Interview with Hikoko Ito

I run a small company, a cultural enterprise which focus on the creation of artworks/designs/products that combine contemporary aesthetics with reinvented cultural (Japanese and Chinese) elements.

To design something is to make various possible versions of that thing. Each version is different but all should be sophisticated in its own way.

Public furniture.

My favorite design is a public seating which I designed especially for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's establishment. It is celebratory, memorable and possesses an optimistic character that leads the city to look towards the future. Not only does the seating fulfill functional /aesthetic purposes and embrace community involvements; it also contains culture-specific elements that Hongkongers can identify with and relate to. Most of all, it conveys meaning, a much-needed message of happiness to encourage positivity in a city that repeatedly fell short on the global ranking of happiness level, and hopefully helps make Hong Kong become a more joyful city in the coming years.

an interior

Wood and Metal

During my travels and whenever I get to experience something new.

Besides the general functional and aesthetics aspects, I tend to focus on the details design that will enhance the user's experience.

excitements, anticipations and of course also stress.

Satisfactions

I considered a design successful when the users and the clients are pleased with the results.

Its visual appeal, ease of use, overall concept and the attention to details.

to maximize the uses of and benefits from our limited resources, and to improve our quality of life.

I think the future of design is to better address major issues we face. From climate change, aging population to VR, AR and AI. and

My last exhibition was in Paris. However, my work was last shown in Venice at the Venice Biennale (Architecture), and in Beijing and Hangzhou at the Hong Kong and Macau Visual Art Biennale. I'm planning to have my next exhibition in South Korea next year in 2020.

I draw my inspirations from daily encounters and also from my travels.

My designs are of modern form and contemporary aesthetics but also contain deeply-rooted cultural elements that the target users can identify with and relate to. Only through a journey of exploration that people get to experience and appreciate the details as well as the embedded meanings.

I currently live in Hong Kong, a city that combines eastern and western culture. In this metropolitan city, I'm able to enjoy the best of various cultures via music, movies and of course designs. My works are often infused with references drawn from my mixed (Japanese-Chinese) heritage and multi-cultural exposure.

usually just be meetings and site visits when needed.

I suggest to communicate clearly to the designer about what you want. Even to show him/her examples of other designs just to point the designer in the right direction.
select a designer whose style of works are in syn/compatible with your brand/company image.

1.Get everything right at the beginning
Ensure about requirements (from clients), expectations (from end users), as well as resources and time aspects before commencement of design.

2. Concept and initial designs
One or more concept proposals are developed. Meeting with the maker or materials suppliers when necessary. The concepts are then presented to the client for feedback.

3. Fine-tuning and implementation of the selected scheme
The selected proposal would then be further developed with more attention to construction/execution and details .

Eames chair, custom designed work station, antique sideboard, B&O TV, Muji shelving system

I start my day with a healthy breakfast at home, going through news and updates on design websites while eating, then dive into work. Occasionally taking a walk in the park as an after lunch break. I work till the evening then go on to prepare dinner ( I enjoy cooking). When I don't have a pressing deadline, I will tend to relax after supper, do some reading or watch a movie before I go to bed.

Always aim for quality and pay attention to details. Whenever possible, try to do something new!

Positives: as a designer, we create things that can directly improve/impact peoples lives.
Negatives: unlike an artist, who are less constrained in the sense of creative freedom, a designer has to accommodate/satisfy more requirements from various people, and often need to compromise in many ways on the final product. A design is the result of inputs from not only the designer, but also the client, and the manufacturer/maker/contractor.

form follows function, function follows (human) needs.

Observant, visualization, problem-solving, organization and communication

SktechUp and AutoCAD.

I will spend more time on prep works before commencing the design process. To better communicate with the clients to ensure the essentials and to go the extra mile in arriving a good initial design so as to minimize the need of re-designing down the road.

It really depends on the project. I have developed good designs in less than 2 days and at times as long as a month.

Can you do both?

I greatly value the experience of working at one of the biggest design firms in Hong Kong where I have met people with different backgrounds and areas of expertise who helped me learn and grow in unexpected ways.

Shang Xia by Hermès
Art Promotion Office of Hong Kong
HongKong Posts
Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Singapore
Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency Ltd.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
ISF Academy Hong Kong

I have designed buildings, interiors, furniture and graphics (from books to stamps), but I have greatest satisfactions in creating designs for public places that can engage and interact with even more people.

While I will continue to create designs for clients, as an artist, I will keep exploring new visual dimensions for my Chinese-character-pattern artworks.

I developed all the designs by myself. However I often incorporated in them original Chinese characters patterns by my late father Sun Chan.

I'm now at the Rong Design Library in Hangzhou China for a one month artist/designer residency. I will be working with local artisan craftsmen in the local village to create a piece of design that combines contemporary aesthetics and and traditional craftsmanship.

I could be contacted via email ito@artwowgroup.com and hikoko@gmail.com