We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Akiko Yamashita ("AY").

Akiko Yamashita is 3d Artist from Japan lives in Los Angeles. She brought light and colors to the city. She is focused in projection mapping, 3d animation and light art.

Akiko Yamashita Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Akiko Yamashita.

Designer Interview of Akiko Yamashita:

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?

AY : Before I started doing lighting design, I used to be a professional dancer. Making dance show got me into editing music and videos, choreography and stage design. I remember first time I saw projection mapping, I was astonished by a projected light can alter one's perception. With a lot of helps from my designer friends, I taught myself 3d software and animation.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

AY : I'm an visual artist myself. I am specialized in immersive media art such as lighting design, projection mapping, 3d animations. I also work for a company called VT Pro Design as an associate creative director in Los Angeles. Working with other designers, engineers, programmers and builders really inspires me to come up with new installation ideas.

DI: What is "design" for you?

AY : I think good "design" makes world better. I like to challenge designing as simple as possible. It is also very important to focus on the most important core concept of what the design need to serve.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

AY : I like designing site specific, preferably public art installations. I like creating some lights that brings people together, and make them want to sing or dance, or any other expressions that inspires them to do.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

AY : Artist James Turrell's 'Skyspaces' are my favorite design. I have been to one in Houston Texas for a sunrise show in a freezing cold day by myself. You are observing the sky color changing along his light color changes. It was the most meditating experience I had and I felt like my mind was clear after the experience. I am very influenced by his works.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

AY : I designed an animation for New Year's Eve projection mapping in Los Angeles. I created neon inspired L.A. iconic palm trees and skylines that was projected to the 140 meter tall City Hall.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

AY : I like working with light as a medium, such as led lights and projections. I also like prisms. I use software called TouchDesigner.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

AY : Everyday!

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

AY : I focus on flow of people who would be experiencing my design.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

AY : Love, excitement and precision. I like studying anything that's related to what I'm designing for. I get to know new things. I'm always hungry for leaning.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

AY : Makes me want to create more.

DI: What makes a design successful?

AY : Less is more.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

AY : I consider both aesthetic and functionality first. Both are equally important when it comes to design for me.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

AY : A designer is responsible for keeping things beautiful. That also means keeping this earth good place for not just humans but also trees, animals the whole eco system. My grandfather makes forest. I feel that will be my lifework as well.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

AY : I think you don't have to come from an art school to be a designer. Anybody have a potential to be a designer and all the tools are more and more accessible for everybody. Development of 3d software and better graphics card will make visualization more capable.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

AY : 'Portal' is a permanent installation that is still ongoing today. This year I am planning on more exciting projects. I'd like to create more interactive light art.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

AY : Whole nature is a source of my creativity. Especially light itself, sunrise/sunset the color of the sky is a pure inspiration. I also really like prism, glass and mirror. I have been always intereted in reflection and refraction.

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?

AY : My design is geometric and colorful. I started from doing projection mapping so creating optical illusion with light is my favorite thing to do.

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?

AY : I was born in Japan and now I live in downtown Los Angeles. I am highly influenced by light and space movement by James Turrell and he is very popular here in L.A. I think art and design is very appriciated where I live. People are open to new ideas.

DI: How do you work with companies?

AY : I work for a production design company called VT Pro Design and we work with cooporate clients. We take their needs and turn into some experience that's unique for each project.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

AY : There is always a chemistry so I think believe in your guts is my advise. Good designer must be a good lister, and would have right questions.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

AY : I start with reserch, look for inspiration and references. Then I make renderings in 3D software.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

AY : Wood counter stool from Crate & Barrel, Mabef easel, Ableton Push, Tokyo Bike, iPad

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

AY : In the morning, I make almond milk from scratch and make smoothies. I enjoy taking care of my plants. Then I take a bus to my work listening to music, my favporite kinds are electronic music and dub techno. At work I direct design team, making 3D renderings and animations.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

AY : Be nice to people. Keep on trying. Opportunity comes from something you never expect.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

AY : Positive part is being able to see and notice details. Negative is cannot ignore when something is bad.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

AY : Follow the structure, don't break law of physics.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

AY : Love what you do.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

AY : My go to software are TouchDesigner, Houdini and Adobe suite. Hardware I use computer, I need powerful machine with good CPU and GPU. I have a lot of art and design books, expecially architecture is very interesting for me. Parametric modeling is really fascinating.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

AY : I am careful not to take too much projects at once. I work hard in general but I also enjoy vacation.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

AY : Depends. Can be couple of days to couple months.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

AY : How did you become a designer?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

AY : When I got to work for Morphosis Architects I got to learned a lot and I gained confidence after the job. It was a projection mapping installation that made me going to Switzerland. It was my first time to go to Europe and my view to the world expanded from there.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

AY : Google, Nike, Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment, George Clooney's Casamigos, Pharrell Williams at Coachella Music Festival, Blade Runner 2049, Morphosis Architects, Sony, Redbull, Boiler Room, United Nations HQ, Linkin Park, deadmau5, HVOV, Dillon Francis, A Rocky, Daddy's Home, Kaskade, LinkedIn commercial, new year's countdown at Los Angeles City Hall, Greystone Mansion and more.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

AY : I enjoy public light art installation the most. I love when people are dancing and having fun at my piece.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

AY : I would like to hold my solo exhibition.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

AY : I develop design myself.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

AY : I am designing some visual artworks for Drumphilia, he is a talented musician lives in Berlin. His new album is coming up this summer.

DI: How can people contact you?

AY : You can reach me via email. aki@aki3d.com