Takuya Wakizaki

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

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

TW : After studying graphic design at university, I went on the way to advertising design. However, I didn't feel that advertising design was good for people and society, so I moved to a wayfinding design studio to do more useful work for society. First of all, I joined a studio that handles many wayfinding designs for public transportation and thoroughly learned the basics of wayfinding design. After that, I moved to another studio and experienced wayfinding design in many genres such as commercial facilities, educational facilities, hospitals, offices, and training centers. Feeling fully experienced, I founded the current MOTIVE Inc. in 2019.

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

TW : I've always been dissatisfied with something since I was a kid. "Why is this tool so difficult to use?", "Why is this manual so confusing?", "Why aren't any T-shirts so nice?" I didn't like myself, who was always frustrated in my heart. When I was in high school, when I figured out what kind of job I wanted to get in the future, I thought that if I was so dissatisfied with society, I should change it myself, and decided to go on the way of design.

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

TW : I chose to become a designer.

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

TW : Wayfinding System. I wish to design a wayfinding system in various countries and cities.

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

TW : I still don't think I've done anything enough to send advice.

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

TW : I think it depends on how much they have contributed to society.

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

TW : I think it is very difficult to evaluate a good design. I think most design awards rely on photos and videos, but I think the value of a design is determined by how the user feels. So I think it's very difficult to evaluate it.

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

TW : It might be like our dietary choice. If you want to taste delicious food, you need to pay a certain amount. But I don't always want to eat at a fine dining restaurant, and sometimes I want to eat junk food. Each person has their own budget. I think each person should choose what to eat according to their budget and mood at that time.

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

TW : I want to work for a client who likes my design.

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

TW : I'm a fan of FC Barcelona, a Spanish football club, so my dream is to design their stadium.

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

TW : I also want someone to tell me the answer.

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

TW : That's a secret.

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

TW : That's a secret.

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

TW : I worked on this work before the establishment of MOTIVE Inc., but I think the work called ANA Blue Base is my best. I think that the characteristics of the space and the design concept are perfectly fused.

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

TW : I think it's all about working hard.

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

TW : I want to become an educator and raise many children who contribute to society.

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

TW : I think that design is an act of improving something.

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

TW : That is the architects who asked me to work with.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TW : That is also the architects who asked me to work with.

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

TW : I'm not a design master.

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

TW : I'm also worried about how to do that.

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

TW : We are currently working on the design of a laboratory for a pharmaceutical company. I am working hard to do a job that will be evaluated at the World Design Awards again.

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

TW : To contribute to the design of many cities around the world.

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

TW : To contribute to society.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TW : The world is made of design. The clothes, roads and buildings are all designed by someone. In other words, if the design is nice, the world will be nice.

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

TW : Overseas projects are often difficult, but the excitement outweighs them.

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

TW : I worked on this work before the establishment of MOTIVE Inc., but I think the work called ANA Blue Base is my best. I think that the characteristics of the space and the design concept are perfectly fused.

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

TW : Improving the social status of designers.

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

TW : I don't know.

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

TW : In my case, most projects are about two years old.

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

TW : Start by analyzing the architectural space.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TW : To contribute to society.

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

TW : I don't know.

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

TW : Save time and effort.

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

TW : Adobe Illustrator

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

TW : Impact on human emotions.

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

TW : Function and intent.

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

TW : Simple joy.

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

TW : A partner who supports me in the technical aspects that I lack.

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

TW : I don't know.

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

TW : The Design of Everyday Things　- Donald A. Norman -

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

TW : I'm not a design master.

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

TW : I want to meet Edison. I want to learn about his challenging spirit.

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

TW : I need more international awards.

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

TW : I like Barcelona, London and Amsterdam. But all the cities I haven't visited yet, so I'll increase more in the future.

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

TW : It is an interesting experience to be exposed to the ideas of owners in many industries through design.

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

TW : Work hard with the user in mind.

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

TW : No. I couldn't imagine becoming a designer.

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

TW : I have no idea.

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

TW : The possibility of Wayfinding System Design.