We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Takako Masuki ("TM").
Masuki is a graphic designer and zine maker living in Tokyo. She has worked for several design firms including India and Shanghai. Since then, she has been actively working as a freelancer. On the other hand, she is also working on illustrating and publishing a book on Asian cuisine. In 2021, she won the best of the best in the design category of the Gourmand Cookbook Awards, the Oscars of cookbooks.
Takako Masuki Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Takako Masuki.
Designer Interview of Takako Masuki:
DI: 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?
TM : I love to draw Manga in my childhood. When I joined my first company(Forward company), I feel odd and I decided to join a design school.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TM : I am a freelancer. I work for commission and private project. (ASIAN_FOOD_DESIGN)
DI: What is "design" for you?
TM : Something good for society and people.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TM : Making zines with Risograph
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TM : Cute and lovely color combination
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TM : Subway Ad
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TM : Non-IT tools
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TM : When I am so busy
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TM : It will be long text...
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TM : Like breath
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TM : Very happy
DI: What makes a design successful?
TM : Thoughts and technic
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TM : My first impression, depends on what kind of emotion I get.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TM : Design something good or better for them
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TM : I hope it will be kinder and heart warmer.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
TM : I have not holden it, I hope to hold it someday.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TM : Visit overseas, check SNS of my favorite shops, Pinterest, Instagram, Art book fairs
DI: 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?
TM : Cute and bright colors. I prefer something positive.
DI: 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?
TM : Tokyo. Pros are I can touch Tokyo culture. Cons are female discrimination.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TM : It will be long text...
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TM : Meet lots designer and see many works. Its like looking for your partner.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TM : I usually try to forget my works, then I can see them like first time. I repeated this routine.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TM : Mechanical pencil, eraser, Painting stuffs, Posters, Mac
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
TM : 8:30-14:00 Work 14:00-14:30 Study English 14:30-17:00 Work & Illustration 17:00 Cooking 18:00 Family time
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TM : Be yourself not another person.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TM : Positive we can make something new and happy Negative we can make something bad and unhappy
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
TM : No rule. No limitation.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TM : Ability to ask themselves always
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TM : MAC & ADOBE
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TM : I always select which work I want to do right now. It will not waste time.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TM : Depending on the project
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TM : How many clients do you have?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
TM : Editorial design and career overseas
DI: Who are some of your clients?
TM : Publishers, Ad Companies, Shops, and so on
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TM : Private project. I can design whatever I want.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TM : I would like to immigrate to another country. I would like to hold an exhibition someday.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TM : Developed my designs myself
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TM : Hong Kong food book for kids (in English)
DI: How can people contact you?
TM : Email, Instagram, FB, Behance, Linkedin