JP SPACE Studio

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer JP SPACE Studio ("JSS") 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?

JSS : I was fascinated by drawings since I was a child and majored in art at junior high and senior high school. However, I gradually found out that such set art form wasn’t my passion. I began to learn illustrations and majored in visual communication design in university then fell in love the process of making stories alive.

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

JSS : My passion for delivering stories and emotions through drawings.

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

JSS : I chose to be a designer and I really love to challenge myself on how to tell a good story.

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

JSS : Basically, there’s no set form or any limitations for me to design. I am willing to try to create on my own as long as it’s proposed by the clients.

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

JSS : Have your own daily routine, have a regular life but keep extra time for sudden changes. Feel and observe every moment of life, and make analyzing a habit. Don’t start your work from first coming up visual appearances but change the story into words when work with clients.

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

JSS : I think it’s the ability of telling a good story, and the ability of making stories alive.

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

JSS : Amplify the tiniest thing to complete the whole project.

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

JSS : A good design will influence viewers and it goes beyond the brand value.

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

JSS : I would design the one I love and which tells a story that has good meanings.

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

JSS : Make a long animated movie which conveys a story that I want has always been my dream.

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

JSS : Live a regular life, have a reliable team and try to observe people and things around me.

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

JSS : Kon Satoshi and Miyazaki Hayao.

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

JSS : If there needs to be an answer, I would say animated movie. Like Kon Satoshi or Miyazaki Hayao, I am deeply moved by how they tell a story. They have given me a lot of inspirations and thoughts, no matter it’s narrative of dreams, virtual or for my creativity.

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

JSS : I would say it’s “Chick Coin”. We had a great time working together and tried to come up with different funny ideas during the project.

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

JSS : To observe and to analyze. Observe tiny things and feel the feelings then analyze them and convert them into your own thoughts.

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

JSS : Probably jobs also require the ability to tell a good story. Maybe a marketing specialist or a salesperson.

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

JSS : To me,”design” is a form to deliver information, whether it is through a simple or a continuous image. A good design is to create a charming narrative while meeting client’s needs at the same time.

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

JSS : Being trusted and supported by my family, partner and my team.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JSS : Never feel as a great designer.

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

JSS : I would say self-reflection. I am still learning of how to lead the team to make the best project.

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

JSS : Feel free and be confident to share their works through social media, and the idea or the story behind them.

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

JSS : I will continue to improve my storytelling ability and try to use different kinds of media in the future. For now, what I want to try the most is the combination of film with VFX or motion graphics, and having the opportunity to create amazing results once again.

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

JSS : Make a long animated movie which conveys a story that I want has always been my dream.

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

JSS : I think people expect me to tell more about the working experience, which helps each grow. I started to teach in universities recently because of this.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JSS : Bringing kindness, positive vibe and reflection to the world. I hope that I could use such a medium make the world a little bit kinder.

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

JSS : Every new project or new opportunity makes me feel excited for I can challenge myself once again.

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

JSS : I would say it’s “Chick Coin”. We had a great time working together and tried to come up with different funny ideas during the project.

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

JSS : More and more people values the essence and the narrative itself, which is the origin of filming.

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

JSS : People are now paying more attention to visual charm and pursuing for short-length film instead of the main idea and the story itself. What really caught people’s eyes are those value the both. I believe in the future that people will value the essence of content rather than showing off skills.

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

JSS : Basically one and a half month. When it is a bigger project, it may take three to four months.

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

JSS : Understand what client needs at first and choose a medium form what fits the best. Then, tell a charming story. After establishing the main fracture, make story board, style frame, film, motion design, BGM and VO fit the title well.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JSS : Be kind, be gentle and be mild towards everything.

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

JSS : If the design sets much earlier than the trend, it will not be accepted by the public. And it won’t be able to deliver stories as it should. On the other hand, if the trend sets the design, it would make the design cliche. There are no set rules but it’s about what can be accepted and conveys the right message to the public.

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

JSS : Simply tells a good story by using visual and auditory skills without over explaining.

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

JSS : I use Keynote most of the time. A good work must be built on accurate, good planning and nice communication with customers or the team. I often summarize my idea through words. In this way, I’m able to change my imagination then visualize them into words and complete scripts with the team. Also, have a big screen. It would be better if there’re two monitors.

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

JSS : Amplify and deliver feelings. Since they are abstract and invisible, so we must use visual design to combine different elements to better convey the message.

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

JSS : "How it is made?” “What it has been through?” “How to revise it for better instead of digression?”

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

JSS : I would think about how much people have done to complete it, whether it’s about life experience, or any ideas.

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

JSS : Teamwork will lead to greater project. Kindness, trust, communication and support each others are the conditions that I think are indispensable.

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

JSS : If there needs to be an answer, I would say animated movie. Like Kon Satoshi or Miyazaki Hayao, I am deeply moved by how they tell a story. They have given me a lot of inspirations and thoughts, no matter it’s narrative of dreams, virtual or for my creativity.

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

JSS : L’Étranger by Albert Camus, which teaches me about there are also many gray areas.

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

JSS : Most of my inspiration comes from animated films and video games. Those stories always attract me and become indispensable parts of my life. But I guess many things just go with the flow, even inspiration.

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

JSS : I would love to meet Miyazaki Hayao in person. I am still fascinated by his works now. I want to learn about his life experience, production process and state of mind while making those famous movies.

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

JSS : I’m really thankful to be given all these awards. They’re precious to me and my team, and we believe it’s just a beginning.

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

JSS : Silver, Japan, boba milk tea, fall, to create something and JP SPACE Studio.

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

JSS : There were many funny and ridiculous things me and my brother did when we were children. Since they were all too ridiculous, I won’t go into the details.

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

JSS : I enjoyed using drawing to express my feelings since I was a child, and found out that others would be moved by this. In this way, I, who am not good at words, can tell the story through the picture. Then it slowly developed into motion graphics, hoping to show myself.

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

JSS : In fact, I have been lack of self-confidence but love to create since I was a child. I never felt that I’m a great designer.

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

JSS : Humans would travel around the universe and fight with the evil aliens for wisdom, kindness and perseverance. Language isn’t the point, but it’s about communicating with other through invisible feelings.

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

JSS : Come and get to know JP SPACE Studio through our official website or fan page!