Interview with 　KiyokaYamazuki

　KiyokaYamazuki ("　KiyokaYamazuki") interviewed on Saturday, 17 June.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : From 1985 to 1987, I worked as an illustrator at a design office in Nagoya. He later became a freelance illustrator and continues to this day. He painted his first JR campaign poster in 1991. Mainly Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.: Hitachi Maxell Co., Ltd.: Calendar Aichi Prefecture PR magazine: Sony Corporation: PR magazine production. He has also produced advertisements for a number of companies.

How did you become a designer?

　KiyokaYamazuki : I really liked drawing since I was little. She was the kind of girl who drew pictures on the ground even when she was playing outside. Also, I was a very passive child. I graduated from a junior college design course for two years, but I couldn't get a design job right away. I wanted to draw more, so I was thinking about transferring to an art university in my fourth year. At that time, her older sister was a graphic designer in Osaka. The reason I became an illustrator was when she showed my illustration to her acquaintance, an illustrator (Shiro Nishiguchi). After that, she began to receive instruction in illustration. At that time, I was working as an employee at a calligraphy brush shop, but after work I was working hard on my illustrations. For about two years, I continued to draw illustrations whenever I found time. When I saw the illustration by the illustrator (Shiro Nishiguchi) who taught me, I was surprised and moved. That excitement still drives me. It also taught me to never give up.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

　KiyokaYamazuki : In the case of design, the first priority is to listen to what the client is looking for and what they are having trouble with, then come up with ideas, make proposals, and have discussions. Then go to design. The illustrations used in the design also listen to the theme, come up with ideas, and if it is OK, I will produce it. There is a central theme, keystone, or specific aspect of design that integrates into every project. However, for art works, I find a theme in myself on a daily basis and create what I want to create and express. So it's a little different. I'm an old-fashioned type of person, so I prefer manual work if possible, but I can't do that these days. We are reluctantly moving to digital. I use digital to digitize illustrations.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

　KiyokaYamazuki : I feel the joy of design when people come up with ideas, inspire each other, generate ideas, and give form to products. And I'm really happy when it turns out to be a great product for clients, designers (me) and users.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I've been drawing since I was little, but I also did calligraphy. In fact, calligraphy is qualified as an instructor. When I was worried about my own path, my calligraphy teacher told me that "There is nothing to waste in life" and "It's okay to go straight on your own path, but it's also good to take a detour." After that, I worked at a calligraphy shop for about 5 years and experienced face-to-face sales with customers. After that, she worked at a design office for about two years and now works as a freelance illustrator. I think that communication with the client was also cultivated at that time. It means "nothing is wasted in life".

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : For me, my dreams for the future are still on the way. Rather than becoming an illustrator, my dream is to have many people know and see my paintings. (Not enough yet.) In order to talk about dreams at this age (I don't have time), I have no choice but to act so that dreams don't end as dreams. But is the language barrier the biggest problem? I want to design my own life.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Don't be afraid to fail and ask questions if you don't understand something. Listen carefully to what people are saying and start with greetings. Greetings are basic. Stay in touch and learn more. However, it also requires the judgment of wrong knowledge.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I'm still imperfect (as an illustrator). But I can say that when I look at successful illustrators, First of all, I will continue to draw illustrations. (Continuity is power, isn't it?) Please stay healthy again. (Keep your mind and body healthy) There are no shortcuts. Occasionally, road grass is also good. There may be new discoveries there.

What is your day to day look like?

　KiyokaYamazuki : My life is different than it was 10 years ago. When I moved from the city to the countryside where my parents lived, my life changed, for better or worse. A little far from business. As a teacher, I attend a two-and-a-half-hour class (design school) once a week. I have a chronic illness, so I try to go for a walk in the morning to keep my life as regular as possible. Because it is a land rich in nature, it can be difficult. (Heavy snow, village work, managing your own land, etc.) It's the most fun to find the moment when the seasons change and the flowers bloom.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I never follow design trends. We have a broad and shallow understanding of current trends. (It's shallow knowledge.) I think it's important to know trends. That's why I don't follow trends unless my clients ask me to. (often with bad results) But that doesn't mean I'm obsessed with my designs. Rather, I am inspired by things that have not changed since ancient times (Buddha statues, buildings, designs), fictional things, and more recently, shapes and structures that exist in nature.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : I believe that the definition of good design should be good not only for those who design it, but also for those who seek it, users and clients. However, I think that the design (product or project) should not destroy nature in the long term, and should not have a negative impact on the global environment. Whether the product or project is well designed Before you design, you need to have the courage to stop if it's inappropriate.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

