We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Masato Kure ("MK").
1985 Born in Jiangsu, China 2008 Bachelor of Environmental Design, Tama Art University 2009- TONERICO:INC. 2014- TONERICO:INC. Chief Designer 2017- Established THE TRIANGLE.JP/President
Masato Kure Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Masato Kure.
Masato Kure Design - Znong Shu Ge Book Store
Masato Kure Design - Deji Cultural Complex Museum
Designer Interview of Masato Kure:
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?
MK : Initially, I wanted to be a fashion designer. However, as I became more concerned with the environment I create, I came to believe that environment and atmosphere are essential to fashion. Therefore, I became interested in designing environments that present fashion.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MK : Our design studio is dedicated to designing exciting commercial spaces that make your heart beat +10 BPM. We start our design process with a thorough understanding of the client's business and brand philosophy, concept, and history, and then proceed from careful planning to understand the direction in which the client is headed and to realize that direction. Our goal is to provide a comfortable space that is exciting and inviting from the moment you enter it. We are always sensitive to the latest design trends and technologies, and we provide our clients with the best possible design to meet their needs. We value the importance of changing and evolving with the times, and we do not create a fixed style, but are constantly updating it.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MK : Space design is a place that gives people experiences.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MK : Being needed by someone is a happy thing. More than any design, it is important to know how much one is needed.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MK : Installation of Hermes by Tokujin Yoshioka utilizes wind to make the scarves dance naturally and accurately showcase the suppleness and softness of the scarves.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MK : office design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MK : White space, wood grain, detailing design.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MK : when making a meal.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MK : I focus on the emotions I feel when I am in the space as a guest.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MK : I am conscious of thinking about things from a bird's eye view first, rather than starting from the design.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MK : Supervising not only the design but also the construction.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MK : Usability.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MK : I believe that long-life design is the way to think about the environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MK : I believe that collaboration across specialties, not just one field, will make design more perfect.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MK : We held a group exhibition of young Japanese designers in Shanghai from 6/2-6/26.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MK : Repeating many trials and errors.
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?
MK : I live in Tokyo. The advantages of this city are its cleanliness and the coexistence of tradition and innovation. I think the clean and lean lifestyle influences our designs.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MK : I take on work as an outside designer.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MK : We do everything in-house, from concept design to basic design and construction drawings.