Yuko Suzuki

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yuko Suzuki ("YS") 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?

YS : I majored in oil painting and printmaking at university. After graduation, while continuing my printmaking practice, I worked at several design and video production companies. I haven’t received formal education in design.

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

YS : After graduating from university, I wanted to start working right away, and at the time, the design industry seemed like the most accessible path for me.

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

YS : I never really intended to become a designer, and even now, I don’t consider myself one. I’ve just been taking on the work in front of me, always hoping to learn something new along the way.

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

YS : I create visuals based on algorithmic approaches and code-driven processes. This is the type of work I’d love to continue exploring and producing more of in the future.

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

YS : I’m definitely not a legend. (laughs)

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

YS : Hmm… maybe it’s whether they have a clear and consistent sense of aesthetics.

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

YS : Perhaps it’s something that doesn’t draw attention to itself — something that goes unnoticed by most people.

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

YS : I would love to create work that reinterprets the systems and structures of the world, driven by my own curiosity.

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

YS : I believe success is somewhat random, and there is no secret formula for it.

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

YS : I constantly keep learning.

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

YS : I would have become a neuroscientist.

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

YS : Design feels like something that helps maintain order in the world

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

YS : The great creators of the past.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

YS : Surprising my clients has helped me grow as a designer.

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

YS : To connect different worlds through design.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YS : I think it's about being close to people and their everyday lives.

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

YS : I'm currently learning about the history of Japanese art and craftsmanship.

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

YS : If the design field stays open and humble, I think it can continue to connect with a wide range of disciplines.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

YS : My motto is to always invent.

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

YS : I think it's both.

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

YS : I think technology is something that expands the way I think and create.

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

YS : I use a variety of Adobe software, along with programming languages based on Java and JavaScript.

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

YS : My ideal design partner is a director who is passionate about creating something new together. I believe in co-design.

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

YS : The person who had the most influence on my works was my boss, who was about ten years older than me, and who mentored me when I was younger. He was an incredible designer. Although I was often scolded by him, I wouldn’t be who I am today without his guidance.

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

YS : The book that had the most effect on my works is 'Sanshiro' by Natsume Soseki.

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

YS : It's about paying attention to the details.

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

YS : The great creators of the past.

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

YS : Not at all. I was just a kid who spent every day mimicking Ken Shimura (a famous Japanese comedian) and laughing uncontrollably, without giving any thought to becoming a designer.

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

YS : I don't know. But I believe the essence of being human may remain the same. That is, of course, if humans are still around.