We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Toshihiko Sakai ("TS").
Toshihiko Sakai is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Toshihiko Sakai Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Toshihiko Sakai.
Designer Interview of Toshihiko Sakai:
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?
TS : The first time I thought about Design was in high school. At that time, I was looking at motorbikes but I did not find any that looked good for me. That was the first time I told myself that I wanted to design motorbikes, and do Design as my job. After university I was sure I wanted to do design, especially working on different products starting from the product development itself.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TS : I founded Sakai design associates Ltd in 1992. After the economic crisis, many people lost their job, and I was one of them. Then, I spend one year in Australia. It is when I came back to Japan that I decided to open my Studio. Having a studio and doing design is a real opportunity to work on many different projects with other people, from different background and profession. This is what I also appreciate in this job.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TS : Design is a logical thing. For me, it is a tool to make benefits to the company. It is a balance between making benefits and creating products, that are respectful of the Earth and living beings.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TS : I like to work on different projects and work with many people. I like the balance between being able to work on the styling aspect of the creation process, and the direction, that permits me to work and discuss about the project with other people.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TS : I like mid century or older design. I like the designs which I can feel Intelligence from, and that makes me calm.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TS : My first design project was at the time I was working for Korg company. I had to create a small rhythm box. I really enjoyed creating, and I still do today. I think this is a happy job. Being able to work on different projects, having new challenges and meet new people everyday is a real chance.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TS : I don't have specific material, platform or technology I prefer. I like to experiment new materials and tools. Actually, every project is different and ask for a different answer. My favorite material or technology is the one that fits the project.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TS : I develop my creativity over a whole design process that leads to a good design. At the beginning of a project I chose a work linked to it and start to work with that word. This is how I get inspired.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TS : Each part of a design is important: the shape, the details, etc. I focus the most on giving the best answer to the request. I try to find if the elements fit correctly the concept.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TS : I am calm and happy when designing.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TS : I am satisfied of course.
DI: What makes a design successful?
TS : The ideal situation that makes a design successful is when the client, the users, the critics and I are satisfied.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TS : When I am judging my projects, and be able to consider it as good, they have to fill out as much criteria as possible. A good design is the one that is the closest to the 100% intended criteria, even though it is never going to be 100%.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TS : As I am concerned, I do not believe design can save the world, but I think as a designer, one should think about using less material as possible. One has to think about the reuse of the product and their impact on people and on the environment. I think that the best thing is to make something that people would like to keep for a long time.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TS : Many people talk about from “solution” to “suggestion” movement. It is exciting for me too. I think several different design styles, area and solution move forward together and mix. Design filed will be expanded if we can fit with new field.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
TS : My last exhibition was in 2015 for the exhibition in Ginza Mitsukoshi, where I presented Ring Holder. For the moment I do not intend on doing an exhibition.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TS : Actually, I first analyse what I have to do, what is the essence behind the project and then find a word linked to it. My inspiration comes from that word. After finding a word connected to the project, I then think about the design.
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?
TS : I would consider my design as logical. I am always trying to find the best answer possible with the design. My approach is to find a word that is linked to the project and then I start working with that word.
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?
TS : I live in Japan. Yes, I think my cultural heritage influence me. I think Japan culture is a beautiful open mind to design. Japan is a culture of doing things with a minimum. Everything is reduced. We don't really express our feelings nor we overdo things. So this is something that I really inherited from my culture. Small elements show more. What is really representative of that way of thinking are the Noh Theaters. These are theaters that always have the same scenery, which is a Japanese tree. The decor never changes, only the characters and the play express the feelings and tell the story.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TS : The main thing about working with companies is about the vision from the concept to the design. When a project start, both sides agree on a concept, but companies don't imagine the design. Then my role is to explain how the design is connected to the concept and then make the design into the market.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TS : Companies should care about their employees, the happiness of the user and the environment. They should not be too focused on money, otherwise it is hard to make great designs.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TS : At the beginning of a project, I first look around, seeking for something related to the project. Then, I analyse what my client wants, and start to draw in connection with the word I chose. Then, I submit two or three propositions to my client. While showing them my designs, I explain them what is connected to the project and the character of each. Then, they choose a design and we start talking about technical issues. After that I make 3D models to show to the technicians to see the feasibility. Many people are then concerned, such as the commercials, technicians, etc. I like to continue the work by seeing the different prototypes until the final model that will be launched.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TS : I have a container, for my bamboo Chasen, made of gourd for tea ceremony, that I find really fragile and delicate. I also like Lobmeyr glasses, a white sofa I designed, a painting of Yayoi Kusama and an English antique table.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
TS : I start working at 10:00. Then I start working, depending on projects. Sometimes I have to go to meetings, sometimes clients come to my office. I organise my days to fit the projects but also to keep time for myself and not be in a rush. Then, I stop working at 19:00. After that the time is mine.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TS : I would recommend to young people and young designers to travel as much as they can, eat anything, make new experiences. Experiences make design.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TS : I do not see any negative aspects of being a designer. I like my job. I can meet different kind of people, it permits me to think in many different ways and now more about new processes and factories. It is really a good job.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
TS : Enjoy your work.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TS : It is important to experience what you are going to design. If for example you have to design a tent, go camping. You cannot do a good design if you do not have the experience of it and what is all the universe attached to it. You have to watch, learn and do.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TS : I usually use a sketchbook with squares to evaluate the size and work with good proportions. I also like to use a propelling pencil to draw in my sketchbook. For the next steps of the conception I use illustrator, photoshop, and fusion 360 for the 3D modeling.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TS : I usually start at 10:00 and finish at 19:00. After that, the time is mine. I think that one of the most important things to manage your time, is not to forget yourself over work. Taking time for yourself improve the design quality. It can be really easy to be overloaded with work, so it is important to be able to say that you cannot do it and do not let clients put pressure on you.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TS : It depends on the projects, but usually it takes 6 months to 1 or even 2 years for a project to be done. I like to stay in the project until the end. I am interested in the quality of the finished product.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TS : What is your inspiration for design?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
TS : I would say my lifestyle itself. Experience new and different things is, directly or indirectly, going to help your design. If you are stuck in a routine and don't let yourself discover new things, your design is probably going to be bad.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
TS : I worked for Kai Group, POLA, Yamaha, Guzzini, at Aroma, Fuji Iryoki and other great companies.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TS : I really like "workshop style product development". Joining a company's team, with people from design, marketing, sales and product development departments, is really interesting. Being able to see how people can change, from a routine of conceptions towards a cohesion, and a new way of thinking, is satisfying.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TS : I would like to be a good teacher. I would like to be a teacher who is able to make students thinks by themselves and make them create new things.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TS : It depends on the projects. For styling projects I work alone, but for branding and product development I work as part of a team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TS : Basically I can’t talk about project with big companies due to contract.I recently worked on branding, including making menu, with Michelin star Chinese restaurant, which was really fun.To make a soup, and work on its taste, its packaging and graphism with a Tomato farm was also an happy project. I really liked working with food. The way of thinking is the same as product design but what you have to do is different.
DI: How can people contact you?
TS : You can join me by email : info@sakaidesign.com; Or by telephone : +813-6416-1030; And check my work on my website : http://sakaidesign.com/