Interview with Yasuhito Takeuchi

Yasuhito Takeuchi ("YT") interviewed on Thursday, 3 May.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

YT : I am a designer and my career will be 20 years. I founded a design studio in 2004. Clients, Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Advertising Companies, Publishers, Companies, etc. I am doing a wide range of work regardless of genre such as entertainment, education, fashion, company, package, branding, etc.

How did you become a designer?

YT : During my school days, I liked music, fashion and art. Then I studied a lot in books and magazines, shared it with my friends, and deepened knowledge more and more. And what was deeply involved in them was design. I am interested and started a part-time job at the design office.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

YT : During my school days, I liked music, fashion and art. Then I studied a lot in books and magazines, shared it with my friends, and deepened knowledge more and more. And what was deeply involved in them was design. I am interested and started a part-time job at the design office. After that, I got a career at the company's design room and design studio.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

YT : For me, design is what makes the world better, communicates and evokes various emotions. My favorite work is not decided by my likes and dislikes. I like works that survey, analysis, achievement, sense, fold. We focus on problem solving and design taste. I also place importance on whether it will echo in the world.Even if it is a good old thing, is it a cultural step forward?

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

YT : Even if it is a good old thing, is it a cultural step forward? Manga(cartoon) is popular in Japan from long ago. Many old history cartoons are also made and you can choose from many things. I read comic books and enjoy the books and images further when the interest spreads. The ideas and knowledge gained there are often inspirational.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

YT : Design is what makes the world better, communicates and evokes various emotions. I will design an ancient Japanese way of thinking.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

YT : I do not seek immediate profits, but I think it is important to look forward. I think that it is important to think flexibly with a broad perspective without thinking from a narrow perspective.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

YT : Design is what makes the world better, communicates and evokes various emotions. I will design an ancient Japanese way of thinking.

What is your day to day look like?

YT : Manga(cartoon) is popular in Japan from long ago. Many old history cartoons are also made and you can choose from many things. I read comic books and enjoy the books and images further when the interest spreads. The ideas and knowledge gained there are often inspirational.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

YT : Trend is only one factor. Not only trends, more elements make up the design.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

YT : I think that it is important to have a design that feels creative, not products or designs that we speak in specs.

What is your biggest design work?

YT : It is Sharaku which was exhibited in "Inspired by Sharaku Exhibition" of Tokyo Design Week. Since it was a work that can freely interpret the subject of Sharaku, I freely examine various things and learned what past and present people are expressing freely. I also expressed freely, made traditional socks, made furniture as a photographic material, and was able to make good work with creative staff.

Who is your favourite designer?

YT : Hiroshi Sugimoto. Because he incorporate Japanese way of thinking into art and design, he is energetically active. The graphic designer I admire is Yusaku Kamekura. He had various tasks such as the Tokyo Olympic Games and Issey Miyake high-dimensional.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

YT : I like Nara prefecture, which is said to be the beginning of a country in Japan. The beautiful nature and faith that the ancient people loved is still there. Japan is a country where manga is developing. Many cartoons with history as a theme. I read many historical manga, it is a trigger to see various books and movies and visit many lands. It is learning Japanese way of thinking and giving much influence to design activities. And the idea of Japanese things forgotten is something we can not do to create a better world.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

YT : I have a lot of external staff, but the staff is one. The staff has a broad perspective and way of thinking and seeks creative talent who can think essence, not only superficial fashionability. I think that the idea of Japanese things will live in any work. It is a very important thing forgotten. It's very creative.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

YT : The designer I care about was awarded at the A 'Design Award. By participating in the design award, the figure that many comrades are doing their best is stimulating, and by applying, you can objectively see your work. In addition, I realized again that there are many multifaceted and necessary items for design.

Yasuhito Takeuchi Profile