seike hisashi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer seike hisashi ("SH") 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?

SH : I studied interior design at university. During that time, I saw many restaurants and bars designed by designers that were popular. Around the same time, there were many works by architects like Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara, and I visited various buildings.

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

SH : When I was 10 years old, I was praised by my teacher for designing a house layout during a school lesson. At that time, the teacher also told me about a famous architect who shared my surname. It was then that I became aware of the profession involving spatial design. From that moment on, my dream for the future became to be a spatial designer.

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

SH : I naturally decided to pursue this path as if it were the obvious choice.

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

SH : I design restaurants, bars, retail stores, and offices. I aspire to design hotels.

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

SH : I believe it is important to travel to various places, see things, and meet different people.

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

SH : I consider it crucial to deeply understand and express the background and purpose of the usage.

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

SH : I believe it's not just about surface appeal, but also about controlling the flow of air.

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

SH : I believe in utilizing the power of design for positive outcomes, thereby steering the world towards a better direction.

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

SH : I aspire to design everything I come into contact with.

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

SH : I would like to pursue a job where I can showcase the positive aspects of Japan in various countries.

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

SH : I consider it important to learn about many things and experiences.

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

SH : I have many inspirations, but architects from the generation of Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara are my idols.

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

SH : I am fond of the SUPERLEGGERA chair designed by GIO PONTI. The first time I saw it in person, I was deeply moved and impressed by its beauty and impact.

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

SH : I consider all of them to be the best, so it's difficult to narrow it down to just one proposal.

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

SH : When I was young, I made it a point to visit various places, see things, and meet different people as much as possible.

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

SH : It's hard to imagine, but I think I was working independently on tasks that could be completed by myself.

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

SH : I consider design to be the very essence of vitality in my life.

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

SH : Certainly, they are family to me.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SH : Believing in oneself is crucial.

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

SH : I am not adept at speaking eloquently.

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

SH : Expressing that the work is perceived as the best for the client is paramount, so ensuring this perspective is not forgotten in our expressions.

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

SH : I'm considering designing for the metaverse and virtual spaces.

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

SH : A timeless design that will be talked about for generations to come.

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

SH : Designing spaces that organize and express the client's sentiments with multiple layers of astonishment.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SH : I believe that through the flow of air in a space, one can feel happiness and become kinder just by speaking about the space itself. I think it's possible to create and circulate such atmospheres.

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

SH : I have started studying virtual spaces, and I am excited to see that virtual spaces are expanding more than I imagined, becoming commonplace worldwide.

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

SH : I consider each option to be the best and therefore find it difficult to narrow down to just one proposal.

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

SH : In Japan, I hope to leverage the power of design to ensure the continued utilization of traditional materials and techniques, which are currently at risk of being lost.

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

SH : I believe that the resonance between virtual space and physical space will advance further through design.

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

SH : It will take about 3 to 4 months.

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

SH : Examining the surroundings of the project involves understanding its historical context.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SH : Continuity is strength.

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

SH : I believe it is healthier for trends to be determined by design because of its influential power.

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

SH : I consider it a tool that accurately expresses images.

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

SH : Primarily, we utilize Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for drawing blueprints and creating CG (Computer Graphics).

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

SH : I consider it an important factor influencing the airflow within a space.

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

SH : Regarding the design of Japanese restaurants.

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

SH : I envision being involved in designs that can evoke such profound emotions.

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

SH : I am someone who possesses perspectives that I do not have.

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

SH : There are many, but architects of the generation such as Tadao Ando and Yoshiji Takehara are my role models.

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

SH : I read a lot of books that Tadao Ando is featured in.

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

SH : The design firm where I previously worked allowed me to participate in the design process from start to finish, regardless of the scale of the projects.

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

SH : I would like to have a conversation with my college self.

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

SH : In Japan, since there are no established evaluation criteria for interior designers, receiving various awards can lead to a sense of confidence.

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

SH : I find the changing seasons in Japan both melancholic and captivating.

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

SH : When I enter restaurants, I sometimes get cautioned by the staff because I tend to touch the walls or fabrics too much and observe them closely.

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

SH : Every morning, I encourage myself by viewing the website of the shop I designed, checking for updates and seeing the effort put into its operation.

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

SH : I believe that my confidence in becoming a great designer has been instrumental in getting me this far.

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

SH : Observing the current flow of humanity, I feel that, like programmed into Earth's system, we might naturally perish as unnecessary beings to the planet.

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

SH : As a typical old-fashioned Japanese person who struggles with speaking in public, I also constantly aspire to engage with and learn from various people as a designer. Therefore, I would like to candidly encourage others to approach me for discussions.