We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Masaru Eguchi ("ME").
Masaru Eguchi started photography in 2002 and won domestic and foreign awards as a photographer. Design career is from 2006. As a designer, he has designed the world's No. 1 badminton racket maker, stationery brand design, traditional Japanese technology brand design, and social business design. Later he founded the design office "Sunpono" in 2016. He sees the "health of the business" as improving the profits of the business and improving the well-being of the workers and the people living in it.
Masaru Eguchi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Masaru Eguchi.
Masaru Eguchi Design - The Japanese Forest Photography
Designer Interview of Masaru Eguchi:
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?
ME : I started taking pictures when I was a college student. I studied psychology in college and after graduating, I began my career as a photographer, winning national and international awards. Later, I also became a designer, designing badminton rackets for the world's number one market share and branding design for a social business, which won the Red Dot Award in 2019.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ME : I'm a freelance designer and photographer, but the name of my office is Sunpono. The word "Sunpo" literally means "walking" in Japanese. His work includes branding design, artwork creation, and photography. In addition to this, I also train young designers.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ME : It's planning and execution. What is not designed does not exist in this society. However, all things are divided into "good design" and "bad design". A good design is one in which planning and execution are working effectively, and a bad design is one in which they are not working effectively. A good designer is good at planning and execution.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ME : Something less flashy.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ME : In terms of my work, it's the latest. I'm always improving. In terms of designs from other companies, my latest favorite is the measuring cup from the Swedish brand Jonas. This is great.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ME : Sales promotion tools.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ME : I love everything about it. I like the cutting edge, and I like the old, outdated stuff.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
ME : Making a new discovery.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ME : The balance between design that gives wisdom and design that sells.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ME : The excitement of creating something new and the stress of having to meet deadlines. The other thing is the desire to raise the budget.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ME : There's nothing. It's something I've planned and executed. "I was right, wasn't I?" The only thing I can think.
DI: What makes a design successful?
ME : Knowledge, insight, execution, and a budget.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ME : I ask me. "Do I want this?"
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ME : For the environment, it should be completed with fewer materials and resources. For society, designers have to give wisdom and inspiration.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ME : If I talk about the near future, the knowledge is increasing and the act of creating a design is getting easier. However, the bad design is only increasing.There will be a similar phenomenon with the rise of stale photos as everyone is able to take them.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ME : I've forgotten about it and I don't have any plans for the next exhibition.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ME : I try to look back at history. Also, I try to put myself in nature. Then I make it a point to take a warm bath, eat good food, and get a good night's sleep.
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?
ME : It's all about observation, insight, execution, and improvement. We don't just repeat patterns that have worked in the past. I'm always trying new things.
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?
ME : I was born and raised in Japan and still live in Japan, so I'm very influenced culturally. The advantage is that we can create the details. I guess the downside is that there is a lot of tuning pressure. Individuality will be killed. Japan is a difficult country for designers to live in.
DI: How do you work with companies?
ME : It's very good. Companies have money, after all.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ME : It's all about trusting the designer's suggestions. To meet with a good designer, you have to be lucky. It's the same thing as meeting your lifelong companion. The only secret is luck.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ME : First, a hearing. Next, observations and insights. And iterate on execution and improvement.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ME : Paper and pen. Tableware and knives. The chairs and desks are nice. I like the primitive tools.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
ME : Wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, go for a walk, work, eat lunch, work, go for a walk, have a snack, work, go for a walk, work, go for a walk, eat dinner, take a bath, go to sleep. It's important to take a walk.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ME : You have to try everything. There is no set pattern.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ME : The positives are that I'm good at making improvements, I'm good at finding problems, and I'm easy to fantasize about. But there are a lot of negatives. Being detail-oriented, overthinking, complaining a lot, doing everything... designers are bad people.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ME : There is nothing. From the moment you have the Golden Rule, the design rots and dies.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
ME : Don't be afraid. It's having the stupidity to try new things.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ME : Paper, pen, smartphone, Adobe CC, and public library.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ME : Start with the first thing that comes to mind. Too many people make inexperienced plans. Move!
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ME : It's up to the deadline.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ME : Is it profitable?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ME : All works.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
ME : Good people.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ME : There is no such thing as a fun job. Every work is a trial and a challenge. All it needs courage.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ME : I'm doing some creative and design work.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ME : I work by myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
ME : Please email me. info@eguchimasaru.com