Kimio Fukutani

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kimio Fukutani ("KF") 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?

KF : I don't have a bachelor's degree in design. I started working at a jewelry workshop in London. After that, I learned by myself and became a designer. After that, I learned about diamonds under a jewelry polisher"

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

KF : This is because I can impress and make people happy with the jewelry I designed.

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

KF : I chose to be a designer.

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

KF : Design jewelry. I also want to take on the challenge of designing luxury fashion items by making use of other jewelry materials.

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

KF : I think it is important to keep doing it without giving up.

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

KF : I think it's the difference between belief and non-belief.

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

KF : Design without compromise and without deception. It is important to be able to be proud of our customers.

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

KF : A design that is full of originality, not an ordinary design.

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

KF : If I have time, I want to design luxury jewelry items that blend in with street fashion.

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

KF : First of all, we were able to open a boutique in the center of Tokyo, so we plan to expand into the United States by the end of this year.

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

KF : Do not give up and keep doing

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

KF : I think all the high jewelry brands in the world are beautiful and wonderful.

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

KF : Pop art such as Andy Warhol created an era with new techniques.

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

KF : "One wedding ring in the world that we make while talking to our customers. We think about the design from the story of the two of us, so we make it. Because you can feel the joy of our customers in a real way.

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

KF : There is no end to the design. I just think and express it.

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

KF : I should be working with people.

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

KF : "Design is a visible expression of the thoughts of others, From the beginning, it can be said that the answer to customers and an unspecified number of people is in the form, and in the case of design, it is premised that everyone can intuitively understand the answer. "

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

KF : Co-founder of our president

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KF : Advice from a London jewelry workshop and seniors who I'm always going on with.

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

KF : Instead of spending time on design, thinking about selling first, I spent time on other promotions.

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

KF : Create a design that I can think of myself and tell a story about my design

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

KF : Participated in the last auction of pink diamonds at the Argyle Mine, which closed in 2020, I was able to make a successful bid for two Argyle Tenders, so I used that rare pink diamond. Making jewelry.

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

KF : Establishing Japan's first world-class jewelry brand by letting people all over the world know about my brand and myself

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

KF : A new expression of jewelry.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KF : You can make people happy with a good design.

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

KF : Participated in the last auction of pink diamonds at the Argyle Mine, which closed in 2020, I was able to make a successful bid for two Argyle Tenders, so I used that rare pink diamond. Making jewelry.

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

KF : A'Design Award and Competition I participated in the contest for the first time and learned a lot.

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

KF : I want to challenge and discover new possibilities, not a design that takes an average value.

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

KF : NFT, Metaverse, etc.

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

KF : It takes at least half a year.

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

KF : Think from the story.

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

KF : I think design determines the trend.

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

KF : You can shorten the design time.

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

KF : Illustrator photoshop

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

KF : Without it, the design would not be possible in me.

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

KF : Why did you get this design?

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

KF : It can be used as a reference and used in my own new design.

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

KF : I'm the type I want to design myself.

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

KF : People with different occupations but successful in various fields

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

KF : Nothing in particular.

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

KF : Investigate until you thoroughly understand what I don't understand.

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

KF : Family, friends, top jewelry designers

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

KF : I have never won an award.

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

KF : My favorite color is black, my favorite food is sushi, my favorite season is summer, my favorite thing is light, My favorite place is the plateau, my favorite brand is ISSEI MIYAKE

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

KF : When the jewelry I made because I thought it would sell didn't sell at all.

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

KF : An environment where I can design freely. Because I'm free, I can be prepared and immerse yourself in the design.

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

KF : No, I didn't expect to be a designer.

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

KF : The world has changed dramatically in the last few decades. I can't imagine 1000 years later.

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

KF : I design jewelry with a story, so I sympathize with that story and design jewelry. If you wear it, you will feel not only fashion but also more value in jewelry.