We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Takatoku Nishi ("TN").
He is fascinated by the transitory yet intense beauty of the ever-changing, fleeting scenes that nature produces. He finds the atmospheric optical phenomena contained in these scenes and reconstructs them through 'materials' and 'structures'. It creates a spatial experience that we have never experienced before. He consistently faces the mystique of light, while at the same time keeping in mind the 'Atmosphere.' those drifts from the work. The Atmosphere is created by harmonising the work and the environment surrounding it. The artwork serves as a medium to bring the spectacle of nature closer to us.
Takatoku Nishi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Takatoku Nishi.
Takatoku Nishi Design - Ripple Multifunctional Architecture
Designer Interview of Takatoku Nishi:
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?
TN : In my childhood, I was in a family environment where we moved very often. I was looking at architectural drawings all the time and became very particular about buildings. Because of this influence, I dreamt of becoming an architect when I was nine years old.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TN : Takatoku NISHI | Constructor・Phenomenon Creator・Ph.D. He is fascinated by the transitory yet intense beauty of nature's ever-changing, fleeting scenes. He finds the atmospheric optical phenomena contained in these scenes and reconstructs them through 'materials' and 'structures'. It becomes a space of light, creating a spatial experience that we have never experienced before. One of the characteristics of the work is that it does not simply imitate nature, but uses geometric forms to give people a different impression from the organic forms of nature. Another characteristic of his work is that he incorporates the forces of nature, such as the sun and wind, into his artworks, creating new scenes that he creates together with nature. Takatoku NISHI consistently faces the mystique of light, while at the same time keeping in mind the 'Atmosphere.' those drifts from the work. This is interpreted as the true nature of the unique qualities of space that cannot be sensed through paintings or video images. The Atmosphere is created by harmonising the work and the environment surrounding it. The artwork serves as a medium to bring the spectacle of nature closer to us. They also remind us of the events that take place in the here and now and the concept of time, evoking the beauty of a familiar reality.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TN : Design is an act of purpose.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TN : Works in which the natural environment and the space resonate with each other.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TN : Lighting works. It created darkness.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TN : Wood, acrylic, glass, etc.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TN : Atmosphere.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TN : Whether there are differences between the theme of the work and the actual.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TN : It is inspired by the scene created by natural phenomena.
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?
TN : I am continuing my research on the subject of 'light space'. My idea of light is light produced by natural phenomena. To achieve this, I focus on optical phenomena. Another important element is the force of nature. The space I create uses optics, structural science and meteorology.
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?
TN : I live in Tokyo, Japan. What I am aware of as my influences are the world of Japanese gardens and tea houses. In particular, I actually incorporate the 'MITATE' method into my work. One of the advantages of living in Tokyo is the easy and immediate access to high quality materials. Also, various books are translated into Japanese and I have almost no trouble with my work. The disadvantage is that Japan does not place much importance on art and research. You can get a glimpse of this compared to other countries.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TN : Repeat research and experimentation.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TN : Repeat research and experimentation.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TN : Based on previous experience, the minimum time required is two weeks. The longest is two years.
DI: How can people contact you?
TN : I prefer to be contacted via my website or via Facebook.