Interview with Tsutomu Kitazawa

I like to use my design abilities to solve "problems".

I chose to become a designer by myself.

I have done concept art for video games such as "Bloodborne" and "ELDENRING" in the past.
I would like to continue doing concept art for AAA level video games.

To prepare for the opportunities that are sure to come your way in the future, do not be in a hurry, but steadily build your career, step by step.

A great designer is someone who is always actively searching for a solution to a problem.
A great designer is someone who has hundreds of different solutions in stock.

It is that the projects have many elements that accurately solved the problem.
Frankly, without being inside the project, it is difficult to judge whether “the design is good or not”.

It is my own large-scale solo exhibition.

Careful research and a vast library.

Mr. Syd Mead.

My favorite is "SPINNER" by Syd Mead. It was created with a very conceptual mindset.

It's my "art book ORACLE". It is an art book which is unlike any other I have ever seen.

I think it's about expanding your input outside of design. In my case, it was movies.

I might have become a painter.

It is like a problem-solving puzzle. When you arrive at the correct answer, you feel a sense of accomplishment.

My mentors from my commercial Filmwork helped me. My wife is my biggest supporter.

The balancing skills were extremely helpful.

It is low basic skills. I have strengthened that

It is important to spread your work extensively throughout social networking sites.

We are looking for a strong partner agency to translate and market the art book "ORACLE" worldwide.
We are looking for a strong partner agent.

Here is a sample of the art book "ORACLE.Please take a look.
https://shopro.tameshiyo.me/9784796873727

To be an artist.

I believe that we are always expected to express ourselves with originality.

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.

It is a concept art project for the video game ELDENRING.
The game has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

https://www.eldenring.jp/

We do not expect major changes. Good design is universal, and we would like to see it evolves.

We will move toward a world of coexistence with AI.

Some are completed in one month, while others take up to five years.

The first step is careful research.

I believe that the more difficult a project is, the greater opportunity for growth I can get.

It could be both.

ADOBE PPHOTOSHOP、ZBRUSH、blender

It is an element that accurately conveys information and is a condition that enriches the viewer's mind.

Simulate the author's thinking that led to this design.

a member of Fromsoftware.

Mr. Syd Mead.

It is KRONOLOG, an art book by Syd Mead.

I actively participated in challenging projects.

I feel very honored to receive the awards. I believe that fame will naturally spread if you create good works that you are satisfied with and release them to good medias.

I start each day with the intention of finding new ideas.

I had no idea.

I can't imagine it at all, but I hope the culture of design remains.

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.
Please contact Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions by e-mail.
Mail：kigawa-rokudai@shopro.co.jp

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

I mainly work with concept art for video games and films.
I also specialize in graphic design.

It is one of the methods that provides the best ideas to our clients.

I like designs that express the world of video games and other productions.

I like environmental design of AAA-level video games.

I don't remember exactly, but I think it was a commercial film design.

I prefer to use PHOTOSHOP, 3D tools, and photobashing.

It is when, after much trial and error, a sight that I have never seen before appears.

I think about how sincerely I can work on my challenges.

I feel very fulfilled.

It's about being aware of the client and not interpreting things in a selfish, convenient way.

It is whether the core of the problem has been solved.

It is to firmly use the special ability to contribute to society.

Designers will have to coexist with AI technology.

Tokyo, Japan in July 2024. The next opportunity is undecided.

These are various events in the history of the world. This is not particularly limited to artworks.

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.

I live in Japan. I am not influenced so much by Japanese cultural heritage,
but I am greatly influenced by Japanese pop culture.

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.

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.

The first step is research. After that, I draw rough sketches based on the materials, but the research still continues (until the final process).

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」

We must respect the basics and persevere in our efforts. There is no other way.

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.

It is the power of imagination. It is not drawing ability or technique.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP 、ZBRUSH、Blender

I set deadlines: one day for research, two days for rough design, one week for design work, etc.

2 to 3 weeks.

How can I get better at this? How can we create designs that sell? The question is.

It is the experience of involving in Fromsoftware,inc.'s "ELDENRING" as a concept artist.

Fromsoftware,inc. is the best customer.

It is the concept art of video games.
It is the most flexible and the most esoteric.

The next goal is to translate and release art book "ORACLE" in many countries around the world.

We are working as a team, but I am the one who does the design work.

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

Please contact Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions by e-mail.
Mail：kigawa-rokudai@shopro.co.jp

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.