　KiyokaYamazuki : I am an illustrator. I'm not a designer, so this may not be the correct answer. Even if you can only design, it will not be completed. Shouldn't we go back to the first meeting, think about what the client wants, discuss it, and make improvements? Let's listen. Now let's complete another design. A project is a success if it's good for the people who use the product, the people who commission it, and others.

What is your biggest design work?

　KiyokaYamazuki : There are two illustration jobs that turned out to be a big turning point for me. One was the first job I received from JR (a tourism campaign for Tottori and Shimane). The other is a poster for the Nagoya Festival that I made from among many designs. Rather than a festival scenery, this illustration expresses a fun "festival sound". The results were well received. It became a poster for the Nagoya Festival. For this project, I am planning to hold a group exhibition here (in my gallery) for the first time with two illustrators who have been indebted to me for many years. I am really looking forward to it. make it a success.

Who is your favourite designer?

　KiyokaYamazuki : I haven't met many designers, so I don't know. As for clothes, I liked designer Issey Miyake's clothes. To a lesser extent, I also bought some clothes. I also found the design concept interesting. There are so many wonderful people in the world that I just don't know. Maybe I've already met a lot of people without even realizing it. I would like to ask famous designers for their "secrets of success". It's a pity that I can't speak to him. However, I think that I was most influenced by the illustrators who were close to me and kindly taught me. If I had to name them here, they would be illustrators Shiro Nishiguchi and Kunio Sato.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : About 10 years ago, I moved to the countryside to care for my parents. When I was little, I was a child who never played outside. Now I do farm work, mow grass, and participate in village work. And I feel like I'm getting away from "culture" except for going to design school once a week to teach design. However, recently I have become accustomed to such a life, and I am interested in how efficiently I can get used to living in the countryside, secure my own time, and lead a more creative life (life plan). However, my favorite city is New York. He has visited New York three times so far. There are many galleries such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MOMA. Just hearing New York excites me. In addition, I would like to go out if there is an opportunity.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : Active as a freelance illustrator since 1997. I work alone, so I'm not good at cooperating with others (because I'm selfish). I've tried several times to find a good manager (business partner), but I can't seem to find one. I would like to leave various miscellaneous tasks to a good manager and only do production, but it seems impossible due to my personality. I would like a good business partner to be someone who understands me well and can think of 10 things for one thing. I want to reduce my daily household chores a little more, lead a comfortable life, and regain my creative life as soon as possible.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

　KiyokaYamazuki : As a designer, artist and architect, I have never been social. Speaking of encounters and contributions, I have been teaching design and illustration at a vocational school since 2002. I have also been teaching art at another vocational school for about 15 years. Through these activities, I would like to contribute to the local community (give back) through my paintings.

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

　KiyokaYamazuki : To be honest, this is the first time I have participated in such a big exhibition. I'm still at a loss as to what to do. Also, when I was young, I participated in overseas exhibitions 4.5 times. (Complete in a few easy steps.) Also, this kind of exhibition is aimed at young people, so I don't have many opportunities to participate at my age. I never thought I would receive an award at my age. Especially for the A' Design Award, I never thought I would win it, so the process after receiving the award was very difficult. Now I have to cut my sleep for 2-3 weeks for paperwork. (due to language and computer barriers). Still in production It would be nice to have someone nearby who knows how to use it, but working alone is tiring (because I don't want to get used to using a computer). However, by answering many interviews this time, I was able to face my life again. I realized that I was taken care of by many people until now. The English barrier is still high, and I don't know how to operate a computer, so it's hard. I was very tired, but I learned a lot. thank you very much.

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