We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Sayoko Kitai ("SK").
Sayoko Kitai mainly produces wearable art jewelry. These fully-3D embroidery works are created using the Double-Sided Embroidery technique, by which the same pattern can be stitched on both sides of an item simultaneously. Her brand offers a bespoke service and can craft an original item designed not only by Sayoko but also by customers themselves. It also offers altered fashion items, including bags and jackets, made from Japanese traditional kimono and obi.
Sayoko Kitai Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Sayoko Kitai.
Sayoko Kitai Design - Butterfly Brooch
Designer Interview of Sayoko Kitai:
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?
SK : I have never learned it at any schools but learned it on my own.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SK : My brand devised the novel Double-Sided 3D Embroidery technique and is creating bespoke products including art jewelry and altered fashion items.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SK : Art jewelry. It’s because they are so delicate and needs meticulous attention to details when designing. It’s always challenging but fun for me at the same time.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SK : Butterflies are my most favorite design because their wings’ patterns are so complicated and it is difficult to find how I can reproduce their beauty when it is realized.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SK : 3D hawks and various butterflies to decorate wedding attires.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SK : When I encountered things that are interesting and inspiring.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SK : Back side of the works. Usually people see the front side but don't see the back side of things. However, in my opinion, we, designers should take great care of the details, even back sides.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SK : I feel excited with the realized item already in my mind.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SK : I feel a great sense of accomplishment.
DI: What makes a design successful?
SK : I think an overall balance in a realized design is key.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SK : I first consider its overall balance, because I think it’s the key for successful designs, as well as its backside.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SK : Enriching people’s lives through designs and leaving them as a record of this age for future generations.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SK : I think it will follow the current of the times.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SK : My last exhibition was held at Saliot gallery, Tokyo, Japan, and another exhibition is to be held at Chibagin Himawari gallery, Tokyo, Japan from July 5th to 18th, 2022.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SK : I can get a lot of inspirations by going out. I often visit galleries, parks, and so on.
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?
SK : I live in Japan. And when I was a child, I lived in a city close to Kyoto, old capital of Japan, so many beautiful legacies had an impact on my design style.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SK : Listening to designers and incorporating their ideas are important.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SK : Tablets are the great tool for scaling. Pens that are easy to hold and draw are necessary for me.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
SK : In the morning, after doing some workout, mainly stretching, I start designing or crafting. In early evening, I go for a walk to get new inspirations.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SK : Getting steady income might be difficult even though you have excellent skills and a sense of design. But you can get a great pleasure and a sense of happiness, once you are recognized.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
SK : Watching and examining things are most important.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SK : Encyclopedias, websites, fashion magazines.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SK : On average, it takes one to two weeks just for designing.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
SK : Yumi Katsura International.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SK : I want to earn a solid brand reputation and market my designed items globally in the near future.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SK : I usually work by myself but also like working with other people.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SK : I’m designing a new dragonfly brooch.
DI: How can people contact you?
SK : I prefer to be contacted via e-mail (sayoko@rittai-shisyuu.net) or inquiry page on my website (https://www.rittai-shisyuu-en.net/contact/).