We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Shogo Tabuchi ("ST").
Shogo Tabuchi is the founder of S5 Studios, a creative studio specializing in web design, interaction design, and UI/UX development. With expertise in visual art direction for video, stills, and illustrations, as well as front-end development, Tabuchi focuses on creating designs that bridge the digital and human worlds. His work spans a diverse range of clients, from artists and fashion brands to manufacturers and corporations, contributing to society by delivering innovative designs that offer fresh perspectives.
Shogo Tabuchi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Shogo Tabuchi.
Shogo Tabuchi Design - S5 Studios Website
Designer Interview of Shogo Tabuchi:
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?
ST : I have always enjoyed drawing and creative activities since I was a child. In university, I studied programming and had the opportunity to explore digital art and interactive design. I was fascinated by how design goes beyond aesthetics to solve problems and create new value for people. This experience was the defining moment that inspired me to become a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ST : S5 Studios, where I work, is a creative studio founded on five values: Shapely, Sharp, Skillful, Splendid, and Supreme. We handle a wide variety of projects, specializing in digital promotion and interactive design, helping artists, fashion brands, and corporations address their challenges.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ST : For me, design is the fusion of problem-solving and value creation. It is more than just aesthetics; it is a means to enrich people's experiences and contribute to businesses and society. Design has the power to visualize ideas and influence emotions and behaviors.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ST : I particularly enjoy designing for brand development and digital promotion. Interactive web designs and experiential installations are especially fulfilling because they allow for deeper connections with users.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ST : One of my favorite designs is the ON recruitment website. This project utilized dynamic typography and custom fonts to deliver an innovative web experience. What stood out was how effectively the company's message, "Unlock Your Fantasy," was visually expressed.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ST : The first project I designed was a website renewal for a small business. However, the first time I felt the true joy of design was when working on an official website for an anime.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ST : While my primary focus is digital platforms like websites and installations, my favorite tools are a notebook and a pen, which help me conceptualize and organize my ideas.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
ST : I feel most creative when conceptualizing new projects or collaborating with experts from different fields. Moments of intense focus before deadlines or after refreshing in nature also inspire particularly creative ideas.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ST : I prioritize the purpose and user experience of a design. Ensuring visual consistency, usability, and how the design impacts emotions and behaviors are critical. Additionally, I emphasize conveying the brand's message and story effectively.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ST : Designing evokes excitement, joy, and occasionally frustration. However, when an idea takes shape and provides value to clients or users, I feel a profound sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ST : When my designs are realized and receive positive reactions from users or clients, I feel a mix of fulfillment and gratitude. Witnessing how the design impacts and benefits people motivates me to take on new challenges.
DI: What makes a design successful?
ST : A successful design not only looks beautiful but also achieves its purpose and provides value to users. Consistently conveying the brand's message and delivering a sustainable impact are also vital elements.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ST : When evaluating a design, I first consider how effectively it fulfills its purpose. Then, I assess its visual appeal, usability, and the smoothness of user interactions.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ST : Designers have responsibilities towards society and the environment. This includes choosing sustainable materials and processes and conveying socially beneficial messages. Promoting diversity and inclusivity through design is also an important role.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ST : The design field is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology. The rise of AI and interactive design is expanding possibilities. I believe the future of design lies in transcending physical boundaries to deliver personalized experiences for each user.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ST : My next major presentation will be at Adobe MAX Japan in February 2025. I will give a talk on the co-creation of design and AI. This event is a fantastic opportunity to explore the future of design and share my perspectives and projects with a wide audience. Moving forward, I aim to showcase my work through interactive experiences and virtual exhibitions.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ST : I draw inspiration from avant-garde creators across fields, regardless of age or nationality. Recently, I often collect inspiration from Instagram, where diverse perspectives and creativity abound.
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?
ST : My design style combines refined minimalism with bold visual elements. I began exploring this style after realizing the power of design to convey messages intuitively. Its main characteristics include visual consistency, interactive engagement, and storytelling.
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?
ST : I live in Japan, and its cultural heritage, especially the spirit of "wa" (harmony) and minimalist aesthetics, greatly influences my design. The attention to detail and balanced designs are advantageous, but sometimes tradition can slow the acceptance of innovative ideas.
DI: How do you work with companies?
ST : I work closely with clients by clarifying project goals and objectives. I emphasize thorough initial discussions to understand their values and needs. Throughout the design process, I incorporate feedback to achieve optimal results.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ST : When working with a designer, it's essential for companies to look beyond the portfolio and understand the designer's process and thought approach. A good designer excels at solving problems based on objectives and possesses strong communication skills. Additionally, I recommend clearly defining project goals and expectations while fostering a culture of open feedback during collaboration.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ST : My design process involves the following stages: Research and Discovery: I begin by conducting thorough research and discussions to deeply understand the client's goals and user needs. Concept Development: I then create sketches and mockups to clarify the design direction. During this phase, I strive to visualize the visual design and interactions as concretely as possible, aiming to elevate the client's needs to a higher level.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ST : A painting by Teppei Takeda An illustration poster of "Zashiki Warashi" A Rope Chair by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec A vase by Boris Tellegen A NUJABES-inspired BE@RBRICK
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
ST : My day begins with brewing coffee and having a light breakfast of bread. I then open my laptop and spend some time surfing the internet for inspiration. Most of my day is dedicated to focusing on design, progressing multiple projects incrementally. In the evening, I relax by watching YouTube, and before going to bed, I enjoy reading a book.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ST : It's essential to find your strengths and keep learning continuously. Embrace feedback from others and adopt a fearless attitude toward challenges. Learning from failures and using them as opportunities for growth is equally important.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ST : A positive aspect is the ability to bring ideas to life and influence people's lives through creativity. On the other hand, balancing self-expression with client requirements or managing deadlines and budgets can sometimes be challenging.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ST : "Never lose sight of the user perspective." While beauty and innovation in design are crucial, the ultimate key to success lies in delivering value to users.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
ST : In addition to visual skills, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and a commitment to continuously learning new technologies and trends are critical for success as a designer.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ST : I use Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and Spotify as my main tools during the design process.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ST : I prioritize tasks by their importance and set clear deadlines for each stage. Accurate time estimation and planning a realistic schedule help me stay organized and productive.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ST : The duration depends on the scale of the project. Simple designs can take a few weeks, while larger projects may require several months to complete.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ST : I am often asked, "How do you find inspiration?" My answer is, "By staying curious and engaged with the world around me in everyday life."
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ST : My most important job experience was directing the art for the ON recruitment website. This project allowed me to go beyond traditional design norms and pursue a unique style that embodied the client’s values. The challenges I faced in this project significantly broadened my perspective on design.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
ST : My main clients include artists, fashion brands, manufacturers, and corporate clients.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ST : I enjoy brand development and interactive design because they provide an opportunity to simultaneously achieve visual beauty and practical functionality.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ST : I plan to deepen connections with talented regional and young creators within Japan's digital design community and foster a more vibrant creative environment.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ST : It depends on the project, but I often work collaboratively as part of a team. Collaborating with members who have diverse skill sets helps achieve better results and enriches the creative process.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
ST : I am currently working on branding for a company with over 1,000 employees. The project involves meticulous research to define the company’s identity, and I am now developing taglines and visual concepts. Please look forward to the final results.
DI: How can people contact you?
ST : You can contact me through my website. I also share my work on Instagram.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ST : Design is constantly evolving, and continuous learning is the key to success. I aim to keep challenging myself and exploring new possibilities in design.