We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Daisuke Kobayashi ("DK").
Find unique cutting in “why”. There are many different ways of thinking about design, but we try to come up with a clear, fresh, and memorable design from an unorganized state. Before designing, I start by recognizing the true state of the product or service and exploring the “why” in the client. By exploring the unique perspectives of “why” with our clients and considering every aspect of the design process, I create brands, packages, and other creative things that are fresh to my customers. And I am constantly evolving and adapting to explore new perspectives. Sukedachi Design was established in Fukuoka in 2013 with the philosophy of “helping people in need of design.” Currently, I am mainly active in graphic design, specializing in product and company branding, identity, and art direction. (“Sukedachi” means to use your own sword to help another samurai in revenge or rivalry situations during the time when samurai were active in Japan.) If you really need a design, I will be on the client’s side and help them in design, like a samurai who helps someone as a “Sukedachi”.
Daisuke Kobayashi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Daisuke Kobayashi.
Daisuke Kobayashi Design - Iki Retreat Kairi Murakami Brand Identity Redesign
Designer Interview of Daisuke Kobayashi:
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?
DK : When I was a child, I discovered that expressing something could make people smile. I also noticed that people involved in design always seemed to be having fun.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DK : SUKEDACHI DESIGN was founded in Fukuoka in 2013 with the mission of "helping those who need a design for their customers." Today, I specialize in graphic design, focusing on product and corporate branding, identity, and art direction. Whenever you feel the need for design for your customers, I aim to be the support you can rely on.
DI: What is "design" for you?
DK : Opening the door to someone's heart.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DK : A design that brings smiles to people's faces, like an award-winning medal.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DK : A design of objects or symbols.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
DK : An A4-sized flyer.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DK : Something that evokes a sense of light.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
DK : The moment when someone's heart's door opens.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DK : A design focused on evoking feelings rather than expressing answers.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DK : It feels like experiencing emotions filled with hope, just like a young boy's.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DK : A mix of excitement and the calm feelings needed to temper that excitement.
DI: What makes a design successful?
DK : A feeling of believing through and through.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DK : A design that includes whitespace to enhance the clarity of information conveyed.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DK : Making people who empathize with it smile.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DK : The methods of expression may have evolved, but whether the field itself is evolving is uncertain. If the design is bringing more smiles to people, then perhaps it is evolving.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
DK : During art school. No specific plans have been decided for future events.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DK : Natural and childlike, unbiased and clear.
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?
DK : Approaching the "Why" behind products or services and uniquely transforming it.
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?
DK : The land, air, visible landscapes, and serene people of Fukuoka, Japan, where I live, influence my approach to design. Japan has a cultural tradition of revering nature, which fosters an environment where inspiration can be drawn from daily life. I don't feel any shortcomings.
DI: How do you work with companies?
DK : I work together with the company's representative to identify the essence of what customers are seeking and then proceed with the design.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
DK : First, I will propose designs that approach the "why" by first establishing a shared vision that companies and teams can understand. If we prioritize designs that emphasize "why" rather than "what", I believe you will surely encounter excellent designers.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DK : First, I immerse myself in the experience of being a user of that product or service. The more tangible and specific this experience is, the higher the resolution of the final design when it is completed.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
DK : A glasses. Cat art. Eames chair. A model of a Japanese sword. An Aroma Candle.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
DK : I spend each day cherishing time so that I won't have any regrets even if I were to die tomorrow.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DK : Failures are for oneself, successes are for others.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
DK : A designer's strengths lie in their ability to create something from scratch and accumulate diverse insights through interactions with various industries, which can be applied to innovate new expressions. On the downside, stress and motivation levels can significantly impact their creative output.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DK : Adapting to human behaviors and emotions, and permeating into society.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
DK : Building a shared vision through communication with clients and team members.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DK : Meditation. It allows you to organize your emotions.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DK : I manage my time while believing in myself, aiming to maintain high motivation as much as possible.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DK : 3 weeks to 2 months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DK : Many clients ask me, "How do you think customers will feel about this design?”
DI: What was your most important job experience?
DK : The Design of the winning medal for the World Aquatics Championships.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
DK : People such as local businesses, local universities, individuals striving to enhance regional values, and those engaged in product development.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DK : It's a job where I can communicate directly with the representative. This allows for a straightforward understanding of the design that the company is seeking.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DK : Our branding.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DK : I take responsibility for developing the design.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
DK : A cat art project.
DI: How can people contact you?
DK : Inquiry from the website contact form.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
DK : We are all Earthlings, living alongside various creatures. I want to create designs that contribute to making the Earth a more compassionate and habitable place for future generations.