KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer 　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 ("　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香") 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : Sorry I'm not a designer. I chose to be an illustrator.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : I'm not a designer. I'm an illustrator. I want to create unique illustrations that are different from others. Illustrations that are my own style.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : A good designer is someone who can meet the demands of the market, and a great designer is someone who can provide more than that. I think both are people who have the spirit to take on challenges and the ability to continue.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : If I had the time, I would like to design my own garden. Also, since it's hard to use, I would like to design something that is easy to use, like a lawnmower. As I said before, I'm always pressed for time. Right now, I want to create more of my own work.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : Right now I feel like I want to create my own artwork to my heart's content as long as time allows. At the moment I'm so busy with daily chores that I don't have time to create artwork. I'm also in the middle of thinking about the theme of my artwork. I will let you know once I've decided.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : I don't really know what the secret is to succeed in design. I think the only thing for sure is whether you can satisfy people who are looking for design. If I had to say, I guess it's to pursue that goal and never give up. Isn't that the secret?

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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 are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : Patterns used in the Kofun period, patterns on African tools, Celtic patterns, etc. I am drawn to designs that were born from the lives of ordinary people.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : We want to make the design easy to use, understand, and use. And also emotionally nourishing.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : The people who commissioned me to work, myself, and the judges who awarded me the award - the people who like (support) my paintings have helped me the most.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : I'm not a great designer. I'm just an illustrator who loves to draw. I'm still a developing illustrator.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : Sorry. I'm not a designer, so I'd like to have a solo exhibition overseas as an illustrator. Or rather, I feel that I want to continue creating works that are unique to me.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : I'm not a designer. I'm certainly not a respected designer. If there's one thing I expect from the designers I respect, it's that they use their skills for the benefit of everyone. Is that what I would say?

DL: How does design help create a better society?

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : In order to create a better society, I would like people to think about 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　　山附貴世香 : Previously, I would answer that I wanted to design my family's garden and fields, but now I'm busy with daily chores. If I had to say, I would like to design my own time and create more artworks.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : The design industry is currently in a state of transition. With the spread of personal computers and AI, anyone can easily create something that resembles a design. However, what is better design, and what should it be? Is it a design that is good for people, the earth, and the universe? Isn't it time to reconsider this?

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : While the internet has brought the world closer, it also seems like people are feeling a sense of loneliness. Will the field of design also become borderless and operate on a global scale? (For better or worse)

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : Let's start with communication. What is the problem? What is important? What is the goal? Doesn't that start with the meeting?

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : I think it's a good thing that anyone can now create designs with a consistent look. On the other hand, I feel like originality is fading. I feel like there are more and more boring designs. The role of technology has gradually become more familiar. I think it is helping to make work more efficient and save costs, but on the other hand, it doesn't mean that good designs are being created.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : I'm an illustrator. What questions would you like me to ask you about my illustrations? Nothing in particular. If I had to say, is this illustration suitable for this design? Do you like it or not

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : These are the illustrators who taught me illustrations.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : Could it be illustrator Shiro Nishiguchi, who taught me the basics of illustration? Unfortunately, he passed away last year. I'm sure he would say, as always, "Let's create something! Let's draw!"

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : I don't really know because I haven't received many awards or recognition. It's very hard to become famous. Opportunities are hard to come by.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : 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　　山附貴世香 : I am an illustrator, and the most interesting experience I have had as an illustrator was in July 2022, I had my first group exhibition at my gallery (with two of my illustration teachers).

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : I try to lead a regular life every day. I get enough sleep, exercise moderately, change my mood, pay attention to my health, and live at my own pace. If possible, I'd like to have a little more time for myself.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki　　山附貴世香 : We don't know what will happen in 1000 years. If possible, I hope that 1000 years from now we will still be waking up to the sound of birds in the morning and hearing the sound of frogs croaking in the rice fields. I hope that nature will continue to be abundant in 1000 years from now.

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

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