoise blue. My favorite places are my home and the 21_21 DESIGN SITE（Tokyo). My favorite food is Korean food with beers! My favorite brands are Alexander McQueen and Maison Martin Margiela, just to name a few.

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

TO : Keep getting inspired helps make my day. That’s why I am proactively applying for various design competitions both domestic and international. Watching documentary works of great figures or successful persons helps motivate myself.

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

TO : No, I had never thought about that honestly.

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

TO : I suppose humans will live outside the earth as long as technologies allow us to do so.

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

TO : I would like to meet with people outside Japan who are interested in my design and work with them in a near future.