We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Kayoko Nishii ("KN").
Kayoko has a passion for exploring how design contributes to organizations. She uses her ceramic skill for helping her community garden get organized and by teaching the other gardeners to create signs. She has made pieces for commission and often donates to organizations that sell her work to help their causes. Volunteering has always been part of her life. Her volunteering started many years ago when she was in Japan. Kayoko worked weekends helping autistic adults by teaching them how to be independent in life with things like cooking, shopping, and physical activities for health. Kay has also worked at a planetarium to make seasonal films.
Kayoko Nishii Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Kayoko Nishii.
Kayoko Nishii Design - Paw Bowl Slow Feeder
Designer Interview of Kayoko Nishii:
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?
KN : I always wanted to become a professional artist. After I moved to the United States I felt free to follow my passion to become a full-time artist.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KN : My studio is in the middle of the city but pretty quiet and easy to focus on my artwork.
DI: What is "design" for you?
KN : I am an artist and I use my talents and communication skill to show my passion to help pieces become objects intertwined in the user's life. When I am designing a piece I care about what I think the user's desires and needs will be for the work.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KN : Functional, Tableware.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KN : One of my favorite designs was based on Church and Synagogue stained glass windows and made into dishes.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KN : a flower pot
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KN : Clay and 3D software
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
KN : At the end of a project thinking about a new one.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KN : Functional
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KN : I think about users' satisfaction.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KN : Grateful. Self improved.
DI: What makes a design successful?
KN : The sale of that piece.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KN : It's easy to tell if the design is bad because my work is functional. So the first thing is it needs to prove useful.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KN : Using good quality materials that are more durable and long-lasting. Even then they also need to be materials that can be recycled or are biodegradable.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
KN : The development ant integration of the 3D printer has evolved things considerably. My designs are often more minimalist.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KN : The last exhibition was from November 1, 2020, through December 26, 2020. The PLace was "ARTSPACE 1241". I am planning the 2022 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?
KN : My inspirations from my life. Being a professional artist I am always sharpening my vision.
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?
KN : My work is based on ceramic art, both through traditional skills and expanding technologies.