OTAKA NORIKO

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer OTAKA NORIKO ("ON") 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?

ON : I graduated from Musashino Art University with a specialization in Graphic Design. My design experience includes creating fashion accessories and interior items.

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

ON : As a student, I was interested in architecture, but I was drawn to the freedom of creating spaces without being bound by client requests. I wanted to design my own spaces and arrange objects within them, which led me to pursue a career in design.

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

ON : I chose this career because it's my own will.

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

ON : I have primarily been designing fashion items using natural materials, focusing on their unique textures and properties. Moving forward, I aim to create designs that not only make the most of these materials’ characteristics but also ensure that every part is utilized without waste. Additionally, I am committed to pursuing design approaches that prioritize environmental sustainability.

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

ON : I believe age doesn’t matter. What’s important is to stay curious about a wide range of things, make an effort to learn, broaden your perspective, listen openly to others, think deeply, and continue taking action.

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

ON : I believe that the value of design is not just economic value, but also involves a variety of other elements, including social and cultural factors.

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

ON : Japan is currently an aging society. I would like to design things that people can think about in their daily lives to improve their quality of life. If I have time...

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

ON : I am interested in many things, make an effort to learn, broaden my horizons, listen to others attentively, think deeply, and continue to act.

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

ON : In this world,myself.

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

ON : I'm currently working on a project with my colleagues. It's a fun project that involves people and I'm looking forward to it.

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

ON : One such example is the cypress paper holder that won the A' Design Award & Competition. I am very pleased with the design, which incorporates traditional Japanese techniques and was created together with artisans.

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

ON : "The evolution and transformation brought about by the age of AI are poised to create unprecedented changes in our lives and society. These changes will progress at a pace and scale beyond imagination, intertwining various elements in complex ways as we move toward the future. In such a time, I hope that design will continue to stay close to people, cherishing humanity and fostering connections that truly matter.

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

ON : Inspiration and research

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

ON : Case by case

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

ON : Helping to expand creativity, evolving product production, and time performance

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

ON : Beyond that

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

ON : Various people

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

ON : When I was a child, I wanted to be a musical star and express something through my body.