We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Aihara Nico ("AN").
An illustrator who works in a wide range of genres, including illustrations for websites, books, goods design, etc. In addition to color illustrations drawn by hand with a pen that are then painted with Photoshop, she also works on line drawings, featuring a retro-inspired style regardless of whether it is a Western or Eastern drawing
Aihara Nico Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Aihara Nico.
Aihara Nico Design - Horyukaku Illustration
Designer Interview of Aihara Nico:
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?
AN : I have always loved drawing since I was a little child. I drew a lot of characters from anime, manga, and video games. I also liked drawing pictures of plants and animals. However, I only started working in design after I got married and quit my previous job.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AN : Our job is not only to provide necessary functions and characteristics, but also to use a variety of colors and shapes to appeal to people's sensibilities. At the same time, it is also a process that allows me to connect with the work of great designers of the past.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AN : I especially like handcrafted designs that give a sense of beauty and nostalgia.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AN : Drawing illustrations has been my hobby for many years, and I used to design New Year's cards and other things myself. Someone saw it and asked me to design a New Year's card, and little by little I started receiving requests for illustration and design work.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AN : Paper and fountain pen
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AN : I give importance to the impact and beauty of the moment people see the works for the first time.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AN : When I'm designing, I'm concentrating, so I don't get too emotional. However, I often worry about how to look good.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AN : I'll never be completely satisfied, but I'll keep improving until I think I've done a pretty good job.
DI: What makes a design successful?
AN : Beauty and comfort that make people want to take a closer look.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AN : The first thing I think about is whether the part I want to show most can be seen without stress.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AN : Any design is a learning from the past, so I believe we have a responsibility to pass on as much as possible to the future.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AN : How to properly utilize AI is undoubtedly a major challenge. I welcome technology that supports human creation, but it must not infringe on anyone's rights.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AN : After my maternity leave ends, I would like to participate in an exhibition in Japan within two or three years.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AN : When it comes to design, the things that give me the most inspiration are the works of creators from the Art Nouveau period and Japanese ukiyo-e prints. I read art books by my favorite creators over and over again. And I am always researching how I can create works as appealing as theirs. I also learned a lot from Japan's excellent design during the Meiji and Taisho eras, when Western culture entered Japan.
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?
AN : One of the characteristics of my style is that my illustrations are hand-drawn with intricate lines and colored. Another feature is the harmonization of traditional Japanese culture and European design elements.The clear outline, reminiscent of ukiyo-e, and the taste of an old Western picture book make my works quite unique .This style was inspired by my desire to draw women in kimonos like Alphonse Mucha.
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?
AN : I live in Osaka, Japan. Japan has a lot of wonderful classical literature, and I often draw illustrations based on them. There is a wide variety of traditional crafts, and one of the benefits of living in Japan is that you can easily come into contact with designs from various eras.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AN : I start designing with paper and a 0.3mm drafting mechanical pencil. I draw it with a pen and finish it off with Photoshop.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AN : I am working as a freelance illustrator and designer in Japan. I can communicate in simple English.