We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 (" KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香").
She is one of the most active illustrators in Japan. She mainly creates illustrations for corporate information magazines and calendars. She has been a lecturer at the Japan Designer Art College in Nagoya since 1999. She has also been teaching the joy of imagining and creating through art studies at Tokai Medical College in Nagoya since 2010.
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香.
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 Design - Aisanka Information Magazine
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 Design - Bon Vivant Information Magazine
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 Design - Japanese Kumano Kodo Calendar
Designer Interview of KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香:
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?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I became an illustrator when my older sister, who was a designer in Osaka, showed an illustrator she knew some of my illustrations. I'd wanted to be a painter since I was three years old.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : After working at a design office in Nagoya from 1985 to 1987, I have been working as a freelance illustrator since 1987. I founded the company by myself, so I am a completely freelance illustrator.
DI: What is "design" for you?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Although design is close to me, I make my living as an illustrator. I have been a lecturer at a design school from 2001 to 2025 (still do), teaching about design. Also, from an illustrator's point of view, it's about how to use (design) illustrations to appeal to viewers in advertisements.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : How do I design my work?
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : How to show your work (how to show it?, how to express it?) come up with an idea. I like to think about the composition and create.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : My first job as an illustrator was to draw campaign posters for the Tottori and Shimane "Nippon Railroad". She was happy to receive the request. It was a work with the theme of the legendary animal "YamatanoOrochi", so it was a lot of fun.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Hand-drawn illustrations: paints, brushes, Japanese paper Platform: Mac OS Sequoia 15.5 Created in Photoshop
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Once I've decided on a theme, when I can create something that fits that concept
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : If it is a product, it should be easy for users to use, and it should also look cool.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : It's hard when you have no ideas. But it's fun to see the work take shape. When I see the finished work, I reflect on it, but I also want to try again.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish it and look back and ask myself, "Was it okay?" Also, when I create something fun, I want to try again.
DI: What makes a design successful?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Tenacity, Perseverance, Continuity and never give up
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : If it's a product, it should look good and be smart. And most importantly, ease of use. The most important thing is to be safe
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : It seems that many of the designs so far have been economically oriented. I believe that designers have a great responsibility in using materials that are in line with society and the global environment, and in thinking about designs for a sustainable and earth-friendly society.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I think that design will be born where there are people, the area will expand, and it will continue to evolve. In that sense, I feel the importance of design. The future of design is with people.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : In July 2023, I had an exhibition with two of my mentor illustrators. Also, although it wasn't a design exhibition, I exhibited at the New York Art Expo held in New York in 2019.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : The designs change every time, but I use ancient Celtic patterns, Japanese and Chinese patterns, and recently I've also been influenced by plants and flowers that grow nearby.
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?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I get a lot of inspiration from old things (classics), and recently from the flowers around my feet. I also get inspiration from imaginary things (animals). I also get it from culture such as classical performing arts and festivals.
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?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I live in Hida Takayama. The famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go is also nearby. I think I am influenced by the cultural heritage of my own country without knowing it. Precision and seriousness are strengths and weaknesses, aren't they?
DI: How do you work with companies?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I receive job offers from companies through designers. Designers who have seen my website contact me by email with job offers.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I think it's quite difficult to find good designers. It may be important to appeal from here. I want companies to always keep an eye out and research designers. "Is it a fateful encounter? "
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : We listen carefully to our clients, find out what they want, and come up with ideas that match them. We have several meetings with customers to propose and produce better products.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Old lacquerware Mainspring wall clock used by my grandfather Japanese rain gear (Mino)(ミノ） earthen storehouse pottery
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I'm very busy every day. Now I live in the countryside, so I do farm work and mow the grass every day like a farmer. If I keep going like this, I'll end up becoming a real farmer. Lately, I've been trying to value my own time. Of course, I also want to make sure I have enough time to draw illustrations.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : There are design hints at my feet. Seek the old, learn the new
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I'm not a designer, but it's all about balance, seeing the big picture, and coming up with ideas. Good or bad, there is a commitment.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I want to make what I want and what I think is good. However, it must also be good for third parties (users).
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Communication skills, ideas, production skills. Power to complete, power to continue. heart not to give up
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Mac os, Sequoia 15.5 Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) Books (Japanese patterns, fictitious things), etc.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : In addition to creating illustrations, I also work in agriculture, so it's quite difficult to find time. I'm thinking about becoming more efficient at my farming work so I can concentrate on my original work as an illustrator. I need to design how I spend my time each day. Maybe it means cutting down on my sleep a little?
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : It depends on the project, but for something simple it takes about 1-2 weeks from idea to production and completion.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I'm an illustrator and a question I get asked a lot is how long it takes to complete an illustration.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : My first job as an illustrator was creating illustrations for campaign posters for JR in Tottori and Shimane. I was very happy to receive the request. Also, it was a work with the theme of the legendary animal "Yamata no Orochi", so it was very creative and fun.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : There are no specific customers.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : This is a job that was requested after the client saw my illustrations. Being involved from the planning stage and turning my ideas into reality is a very rewarding and enjoyable job.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I am planning an exhibition by seven illustrators in Takayama in September 2023. At the request of two of my former teachers, the exhibition included myself, the two former teachers, and four others, for a total of seven people. I would like to plan an exhibition like this again next time.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Original design development However, if requested, I would like to create a design as a team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : I don't have any plans for a project at the moment. I'd like to create something. For example, I'd like to express a classic Japanese work in the form of an illustration. I haven't found what it is yet. I'll let you know when I find it.
DI: How can people contact you?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Please contact us by email, as we cannot speak English. Recent emails have translation functions, so please feel free to contact us by email.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
KiyokaYamazuki 山附貴世香 : Nothing in particular