We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Shinjiro Heshiki ("SH").
He was born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, he moved to Tokyo and entered a design school. After graduation, he worked at a shop design office, where he designed restaurants, retail stores, apparel stores, and houses. He moved to Los Angeles LA USA in 1991. While living in the U.S., he worked as a bartender and club manager, while working in design for a living. This background in restaurants seems to have enhanced his design communication. And returned to Japan in 2001, Then he started his own company, emergene, inc. which is the predecessor of Conception, and has been designing restaurants, bars, cafes, clinics, retail stores, offices, houses, gardens, and other spaces in Okinawa Prefecture. Conception is a design and branding office that designs "Century Style" spaces that are still sophisticated after 100 years. Based on the concept of "designing hospitality space" based on human psychology, we create the "ideal space" by giving shape to our clients' ideas.
Shinjiro Heshiki Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Shinjiro Heshiki.
Shinjiro Heshiki Design - La Pina Distillery Amusement Shop
Shinjiro Heshiki Design - Helios Airport Brewery Amusement Pub
Shinjiro Heshiki Design - Nago Pineapple Park Winery Retail Shop
Shinjiro Heshiki Design - Sweets De Pineapple Theme Park Shop and Bakery
Shinjiro Heshiki Design - Hohobare Amahare Restaurant and Champagne Bar
Designer Interview of Shinjiro Heshiki:
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?
SH : Since elementary school, I have disliked the bright colors of white fluorescent light bulbs, and I was the kind of kid who replaced the light bulbs in my house by myself and made indirect lighting with them. I think I wanted to be a designer from that time.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SH : Conception is a no other DESIGN BRANDING OFFICE Which offers ideal space For your Life & Business with hospitality mind.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SH : Design is a magical tool that can unconsciously change people's lives in a positive and enjoyable way.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SH : Hotels, Hotel Restaurants
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SH : Bar and Resutaurant Because it is important to have a lighting design plan that soothes people's fatigue and mind.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SH : Cosmetics retail store.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SH : Fusion of Wood and Metal.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SH : When a design idea comes to mind.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SH : For zoning plans.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SH : It depends on situation.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SH : The feeling of handing over a child from a foster parent to a biological parent.
DI: What makes a design successful?
SH : Relationship of mutual trust.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SH : Lighting, color, shape, cost, all in balance.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SH : Use human psychology. In the case of residential design, it is possible to create a peaceful life. In the case of commercial space design, it is possible to stimulate economic activity.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SH : More design from real space to virtual space.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SH : The last exhibition was held in Naha City 15 years ago. No plans for the next exhibition.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SH : Traveling, watching movies.
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?
SH : Colonial Style Design Designs that are still innovative after 100 years.
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?
SH : I live in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. I don't feel any disadvantages. The advantage is the flexibility of colonial culture.
DI: How do you work with companies?
SH : I'm running a business.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SH : compatibility
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SH : Plane plan → Lighting plan → Design contents pickup → Material selection → Create CG
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SH : Sofa Key Chains Table Watches Bags
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
SH : Pass Point
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SH : You can improve your sense of style by seeing a lot of art, music, architecture, and real things.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SH : Since I am always seeking and searching for something to discover, I notice a lot, but on the other hand, I may not feel rested as often as I would like.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SH : Attention to lighting design Attention to the design of doors and windows Considering the importance of connection design, we consider windows and doors to be very important factors that connect space to space. Attention to green planning
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
SH : communication skills
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SH : i pad Applications Concept Stitch Pinterest etc.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SH : Using Google Calendar.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SH : 1 month to 6 months
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SH : What does design mean to you?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
SH : design mistakes
DI: Who are some of your clients?
SH : Restaurant owners, retail store owners, companies that commissioned office design, people who commissioned house design
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SH : I enjoy when the CG perspective is completed. Because I can see the possibility of it being as good as or better than I imagined.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SH : Collaboration with IT and game industries.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SH : Launching a new company by developing software that can create CG perspective in an instant when requested by a customer.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SH : A pineapple brandy brewery bar lounge planned in the same Nago Pineapple Park as the project we are applying for.
DI: How can people contact you?
SH : e mail or phone
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SH : None in particular.