We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative JP SPACE Studio ("JSS").
He has been developing a lot of interests in animation and film shooting since he was a child. After graduating from university, he started being a freelancer, working on a piecework basis, and gradually picking up challenges. In 2017, JP SPACE Studio was established. It is dedicated to bringing experts from all fields into a team like a space fleet. Based on this, JP SPACE Studio is committed to vigorously developing Taiwan's image industry, continuing to teach in colleges and universities, cooperating, sharing, and supporting industry rookies, and jointly creating a better and more diverse environment.
JP SPACE Studio Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by JP SPACE Studio.
JP SPACE Studio Design - Chick Coin Motion Graphic Design
Designer Interview of JP SPACE Studio:
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?
JSS : I enjoyed using drawing to express my feelings since I was a child, and found out that others would be moved by this. In this way, I, who am not good at words, can tell the story through the picture. Then it slowly developed into motion graphics.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JSS : JP SPACE Studio was founded in 2017. We dedicated to bring experts in different fields to join our fleet and prosperity of Taiwan image circles. We also teach at colleges and universities, cooperating with young designers in the industry, sharing and supporting, and create a better and more diverse environment.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JSS : To me,”design” is a form to deliver information, whether it is through a simple or a continuous image. A good design is to create a charming narrative while meeting client’s needs at the same time.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JSS : Basically, there’s no set form or any limitations for me to design. I am willing to try to create on my own as long as it’s proposed by the clients.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JSS : If there needs to be an answer, I would say animated movie. Like Kon Satoshi or Miyazaki Hayao, I am deeply moved by how they tell a story. They have given me a lot of inspirations and thoughts, no matter it’s narrative of dreams, virtual or for my creativity.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JSS : It may sounds a little funny but the first work we made is an animated short for my relatives for his wedding. The story is about an alien who detected a strange power “love” and decided to come to earth to find out what’s happen.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JSS : We first started with motion graphics at the beginning, and we would like to use more different ways to tell stories, even to filming. We prefer to work on brand image or product commercials.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JSS : When I got good enough sleep, smoking cigarettes and feeling a bit nervous with a cup of coffee in my hand. That’s when I feel the most creative.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JSS : To accurately deliver what the customer wants to deliver. It can’t be called as a design if it’s not well-delivered. Of course, also an accurate schedule planning.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JSS : The moment when I picture how it would be realized, I would be very excited, as always.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JSS : I would feel it’s never good enough and want to challenge again for better results.
DI: What makes a design successful?
JSS : Meet the clients’ need accurately with precise communication, schedule and the cooperation of the whole team.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JSS : I would say the appearance. If it’s a well-told story but lack of visual charm then it probably won’t draw my attention.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JSS : Bring kindness, positive vibe and reflection to the world. I hope that I could use such a medium make the world a little bit kinder.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JSS : People are now paying more attention to visual charm and pursuing for short-length film instead of the main idea and the story itself. What really caught people’s eyes are those value the both. I believe in the future that people will value the essence of content rather than showing off skills.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JSS : Most of my inspiration comes from animated films and video games. Those stories always attract me and become indispensable parts of my life. But I guess many things just go with the flow, even inspiration. Of course, my team plays an important role in it.
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?
JSS : I am interested in every different style.There is no limit of style when conducting each project. Viewers could feel tenderness and softness in my work, which is similar to my personality. But I am always trying stronger visual expressions and style.
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?
JSS : I live in Taiwan, and my hometown is Taitung. The historical environment has made us perseverant and indomitable. Through complete democratic freedom, we can say whatever we want and show our own story. This is the greatest thing in Taiwan.
DI: How do you work with companies?
JSS : Allowing everyone performs their own duties and establish a horizontal communication channel.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JSS : Allowing everyone performs their own duties and plans the schedule at first. Establish a horizontal communication channel, so that everyone has the opportunity to speak. And never let inefficient meetings get in the way. A good designer also needs to have good communication skills and the enthusiasm to create beautiful things.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JSS : Understand what client needs at first and choose a medium form what fits the best. Then, tell a charming story. After establishing the main fracture, make story board, style frame, film, motion design, BGM and VO fit the title well.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JSS : The art installation “Slow Dance”, the Japanese lucky cat made in Showa period and the poster of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
JSS : I’m a person who values daily routine. A simple breakfast with a cup of coffee starts my day in the morning. Then I think about the script, upcoming project and have meetings with my team. After work, I feed and talk with my cat, have a nice dinner with my partner and relax till I sleep.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JSS : Have your own daily routine, have a regular life but keep extra time for sudden changes. Feel and observe every moment of life, and make analyzing a habit. Don’t start your work from first coming up visual appearances but change the story into words when work with clients.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JSS : Be positive towards each new project, be willing to embrace new things, and have teamwork experience as much as possible.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JSS : Happy comes the first. I would always ask myself “Am I happy?” and “Are the team members happy?”.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JSS : To observe and to analyze. Observe tiny things and feel the feelings then analyze them and convert them into your own thoughts.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JSS : I use Keynote most of the time. A good work must be built on accurate, good planning and nice communication with customers or the team. I often summarize my idea through words. In this way, I’m able to change my imagination then visualize them into words and complete scripts with the team.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JSS : Teamwork and collaboration. Make the best use of time when allowing each one to pay full attention on their own work. Trying to build mutual understanding through horizontal communication at first. A nice and complete communication could improve the efficiency of the whole project.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JSS : Basically one and a half month. When it is a bigger project, it may take three to four months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JSS : How can I make a better project to meet client’s need and the team’s expectations?” “How to express myself more clearly and be more precise on work?”
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JSS : I will learn many different things from different clients, partners of each project.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JSS : I would prefer working with the brands. I worked with Disney,EVERGREEN Group,Porsche,Yahoo and TED.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JSS : Being trusted and being respected on work.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JSS : I will continue to improve my storytelling ability and try to use different kinds of media in the future. For now, what I want to try the most is the combination of film with VFX or motion graphics, and having the opportunity to create amazing results once again.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JSS : As a director of JP SPACE Studio, we have always worked as a team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JSS : We are now continuing to cooperate with different brands for commercials or brand image, looking forward to make something that catches people’s eyes.
DI: How can people contact you?
JSS : Through our official website or through email.