Yusuke Kinoshita

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yusuke Kinoshita ("YK") 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?

YK : Have studied in Tokyo, and started my own business in Paris.

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

YK : As designers we really have the ability to shape the world around us, that is really empowering.

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

YK : It happened naturally.

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

YK : Design every scale very diverse projects. We are very happy to have variation and would like to keep it that way.

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

YK : The aim should be to make innovative and successful projects not to become a legend.

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

YK : Someone has good aesthetic is a good designer, and someone who could create in addition a project with meaning is a great designer.

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

YK : Creation with good story telling.

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

YK : Good design improves lives for a better future.

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

YK : Would like to travel more to find the answer.

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

YK : Finding a way to archive all of our background research.

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

YK : Allowing yourself to get lost and search originality in very different directions.

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

YK : I get inspired by everyone and everything not particularly design legends.

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

YK : Everything finding beauty in small things.

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

YK : I feel like every project that we have achieved have brought solutions and depth so they are all great.

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

YK : To be curious and observe everything around you.

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

YK : I don’t know.

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

YK : Determine the problem and solve it by creating a solution in form or space.

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

YK : All those who have believed in me.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

YK : Live as a foreigner.

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

YK : Finalize creations and to meet the deadline for each project is always a big challenge.

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

YK : Not sure, we are always thinking about improving presentations, perhaps clarity is the aim.

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

YK : We are currently designing a restaurant and a library you should expect more storytelling in the future.

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

YK : Find alternative ways of living.

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

YK : To be a problem solver.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YK : Good design can bring people together and has a direct consequence on wellbeing so the good design can improve the world.

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

YK : A new lighting system.

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

YK : En skincare, because the client gave us time to develop the design in depth.

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

YK : More environmentally friendly materials.

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

YK : As our situation today is tough, in every field, hopefully still be relevant.

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

YK : Depend on requirements, ideally as long as possible.

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

YK : Discussion with team and clients.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

YK : To be curious and open.

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

YK : Both equally.

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

YK : It is a tool to save time in order to give more time for reflection, but also strenuous and time-consuming to master…

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

YK : The basic 2D and 3d software.

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

YK : Colour and materials are very important elements in design that can completely modify and ambiance and a design also it connects directly with the individual’s feelings.

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

YK : Anything, we always appreciate people taking an interest in what we do or in design in general.

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

YK : Well, I guess first I am impressed then analyze the product or design to understand it.

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

YK : Yes. We have a good team so am happy with my current partners therefore am convinced in co-design.

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

YK : Internal discussion in the team.

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

YK : The book of tea by tenshin okakura, and in praise of shadows by Junichiro tanizaki.

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

YK : It is still a struggle but I guess by staying open-minded.

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

YK : Leonardo da Vinci, and Sen no Rikyu (the historical figure that influenced the Japanese lifestyle like the tea ceremony).

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

YK : Not changed a lot.

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

YK : Black or white, bathroom, Asian food, spring, etc.

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

YK : Time to time we create the mock-up of installation at the street in front of our office, and the person who passes by considered as guerrilla art and react kindly. Once we have this kind of positive reaction from the public, we can be confident with our design direction.

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

YK : If we could produce something which makes us happy our day is great. Motivate is to keep always productive.

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

YK : I have moved the country when I start to learn talking and back to my country when I start to develop my identity. Probably this experience to be lost and to be curious led me to this design activity.

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

YK : I think history repeats more or less the same flow in different places, with different speed. Probably not changing a lot of human fundamental values, with many references will be created and forgotten.

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

YK : Please contact us with any kind of situation. We are always happy to have a new relationship.