We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Shota Urasaki ("SU").
Shota Urasaki is a designer for Yamaha Corporation. He was born and raised in Okinawa, Japan. He works as a representative of OKINAWA PRODUCTS. He presents designs primarily inspired by nature. He makes emotional product proposals. The goal is a design that is easy to understand and fun for the viewer. Will be exhibited at salone satellite of salone del mobile in 2022.
Shota Urasaki Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Shota Urasaki.
Shota Urasaki Design - Cloud Chair
Shota Urasaki Design - Mushroom Shelf
Designer Interview of Shota Urasaki:
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?
SU : I wanted to be an art teacher after graduating from high school. However, I find that I prefer suggesting my ideas to many people rather than teaching. I decided to become a designer after that.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SU : OKINAWA PRODUCTS suggests a design influenced by the nature of Okinawa. I am the representative of OKINAWA PRODUCTS.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SU : It's a great way to share a very positive feeling with many people.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SU : I was influenced by the design office Nendo. Their work is very important to me.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SU : I like all of Nendo's works, but it's difficult to decide the best. Because I was influenced by their way of thinking. I think purely like a child and think of my favorite design. The answer is "Miss Blanche" designed by Shiro Kuramata. It's an overwhelmingly beautiful and poetic piece.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SU : I am interested in various materials and technologies. I am particular about what I want to convey through the design. This is because various knowledge is necessary for that.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SU : It's a time of happiness. I can't come up with good ideas when I'm emotionally unstable.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SU : What I find important in design is the story of that design. I will consider shapes and materials based on that story.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SU : I have a feeling that my head gets hot when I concentrate. And then when I relax I come up with good ideas.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SU : It feels great when the design that I think of has taken shape. And I feel like designing from now on.
DI: What makes a design successful?
SU : It is a heart that never gives up. Designers need to spend a lot of time thinking about design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SU : The people who make things have many responsibilities. There are many things in the world. Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't design. To be honest, this is a big problem and I don't have an answer yet.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SU : I was planning to exhibit it on the "salone satellite" of "salone del mobile" in Milan in April 2020, but it was postponed to April 2021 due to the coronavirus.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SU : It's nature. The area where I live has abundant nature. My sensibility that I grew up there influences my design.
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?
SU : I live in Okinawa, south of Japan. It has a rich nature and unique culture.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
SU : It's a flexible idea.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SU : I will work as a designer at a company that manufactures Japanese musical instruments. And I will make a new work and present it at the design exhibition.
DI: How can people contact you?
SU : Please contact "urasaki.shota@gmail.com".