We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative SATORU NAKAHARA ("SN").
He is a teacher and photographer. He captures both works from design perspectives. In his photography, he takes pictures of his curiosity and creative mind when he feels the beauty in casual scenes of everyday life. He hopes that anyone who watches his photos will feel in their mind that the story will begin. Contributing to human creativity and creating the view of the world are his eternal theme and his pleasure.
SATORU NAKAHARA Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by SATORU NAKAHARA.
SATORU NAKAHARA Design - Dramatic Photography
SATORU NAKAHARA Design - Dignity Photography
Designer Interview of SATORU NAKAHARA:
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?
SN : Now I think I'm an artist who likes photographs and announces my works on the website. But In the near future, I want to be an artist who can display my works at the private exhibition and photographic inventory, every possible means. And became a photo designer with my style for realizing and forming the client's demand.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SN : It's is like a private design studio in my home.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SN : Design is the image of inspiration with spring up from within. And that is intensifying to the most simple message that forming and refining with his ideal and way of life, the client's images and demands.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SN : Photo albums and works, Self-portrait, Promotion works, CD jacket, Everything on earth and time
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SN : Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn wokrs, Johannes Vermeer works,Mr.Micheal Kenna's all his photo works. Mr.Michael’s all Haneke Works.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SN : Hearing to withdraw their demands and images for looking to their future.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SN : camera and personal computer
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SN : It is the time when the light expression my envision comes out and when I was able to reproduce the inspiration inside.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SN : the balance of the light and the composition
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SN : A feeling of being satisfied, but a feeling of soul shaving
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SN : It' my pleasure.
DI: What makes a design successful?
SN : To find the most beautiful time and composition are hidden in the subject and to concrete or shaping them.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SN : It is time to get the light I envisioned.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SN : A work that even one person can sympathize with beauty.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SN : From now on, one of the design fields is that the merging with human and nature, the universe
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SN : I have not had my exhibition. But if it is possible, I would like to have it in the cool season.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SN : Its sudden rises from inside. But I like to appreciate paintings and light.
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?
SN : Taking a picture considering the composition of light and shadow. Feeling like drawing a picture while taking a picture and changing the exposure.
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?
SN : I live in Numazu near Mt.fuji in Japan. Our cultural heritage has eternity with thoughts of those who lived that time. I would like to express and shape it in my works.
DI: How do you work with companies?
SN : Contact by Email and online web meeting. if I can go to companies and clients, I would like to go to their office to talk and taking photos of their images.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SN : Do we have sympathy and respect for beauty with each other?
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SN : 1)Outside or inside taking a photo when I feel the light is beautiful. 2)In this time considering the composition of light and shadow. 3)Changing the exposure with feeling like drawing a picture.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SN : 1)My daughters work in childhood. 2)My family photography 3)My cameras 4)Home lighting 5)Whitewall
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
SN : When I wake up, I feel light. Next to going to my workplace, I feel the air. When the sun goes down, I enjoy the last light. Last I appreciate all before going to bed. That everyday life is the repetition of my life
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SN : Please don't be afraid of being different and express what you feel as you want to. I would like to feel and learn many things about your works.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SN : Life is long and short. So as intellectual curiosity goes, make yourself comfortable simply. Evaluation is decided by others.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SN : Can you feel the feeling and atmosphere of that time from the work?
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
SN : The pursuit of beauty in the form of thought
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SN : Digital Camera(Olympus and Canon), LaptopPC (Windows), Adobe photoshop, Home Lighting
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SN : I think it is possible. In the morning time and night time is my creative time. And holiday and long vacation time are the same.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SN : It is a very short time. Perhaps within 30 minutes. Because it was my family photo in the Maldives.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SN : Is this a drawing or taking a picture?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
SN : All. My works and Job, Family travel, All of them are opportunities to get inspired and the encounter between light and beauty.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SN : photography and pictures, movies. Because I can enjoy the works of any time and overtime.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SN : I want to open a solo exhibition and to go to the world to take a picture.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SN : I want to try both.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SN : I keep taking pictures and want to renew the website and enhance it. Next to my theme to express myth and eternal time inside my works.
DI: How can people contact you?
SN : Please send the Email to me. Now I can use an online meeting system, like ZOOM and Meets, skype, Facetime, but I'm not a good speaker in English.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SN : Nothing, Great thanks for hearing me. I got a chance to deepen my thoughts. I'm looking forward to talking about the work someday.