MURAYAMA INC.

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer MURAYAMA INC. ("MI") 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?

MI : After studying product design at Tama Art University, I joined MURAYAMA INC. as a display designer.

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

MI : I have loved drawing since I was a child. I could look at a flat picture of a product, such as furniture, tableware, or a cartoon character, and imagine and express its three-dimensional shape and the unseen underside of the product. In the same way, I think display design is fun and interesting to show various aspects of objects and people.

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

MI : MURAYAMA INC. has a wide range of business fields. If you have a clear idea of what you want to do, please speak up. For those who want to experience a variety of work, please be aware of finding your own rewarding work. I did not have much knowledge of displays when I joined the company. MURAYAMA INC. has the soil to accept a variety of designers.

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

MI : I often use the ocean. Someday, I would like to participate in activities to clean up the ocean. This is also to protect wild birds, which I cherish. I am looking for a tangible way to work on preserving the natural environment through design. I believe that this will lead to protecting the lives of myself and the people around me.

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

MI : As professionals in space creation, we want to provide visitors with a pleasant experience in the most efficient way possible. That is why we must not forget "Less is More". It is important to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality.

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

MI : I am interested in both traditional Japanese culture and Japanese pop culture. The spirit of Japan can be found in both the traditional Japanese technique of "Mitate" and deformed cartoon character representation. Both are expressed by breaking down elements, simplifying them, and interpreting them in new ways. I use this process as a reference for my designs.

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

MI : Design is my way of connecting with society. Through design, I can help people. It may make someone smile, heal them, or sometimes even connect people to each other. I feel that design has unlimited possibilities.

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

MI : The field of spatial design is rapidly expanding. The new field is virtual reality, an era in which the insubstantial is made visible. Because the value of design is also insubstantial and invisible, the social value of design should be visualized through more essential proposals and concrete solutions.

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

MI : MURAYAMA INC. is a team of professionals who create spaces and communications. Its services include planning, design, supervision, production, and construction of displays for promotion, branding, public relations, cultural / public projects, and entertainment. The creators' policy is to create unique spaces, weave unforgettable stories, and provide novel inspiration. Feeling inspired by the ever-changing world around them, they create novel experiences to inspire others. This has been their policy for 120 years. With finely honed skills and creative points of view, they seek to inspire in new and unique ways.