We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Tsutomu Kitazawa ("TK").
Tsutomu Kitazawa is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Tsutomu Kitazawa Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Tsutomu Kitazawa.
Tsutomu Kitazawa Design - The Oracle Illustration
Tsutomu Kitazawa Design - The Sacred City Illustration
Designer Interview of Tsutomu Kitazawa:
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?
TK : I have loved drawing pictures since I was a child. I wanted to be a "painter" in the future, but while studying painting, I became interested in design and set my sights on becoming a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TK : I mainly work with concept art for video games and films. I also specialize in graphic design.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TK : It is one of the methods that provides the best ideas to our clients.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TK : I like designs that express the world of video games and other productions.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TK : I like environmental design of AAA-level video games.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TK : I don't remember exactly, but I think it was a commercial film design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TK : I prefer to use PHOTOSHOP, 3D tools, and photobashing.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TK : It is when, after much trial and error, a sight that I have never seen before appears.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TK : I think about how sincerely I can work on my challenges.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TK : I feel very fulfilled.
DI: What makes a design successful?
TK : It's about being aware of the client and not interpreting things in a selfish, convenient way.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TK : It is whether the core of the problem has been solved.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TK : It is to firmly use the special ability to contribute to society.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TK : Designers will have to coexist with AI technology.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
TK : Tokyo, Japan in July 2024. The next opportunity is undecided.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TK : These are various events in the history of the world. This is not particularly limited to artworks.
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?
TK : Research is the most important aspect of my design. Based on the research, I start constructing an original world view. I do not simply start with a visual design. I start with a text-based worldview, and then begin a visual approach.
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?
TK : I live in Japan. I am not influenced so much by Japanese cultural heritage, but I am greatly influenced by Japanese pop culture.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TK : I work as a designer, and I receive jobs directly from them. It is a good relationship that I have been able to get projects from certain clients for more than 10 years.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TK : I think companies should choose designers who can be cordial and sympathetic. It is not about what the artist has to offer, but about how much they can use their design thinking for companies.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TK : The first step is research. After that, I draw rough sketches based on the materials, but the research still continues (until the final process).
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TK : Art book by Syd Mead「KRONOLOG」 Art book by Syd Mead「OBLAGON」 「Bloodborne Official Artworks」 「ELDEN RING OFFICIAL ART BOOK」 「DARK SOULS III DESIGN WORKS」
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TK : We must respect the basics and persevere in our efforts. There is no other way.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TK : The good thing is that every day is a series of new tasks. The bad is that every day is a battle against new challenges.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TK : It is the power of imagination. It is not drawing ability or technique.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TK : ADOBE PHOTOSHOP 、ZBRUSH、Blender
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TK : I set deadlines: one day for research, two days for rough design, one week for design work, etc.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TK : 2 to 3 weeks.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TK : How can I get better at this? How can we create designs that sell? The question is.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
TK : It is the experience of involving in Fromsoftware,inc.'s "ELDENRING" as a concept artist.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
TK : Fromsoftware,inc. is the best customer.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TK : It is the concept art of video games. It is the most flexible and the most esoteric.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TK : The next goal is to translate and release art book "ORACLE" in many countries around the world.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TK : We are working as a team, but I am the one who does the design work.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TK : We released our first art book "ORACLE" in December 2023. It is only available in Japan, so we are looking for a publishing agent in each country so that we can translate and release it in other countries around the world. Please contact us if you are interested. AmazonJapan URL https://amzn.asia/d/0ZviLni Here is a sample of the art book "ORACLE.Please take a look. https://shopro.tameshiyo.me/9784796873727
DI: How can people contact you?
TK : Please contact Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions by e-mail. Mail：kigawa-rokudai@shopro.co.jp
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
TK : We are currently developing "art book ORACLE" in various media. We expand the illustration works in various directions – mainly in art book, autograph sessions, work description on YouTube, sales of reproductions, and so on. Please look forward to our future activities.