Kazune Watanabe

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kazune Watanabe ("KW") 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?

KW : I aspired to pursue a career in design during my high school years. I kept drawing continuously until the principles of sketching and design became ingrained in me, and even now, this experience proves to be the most valuable. Afterward, I studied at a prestigious institution called Kuwasawa Design School, and after graduating, I had the privilege of apprenticing under Mr. Tsuyokatsu Kudo, with the intention of being involved in typography and editorial design.

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

KW : I became a designer because the field of design appeared incredibly glamorous to me. Each designer presented unique designs, and I was fascinated by the thought process behind them.

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

KW : I chose to become a designer on my own.

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

KW : I design a wide range of things that involve the use of typography, such as posters, books, spaces, and websites. I would like to expand my work beyond Japan and explore different ways of designing.

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

KW : They should start by thoroughly learning the fundamentals of design. Regardless of the genre, it's important for them to immerse themselves in the perspective of the creators when looking at things and works they encounter in their daily lives. By considering the intentions behind their creation and what sets them apart, they can make a difference. Furthermore, it's crucial for them to have a holistic view of themselves and recognize what they lack and what they need to improve. Understanding what they need to think about and do in order to fill those gaps is also essential.

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

KW : I think the difference lies in their ability to digest what is being demanded and effectively convey the power and passion to respond to it.

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

KW : It is whether it effectively represents the "now" of the object.

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

KW : I believe that good design is created by considering various elements. Investing in good design can be seen as a way of expressing agreement with those ideas.

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

KW : I would like to engage in the process of delving deeper into design for our own company, for ourselves.

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

KW : Firstly, I would like to initiate a project within a scale that can be accomplished with the company as a whole. However, ultimately, I aim to move towards projects on a larger scale.

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

KW : I believe it is the process of contemplating what is different between the past and the present, and how things will change in the future.

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

KW : I don't have just one person that I can single out.

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

KW : I consider Kuwasawa Design School 2022 Guidebook I submitted to A' Design Award this time to be my best design. I believe it has the finest craftsmanship, from the value of the materials to the attention given to even the smallest details.

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

KW : I believe that the key to becoming a better designer lies in how deeply you can incorporate your leisure activities into your design work, making them a part of your own identity.

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

KW : I think I would be involved in gambling as a profession. I am intrigued by the idea of figuring out the rules for winning through actions, perspectives, and thoughts. From an outsider's perspective, it may seem like everyone is doing the same thing, but in reality, they may be doing completely different things, and I find that fascinating. Design is similar in that even though we may be looking at the same things, each person sees different aspects and approaches them with different thoughts. It is because of these differences in perception and thinking that I believe design can be pursued as a profession.

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

KW : I believe that design is about creating the future from the present.

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

KW : It's my family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KW : The wisdom of previous generations, including numerous creators and literary figures.

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

KW : One obstacle was realizing that design encompasses important aspects beyond just design itself. Having focused solely on studying design until now, I had many areas that I struggled with before gaining awareness and being able to embody those aspects.

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

KW : I believe it is important not to create with the mindset of it being solely your own.

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

KW : I plan to pursue projects that further develop the expressions for which I received the award this time. I believe they will be something that can excite people on a global scale, so please look forward to it.

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

KW : My ultimate goal as a designer is to be recognized as cool or admirable by my family and colleagues.

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

KW : I believe people expect a designer to be like a relay. The wisdom of the predecessors is something that cannot be achieved without their guidance, and it is the act of creating and connecting the best possible future that we can contribute to the future ahead.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KW : By being conscious of what is beneficial for the future and engaging in the creation of things with that awareness, I believe design can play a role, big or small, in shaping the path ahead.

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

KW : I am particularly excited about the opportunity for the expression that received this award to further develop and grow.

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

KW : Kuwasawa Design School 2022 Guidebook, which is the project that received this award. The reason is that it not only received numerous awards but also excited many people who saw it.

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

KW : If there is an outdated system, I would like to see it completely revamped. I believe that staying the same for 5 or 10 years is not acceptable.

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

KW : It depends on the project. Generally, from concept to final output, it may take around 2 weeks to 1 month.

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

KW : I start by considering how to approach the problem and whether the solution I come up with is truly interesting.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KW : To see things through to the end.

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

KW : I believe it's a combination of both.

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

KW : I believe it is one of the factors to consider when thinking about the present and the future.

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

KW : I use Adobe CC, specifically Indesign and Illustrator.

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

KW : Colors, materials, and atmosphere can be articulated and serve as the criteria for an object. I believe they should be decided based on rationality rather than just relying on intuition.

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

KW : I would like people to ask to see more of my work and inquire about when they can expect new creations.

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

KW : I consider them as a benchmark or baseline for the quality of my future works.

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

KW : Katsuhiro Otomo

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

KW : Katsuhiro Otomo "AKIRA"

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

KW : Through daily work, thinking, and finding solutions.

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

KW : I like colors such as gold, silver, fluorescent, and sparkling ones that children would enjoy.

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

KW : There was a time when I wanted to know how products were made, so I dismantled them. I had a dangerous experience with electricity. (I nearly died a few times.)

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

KW : I'm inherently lazy, so I often push myself by taking on some kind of work.

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

KW : No, I didn't have any idea.

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

KW : A thousand years in the future is too vast to easily imagine, but I appreciate works that are thoroughly discussed, assembled, and depict imagined futures. I also constantly think about it and want to contemplate it myself. I approach it by thinking about the near future—1 year, 5 years, 10 years—from different perspectives.

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

KW : I have plans to unveil new works at an exhibition this year. I will be announcing it on social media (Instagram/Twitter), so please be sure to check it out.