Interview with Tsuyoshi Omori

I became a designer because I wanted to give a shape to my inspirations. The fact that some of my amateur creation were really appreciated by others motivated me to design.

It was my own choice.

I mainly design posters, books, CI/VI, packages and web.

They should create more than several test designs.

A good designer is functional and pass necessary information to users in a quick and appropriate way. In addition to that, a great designer is more emotional and can enrich user’s life.

I strongly believe that a good design is something unique and minimum (removing all unnecessary things).

I believe that good designs allow us to make tomorrow better, and what is more, to change the world. That’s why people should invest in creating good design in general.

I would like to invest my time for someone who respect and embrace my ideas or design.

I have no idea.

I’ve got inspired by two people especially, my senior in my university and the CEO at my previous company.

I admire Hideki Nakajima and Hideki Inaba.

The key is to believe in oneself, keep designing, and have a challenging spirit and capacity for that.

I would have become a calligrapher or a teacher (mathematics or Japanese, I guess).

Design should be functional and emotional.
Design should have a beautiful style.
Design should be unique.

The CEO at my previous company helped me a lot in pursuing my career.

I have stuck to carry out what I envisioned.
Additionally, I consider myself very lucky to have met great clients.

I think the obstacle in that sense was myself.

I think designers should present their works to those who are not designers.

I am currently working on the public relations activity for NPO who is aiming for the registration of the Hansen’s Disease Hospitals in Japan on the World Heritage List.

They can expect a sense of humor and an ability to solve various business problems through designing.

Design can create a better society through bringing an awareness to people and stimulating their curiosity.

I am challenging on a mission whether designing can help bring a society that is free from prejudice and discrimination.

I would like to see the media featuring design works would be more diversified. Also, I expect the working environment for designers would be improved.

I believe the demand for design will increase in all fields.

It depends.

I start a new project by meeting with the client.

My motto is getting through a mission until I accomplish it.

I think it is on a case-by-case basis.

Technology serves as a means of giving a concrete shape to ideas.

I use Apple’s iMac, Adobe Illustrator CC and Adobe Photoshop CC.

They play an essential role in differentiating designs.

Actually, as long as people get interested in my design, any type of questions are very much welcomed!

I feel astonished first, and right after that, I often feel envious in my mind.

I don’t have a design partner right now, but when necessary, I always get help from many specialists in each field.

The CEO at my previous company

I was greatly influenced by the books, such as “Divine Proportion” by Priya Hemenway, “Da cosa nasce cosa” by Bruno Funari and “RE DESIGN” by Kenya Hara.

I have been trying not to give up being creative and get through goals whatever the circumstance, which I believe helped develop my skills.

I would like to meet with the deceased Mr.Korin Ogata, Japanese painter and designer of the Rinka School as well as my ancestors.

Korin Ogata （Japanese painter, lacquerer and designer of the Rinpa school）

I am pretty happy about the awards I have received. I consider such awards and recognition provide means for me to meet new clients or design opportunities, rather than just becoming famous, which I know is not easy especially in this field.

My favorite colors are black, white and turquoise blue.
My favorite places are my home and the 21_21 DESIGN SITE（Tokyo).
My favorite food is Korean food with beers!
My favorite brands are Alexander McQueen and Maison Martin Margiela, just to name a few.

Keep getting inspired helps make my day. That’s why I am proactively applying for various design competitions both domestic and international. Watching documentary works of great figures or successful persons helps motivate myself.

No, I had never thought about that honestly.

I suppose humans will live outside the earth as long as technologies allow us to do so.

I would like to meet with people outside Japan who are interested in my design and work with them in a near future.

My company, triplet design, inc, was established when I came to Tokyo at 29. We are mainly involved in consulting, design and creation for CI/VI, advertising, sales promotion and products.

It is a motivation in my everyday life and represents me.

I am not particular about what I design. I would put more focus on
whether clients are reliable or not.

My favorite design is the music video for Bjork’s ‘All is Full of Love’ that was created by Chris Cunningham. I was shockingly amazed by how he mixed organic and inorganic things.

My first design work for a company was a supermarket’s discount seal!

I like any type of transparent materials.

When designing, I put more focus on concepts or ideas.

I always come and go between calmness and excitement.

It depends.

I believe that you must not give up until you achieve success.

Firstly, I consider how much impact it can bring as the first impression.

A designer needs to accurately grasp given situation and hold one’s own view.

I think a designer’s ability to optimize design to diversified media along with technological evolution would become more and more important.

My last exhibition "Specimen & Letterpress" was held at SHIBUYA PUBLISHING & BOOKSELLERS in TOKYO in 2018. The next one hasn’t been fixed yet.

Though it is not easy to explain, I feel that all the experiences I’ve had until today serves a drop of inspiration for my design.

I would say my design style is made of simplicity, straightness and intentional blank.

I am pretty sure that my life in Tokyo significantly affects my designs.
We can apply our ancestors’ wisdom or ideas that are embedded in our cultural heritage to today’s problem-solving process.

When I work with companies, I focus on continuing to confirm shared objectives.

I suggest that the process of discussing and exchanging opinions with designers are really important.
I also would like to remind companies that designs that are done by designers who miss emotions are just ‘decoration’ even though they have a high level of technique.

My design process is on a case-by-case basis.

My favorite design items at home are a Sisley Cabinet, Herman Miller’s Aeron Chair, Jean Prouvé’s Potence, Bang & Olufsen’s Audio Speaker and Pelikan’s Pelikano Jr.

I expect that I can learn or discover something new everyday.

First of all, I would suggest to develop their own views and keep polishing them along their career path.

As the positive side, designers can reduce one’s assumptions and soften one’s head and heart. As the negative side, designers tend to be too absorbed in design creation process to keep regular hours.

My “golden rule” in design is to observe given situation closely and patiently, avoiding to provide an answer immediately.

I believe ‘compassion’ is the most important skill for a designer.

I use Adobe Illustrator CC and Adobe Photoshop CC on Apple’s iMac computer.

I always try to set aside sufficient period of designing time before starting a project. Additionally, to start a day, I check my daily to-do list to make sure I can complete within moderate working hours.

It depends.

I’m often asked about how I would share my ideas with others, how I would make a presentation about my designs, and in reality, quotation for my works!

I cannot pick one. Rather, all the work experiences matter to me.

My clients list includes BENESSE CORPORATION, RICOH, KOTSU SHIMBUNSHA, NIPPON ANTENNA.

I enjoy designing things that are simple and can spark user’s imagination.

I would like to challenge myself to provide design works that can bring awareness of social issues to users.

Basically, I carry out design process by myself. However, if necessary,
I often invite other specialists such as photographer, copywriter, web engineer to discuss and receive their feedback.

I am currently working on the public relations activity for NPO who is aiming for the registration of the Hansen’s Disease Hospitals in Japan on the World Heritage List.

Please contact me via email.