We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Tomohiro Katsuki ("TK").
PRISM DESIGN is an international architecture and design studio whose partners have worked for many years in architectural design in various disciplines. These areas of expertise range from interior design, product design, and exhibition design (commercial spaces, hospitality, residential, health and wellness bars, restaurants, retail and office design), to art direction and design consulting for companies operating in the furniture and fashion industries. Our team is composed of a group of creative people from different backgrounds, working together in an ongoing cultural exchange. All work carried out by the Studio is characterized by a strong design identity, the result of assiduous research and creativity. This identity is found throughout all of our work and allows for innovative design and the extension of the parameters of architecture and design. Located in the historic centre of SHANGHAI_CHINA, the studio was founded in 2009 by TOMOHIRO KATSUKI. While the headquarters are still in SHANGHAI, the studio has expanded to include international operations and now has offices in BEIJING_CHINA (2011) and TOKYO_JAPAN (2011) . The creative process is akin to a journey, undertaken in close collaboration with the client, creating a strong interaction between people, objects and space. These goals are achieved in agreement with each other and can bring unforeseen results, finding a balance between rational functionality and the emotional realm. Our work obtains its inspiration from continuous research and through multiple artistic influences. Each new project is a source for constant growth and evolution.
Tomohiro Katsuki Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Tomohiro Katsuki.
Tomohiro Katsuki Design - SUIGETSU JAPANESE RESTAURANT JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Tomohiro Katsuki Design - Moonlit Garden Wuxi Sales Center
Tomohiro Katsuki Design - SugarLady Ladies Apparel Popup Store
Tomohiro Katsuki Design - Niannujiao Jiaoding Flagship Store
Tomohiro Katsuki Design - Both Boutique & Music Vinyl Record Bar & Cafe
Tomohiro Katsuki Design - Unbot inc. Office Design Office
Designer Interview of Tomohiro Katsuki:
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?
TK : When I was in my teens, I was playing in Play Area daily.Then, I look about CAFE,Bar,Restaurant,Boutique etc.It was affected a lot and I wanted to make it.Then I attended a specialized design school and entered the design studio.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TK : PRISM DESIGN is an international architecture and design studio whose partners have worked for many years in architectural design in various disciplines. These areas of expertise range from interior design, product design, and exhibition design (commercial spaces, hospitality, residential, health and wellness bars, restaurants, retail and office design), to art direction and design consulting for companies operating in the furniture and fashion industries. Our team is composed of a group of creative people from different backgrounds, working together in an ongoing cultural exchange. All work carried out by the Studio is characterized by a strong design identity, the result of assiduous research and creativity. This identity is found throughout all of our work and allows for innovative design and the extension of the parameters of architecture and design. Located in the historic centre of SHANGHAI_CHINA, the studio was founded in 2009 by TOMOHIRO KATSUKI. While the headquarters are still in SHANGHAI, the studio has expanded to include international operations and now has branch in BEIJING_CHINA (2011) and TOKYO_JAPAN (2011) ,HIROSHIMA-FUKUYAMA_JAPAN(2016) . The creative process is akin to a journey, undertaken in close collaboration with the client, creating a strong interaction between people, objects and space. These goals are achieved in agreement with each other and can bring unforeseen results, finding a balance between rational functionality and the emotional realm. Our work obtains its inspiration from continuous research and through multiple artistic influences. Each new project is a source for constant growth and evolution.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TK : It is to find problems and continue thinking about solutions.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TK : I like it all.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TK : I do not particularly like pre-determined Styles.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TK : It was company signature Logo design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TK : Nothing in particular.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TK : before sleep
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TK : Meaning to design
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TK : There are no stormy waves.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TK : The problem with the finished product is anxious again.
DI: What makes a design successful?
TK : I am patient with effort.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TK : Compare the contrast of various requirements.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TK : Necessity and durability to be designed so as not to be wasted.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TK : There is a tendency that it becomes excessive information and similar things increase too much. More individuality becomes more important.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
TK : There are no plans.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TK : It is from client's request.
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?
TK : There is no Style in particular. That is 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?
TK : I live in Shanghai, China. It depends greatly on culture, history, and politics.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TK : We are doing various collaborations depending on the situation of the project.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TK : Spirit, young age, responsibility, tenacious perseverance.We will collaborate on this basis.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TK : Hearing, research, assumption, confirmation, adjustment, implementation, completion, after-follow. This is the flow.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TK : Rough sketch and imagination
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
TK : It may not be possible.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TK : Proposal of answers of various ideas
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TK : Positive; a story that does not end.Negative; a story that does not end.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
TK : Not particularly.It is wonderful that there are no rules.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TK : Effort and patience
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TK : We use various tools.General PC software, physical drawing＆modeling etc.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TK : It depends on the situation of the project.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TK : It depends on the situation of the project.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TK : How is your design Style?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
TK : carpenter
DI: Who are some of your clients?
TK : It is various.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TK : It is various.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TK : My dream is to perform designs of various genres in Multi,I would like to create an institution like a school that teaches the final result for young designer eggs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TK : I will build a design by myself or a team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TK : I do not have it for now.
DI: How can people contact you?
TK : SNS is the most common.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
TK : It is fully covered.