KiyokaYamazuki

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer 　KiyokaYamazuki ("　KiyokaYamazuki") 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?

　KiyokaYamazuki : In 1976, I studied design for two years at Inazawa Women's Junior College, Department of Design.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I am not a designer. Freelance illustrator. I studied under a certain illustrator and became an illustrator who longed to draw.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I chose to become an illustrator.

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

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

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I am currently teaching design at a vocational school. Young people should not be afraid of anything, see and absorb various things, and work on design. I want you to be greedy.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : The difference is that I have the spirit to challenge without giving up and I have the ability to continue

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : It's kind to the earth and people, and it's been loved for a long time. Also nothing wasted. I think that excellent designs are found in nature (plants, insects, etc.) rather than things that people think of.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : think that the value of good design is that it is friendly to people and the earth, and that everyone can say it is good. If the design is useful for someone, investment is also necessary.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : If I have time, I would like to design my own garden. Also, since it is not easy to use, I would like to design something that is easy to handle, such as a lawn mower.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Most dreams don't come true. I'm in the middle of my dream.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I don't think I would tell anyone if I had the secret recipe for design success. I don't know for sure, but if I were to force it, would it be to not give up? I think the secret ingredient is near me.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Old buildings such as shrines and temples, colors and designs. Also, the fun of the shape of the Buddha statue, the fang design

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I believe that the best designs are found in nature, not in man-made objects. Because humans can't do it. Also, it becomes the motif of the illustration.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I'm not a designer, but I think the best way to improve is to set goals and never give up.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I'm a designer and I don't have a picture. I'm an illustrator now.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Design to make things easier to use, easier to understand, and more convenient

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : The people who asked me to work, myself, and the judges who gave me the award

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

　KiyokaYamazuki : I'm not a great designer. I'm an illustrator who likes to draw

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I have not become a design master. I'm on my way. Right now, I'm having a hard time with the language barrier.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : First of all, I think that it should be expressed to the user that it is easy to use, easy to read, and safe.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Nothing has been decided. As an illustrator (demo as a painter), I would like to hold a solo exhibition overseas.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : sorry. I am not a designer, so I would like to hold a solo exhibition overseas as an illustrator.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I don't know what to expect. Just answer what is asked.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

　KiyokaYamazuki : In order to realize a better society, we will think and design things that are good not only for people, but also for nature, the earth, and the universe.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : The garden of my house and the design of the field.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : It's not design, but it's my first job as an illustrator. It was a campaign poster for JR Tottori and Shimane in Japan. I remember making free and fun illustrations with a fictitious animal (Yamata no Orochi) as a motif.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : It could be the universe, the environment, or something closer to people.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I can't say how many hours, as I think it depends on the size of the design project. It may take a week or two, or it may take years. By the way, I have never been involved in such a long project.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I will start with communication. where is the problem? what's important Isn't it from a meeting?

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

　KiyokaYamazuki : I am not a designer. I'm an illustrator. But I think we have something in common. Perseverance and strength to continue.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : If it were true, I would like to decide the trend of the design, but it seems that the trend decides the design. Is design powerless?

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I think it's good that anyone can now create a uniform design. On the other hand, the originality seems to have faded. I feel like (there are more boring things).

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : The basic illustration work is hand-drawn I also use Mac OS 13.4/ Ipad.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I think it's important. With graphics, colors, materials, images, etc., bring about the effect of conveying (findability, readability, what you want to convey at the moment).

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Nothing in particular. As an illustrator, is illustration effective for design? I want to hear.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : If it's wonderful, I'll pick it up and I think I'll want it.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : My ideal design partner would be someone who understands me well and can talk to me, but unfortunately I haven't met him yet.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : These are the illustrators who taught me illustrations.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : As an illustrator, rather than as a designer, I was influenced by books on Celtic patterns, African patterns, and Japanese patterns.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Not a master designer. The skill of an illustrator is to draw illustrations many times.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I'm a little tired of this question now. I want some silence for a while. If you can meet and talk to someone... I still don't feel like it.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I haven't received many awards or evaluations, so I don't know. Being famous is very difficult. (because of the language barrier)

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : My favorite colors are: Bengara, indigo, bright green (like Japanese colors) Place: New York, Morning walk course, Food: Beans, Vegetables such as sSweet potatoes. The season is Early Summer. The brand used to be Issey Miyake's clothes

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I am an illustrator, and the most interesting thing that I have experienced as an illustrator is this year's first group exhibition (together with two teachers who taught me illustration) at my gallery.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : try to live a regular life every day. I want to get enough sleep, exercise moderately, change my mood, and take care of my health. I want to go at my own pace.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I don't know what will happen in a thousand years. If possible, I would still like to wake up to birdsong in the morning, and hear frogs in the rice field even after 1000 years. I hope nature will still be abundant in 1000 years.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Nothing in particular. If I have fans, I want them to see more of my illustrations.