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Interview with Keiji Ishikawa |
Home > Designer Interviews > Keiji Ishikawa |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Keiji Ishikawa (KI) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Keiji Ishikawa by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
KI: Since childhood, I have thought about things that give people heartwarming emotions. So, whenever and wherever I can, I have been creating something new.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KI: The "KJ" in "KJ Studio" stands for "Kiriko J'adore," which means that everyone should know and love the beauty of Japanese cut glass, "KIRIKO." I would be very happy if you used glass in your daily life.
FS: What is "design" for you?
KI: Design means something new that innovates our daily lives.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KI: I like new objects that innovate our daily lives.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KI: New objects bring interesting visual effects that refresh people's minds and give them a sense of security.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KI: I made a cut glass with a " Wind " design on a rock glass.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KI: My favorite materials are multi-layered glass and blown glass.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
KI: I feel most creative when seeing beautiful scenery or listening to inspiring music.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KI: Novelty and balance.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KI: The concentration to create something new.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KI: When I create something good, I feel a sense of satisfaction.
FS: What makes a design successful?
KI: The quality and timing of inspiration.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KI: The natural expression of the concept and balance.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KI: To create something that makes people happy.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
KI: I believe design grows and evolves in symbiosis with people.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KI: It was in Tokushima in May this year. If I have the opportunity, I would also like to hold it in Tokyo.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KI: I think design inspiration comes from the orientation to seek the truth of things.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
KI: The center of my design style is warm interaction and peace between people. To achieve this, I am always pursuing fundamental design.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
KI: I live in Tokushima, Japan, and have a second home in Shodoshima. The area's natural scenery and cultural heritage sometimes inspire my designs.
FS: How do you work with companies?
KI: Companies ask me to make various custom-made products.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
KI: We suggest original and innovative designs to companies while following their requests. Companies are looking for designers who can create creative designs.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
KI: We consider several ideas and their developments based on an idea that inspires us and then select one.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KI: Wine glasses, rock glasses, plates, tumblers, and lampshades.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
KI: Morning coffee, an early morning walk with the dog, thinking about ideas, a delicious lunch, working on Kiriko, an evening walk with the dog, and a nice dinner with my wife and friends.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
KI: Trust your sensibility. Accept all the good and bad things around you and sublimate them into ideas.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
KI: The good is being able to reproduce the creations you have thought of. The bad thing is the risk of losing vital essence because you cannot document the design.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
KI: Attention to balance.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
KI: Orientation towards always moving towards new things.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KI: A notebook where I quickly jot down any ideas that come to mind.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
KI: I always set aside a block of time.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
KI: 1 week to 1 month.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
KI: What drew you to Kiriko?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
KI: Custom-made work for a company.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
KI: Customers are looking for gifts for special people, companies are looking for exceptional interiors, etc.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
KI: We are working to come up with new designs.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
KI: I aim to apply Kiriko to various glass products we see around us.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KI: I currently develop my own designs, but I would like to work in a team.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
KI: Not at the moment.
FS: How can people contact you?
KI: You can contact me by email or through the comments section on our website.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
KI: Nothing in particular.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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