Takuya Saeki

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Takuya Saeki ("TS") 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?

TS : As of 2024, I have been a graphic designer for 22 years. I have been working as a company employee for 10 years and as a freelancer for 12 years. After graduating from high school, I studied about graphic designers at a technical school.

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

TS : Ever since I was a child, I have always found flyers and posters difficult to understand. For example, the wording was not consistent, or important information was not written. I thought, "I should have done it better this way. I also liked drawing comics and pictures. After graduating from high school, I studied abroad and tried to become a professional soccer player, but was unsuccessful. After that, when I was thinking about it in agony, I had a cousin who was a designer, and when I heard about it, it sounded interesting. So I became interested and enrolled in a graphic design school to study design.

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

TS : I chose to become a designer.

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

TS : I am a graphic designer. I create UI/UX for advertisements, websites, and smartphone applications. I often create graphic designs related to internet-related businesses and new businesses.

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

TS : Please make a lot of them. By making them, you will learn how difficult it is to make them. Don't be satisfied with just the information on the screen, but actually go there and experience the works, concerts, and trips. There are many things and experiences that you will not understand unless you go to the field. Keep trying. It is difficult to keep going, but your value will increase if you keep going. Don't do nothing at all, but keep going, even if it's just a little bit. Your efforts will definitely pay off.

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

TS : I believe that what is produced is used without any explanation from anyone, or that what is described on paper or screen is understood and used. It would be even better if the design is aesthetically pleasing.

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

TS : I don't think there is anything man-made that is not designed. Just as we seek good taste and satisfaction in food and eating, I think it is only natural that people seek superior design and design in the things they use themselves.

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

TS : We would like to eventually design everything related to the airline. Starting with the airline's logo, website, smartphone app for reservations, various uniforms, service counters, seats inside passenger aircraft, etc. It may not be realistic to design everything related to the airline in question, but I am very interested. Even if I don't get the commission, I would like to produce it during my retirement.

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

TS : I kept seeing "good things." At the entrance ceremony of a graphic design school, the principal of the school at that time told us that we should keep looking at beautiful and excellent things. He said, "Keep looking at beautiful and excellent things. I think this means that what you experience and experience will always be your food. Therefore, I try to use and choose things that have excellent design and are beautiful in my daily life. I also have the ability to verbalize my thoughts. In graphic design production, there are many opportunities to explain the intention and reason for production. I think it is necessary to have the ability to explain in such cases and to smoothly explain the intention behind the choice of expression. Reading is effective for this purpose.

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

TS : Kashiwa Sato https://kashiwasato.com/ Yugo Nakamura https://tha.jp/

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

TS : I like Kashiwa Sato's works in general.

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

TS : Please make a lot of them. By making them, you will learn how difficult it is to make them. Don't be satisfied with just the information on the screen, but actually go there and experience the works, concerts, and trips. There are many things and experiences that you will not understand unless you go to the field. Keep trying. It is difficult to keep going, but your value will increase if you keep going. Don't do nothing at all, but keep going, even if it's just a little bit. Your efforts will definitely pay off.

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

TS : I don't know, I have never imagined it. I'm glad I became a graphic designer and can't think of any other profession I'd rather be in.

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

TS : One means to solve problems, achieve objectives, and realize visions.

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

TS : All the people who have been involved with me. Clients, wives, family, friends, soccer team members...the list goes on and on.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TS : I think that's what I answered in #11.

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

TS : This is what I answered in #9.

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

TS : I am still not an excellent graphic designer, so I will continue to work hard to become an excellent graphic designer.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TS : I don't think there is anything man-made that is not designed. Just as we seek good taste and satisfaction in food and eating, I think it is only natural that people seek superior design and design in the things they use themselves.

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

TS : This is a management support and sales improvement iPad app for beauty salons in Japan, released in April 2024. The total size of the app was about 100 to 150 screens, and we read the text provided by the client on how the app would be used. Based on the text, we studied the elements on the still blank screens, created wireframes, built a design system, and reflected the design system. It took a total of nine months to complete the project, which was quite a long time, but we were able to complete it successfully. I was also in charge of creating the logo for the service, which was carried out by a total of five people, including a freelance designer. I was also in charge of design direction.

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

TS : Although it seems to be a manufacturing industry, I would like to see the concept of front-loading permeate the market.

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

TS : 依頼者へのヒアリングと依頼物に求める効果や結果。

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TS : Execution, action, going to see the site

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

TS : I think it will change with the times, but it is only one tool or means to realize people's ingenuity with tools, so we should learn the necessary techniques and tools from time to time.

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

TS : Mainly Adobe products and Figma.

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

TS : We anticipate the origin of the idea and how it came to take shape.

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

TS : In the mornings, we see and learn about design and a variety of information, as well as progress with thought-provoking content. In the afternoon, I work on production, meetings, and other tasks that require instantaneous judgment. I try to get plenty of sleep.

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

TS : I would like to take a class at Bauhaus in Germany.

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

TS : White, blue, pink, orange / I like Shibuya / I like Miso soup / Early summer, early winter

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

TS : I used to make promotional brochures for my company when I was a company employee. There were several people who purchased products through those pamphlets, including friends from my school days and friends I met at bars. Of course, each of them did not know each other.

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

TS : What motivates me is to listen to music and start operating my PC or Mac anyway.

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

TS : I don't think about it at all because it's not worth thinking about.

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

TS : You can check this website for more information about me if you like. https://www.smoothandfriendly.com/en