Mizuho Suzuki

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mizuho Suzuki ("MS") 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?

MS : I learned most about design not at school but at the first packaging design studio I worked at, where I learned processes and ways of thinking while on the job.

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

MS : I've always enjoyed imagining things around me and thinking, "It would be better if they were like this." I wanted to become a designer, not just to imagine, but to make them a reality.

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

MS : I wanted to be a designer.

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

MS : Logos, flyers and other graphics

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

MS : I think it's important to keep making things without giving up.

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

MS : A great designer is someone who can not only provide good designs but also suggest new ideas.

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

MS : It fits the atmosphere of the times.

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

MS : It can help you improve your brand image and sales.

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

MS : Original patterns and templates. I believe that there is someone out there who will like them.

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

MS : Creating my own home to make designing more enjoyable

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

MS : Having acquaintances who appreciate and like my designs.

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

MS : Paul Rand

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

MS : NASA Worm Logo: This is the piece that made me realize logos were cool when I was a kid.

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

MS : Traditional Japanese family crests. They have continued to exist without fading even after many years.

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

MS : Observe designs that you think are good or not so good, and keep thinking about what you think is good about them and what you need to fix to make them better. However, everyone has different tastes. I try not to lose my humility because I'm not always right.

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

MS : I would like to be involved in design in some way, like working at a select shop.

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

MS : Something that makes life convenient and enriches it.The joy of life.

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

MS : The agency's producers, sales staff, and other team members involved in the work.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MS : The Japanese proverb "Persistence is power" came to mind.

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

MS : The mannerism of my own designs.

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

MS : In my case, I usually cannot publish my client work due to confidentiality agreements, so I think it's better to create and publish private work.

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

MS : Although I cannot confirm this myself, my goal is to create a logo or design that will last for over 100 years.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MS : It helps you organize a chaotic world and create a comfortable environment.

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

MS : Generative AI is causing copyright infringement of creators' copyrights, and I hope a good solution can be found.

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

MS : For logos, 1-2 months

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

MS : Competitor research

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MS : Enjoying everyday life

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

MS : I think design and trends are intertwined.

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

MS : It saves time. Sometimes it gives me inspiration.

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

MS : Adobe CC, Desktop PC, iPad

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

MS : I wonder what kind of people were involved in making it.

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

MS : I don't have an ideal design partner, but I do believe in co-design.

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

MS : The person who had the biggest influence on me was the chief of the design studio where I first worked.

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

MS : Kenya Hara

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

MS : A friend in the design industry who I hardly ever get a chance to meet.

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

MS : I was very honored to receive the award at a time when I had lost confidence in myself.

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

MS : White and red, places with sunlight filtering through the trees, sushi, early summer, ceramic objects,MUJI

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

MS : When I was just starting out as a designer, my aunt, who loves fashionable things, brought back a package of sweets that I designed as a souvenir. I was so thrilled that she chose the product without even knowing anything about it.

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

MS : Get plenty of sleep.

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

MS : I wanted to be a designer, but I never thought about it that far.

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

MS : I'm pessimistic about the global environment. I hope global warming doesn't get any worse. Maybe in 1,000 years, we'll be able to migrate to other planets? It seems like the design will evolve to a cosmic scale.