Following My Passion for Design
- What first sparked your interest in digital creativity?
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It all started with drawing. When I was in elementary school, I loved sketching, reading manga, watching anime, and collecting album artwork. Before long, I wanted to create things of my own. I never had any formal training—I simply taught myself because I enjoyed it.
That said, I didn’t immediately pursue a career in design. I was equally fascinated by nature and wildlife, so I studied Forest Resources at university, learning about wood and other natural materials. I genuinely enjoyed the subject, but I could never quite let go of my childhood fascination with making things.
Eventually, I decided to step away from job hunting and dedicate myself to learning design instead. My father was an illustrator, and since our home computer already had Adobe software installed, I began teaching myself from there.
- Why did you choose the computer as your creative medium?
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I enjoyed drawing on paper, but I felt that the web offered a much larger canvas. The same goes for 3D—it opened up entirely new ways of expressing ideas. Of course, I was also thinking realistically about career opportunities and the future of the industry.
Moving to Canada to Learn English and Programming
- Did you teach yourself web design as well?
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For the first six months, yes. After that, I joined a small app development company in Tokyo, where I worked on in-house products and gained practical experience. Later, I was seconded to a subsidiary of a major IT company and worked as a UI designer for social games. Eventually, though, I decided to move to Vancouver on a working holiday visa.
- Was that because you wanted to work overseas?
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More than anything, I wanted to learn English and programming. Looking back, it was a pretty reckless decision. I was trying to learn an unfamiliar language and an entirely new technical field at the same time. Still, while attending both language and programming schools, I landed an internship as a programmer. Including the time I later spent freelancing, I ended up working in Vancouver for about two years.
- Do you feel that your experience abroad has been useful to you?
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I’m glad I had the chance to really struggle and push myself through some difficult choices. In Japan, I had always felt that things were supposed to go the way you wanted them to, but living abroad made me realize that, of course, that’s not always the case (laughs). Honestly, I don’t think there was anything negative about the experience at all.
It changed my personality, too. Before going abroad, I think I used to worry too much about things that didn’t really matter. Take the way I dressed, for example. I was always conscious of how other people might see me, but the people around me there really didn’t care about that kind of thing at all. It made me rethink the way I saw things and realize, “I should just wear what I like.” And I think you’re definitely happier that way.
Seeing Design Through the Lens of Structure
- After returning to Japan, you joined INFOCUS. What were your first impressions?
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I first discovered INFOCUS after seeing its work featured on Awwwards. The website immediately caught my attention—it felt bold and unlike anything else. At the same time, I remember thinking, “Everyone there probably has a huge personality… I wonder if I’ll fit in.” (laughs) In the end, though, curiosity won out, and I decided to apply.
- What was it like after joining?
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I realized it was a team of true craftspeople. Everyone is deeply committed to their work and constantly refining what they create. That’s what allows INFOCUS to consistently produce the kind of bold, distinctive design it’s known for.
- Did you join as a front-end engineer?
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Actually, no. I started as a web designer, splitting my time fairly evenly between design and coding. Gradually, I shifted toward front-end engineering. Part of that came from my own changing interests, and part of it was because there was growing demand for engineers within the company at the time. These days, I’m writing code most of the time.
- What do you think makes front-end engineering a good fit for you?
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Having worked as both a web designer and a front-end engineer, I think the biggest difference lies in how each discipline approaches design. As a designer, you’re focused on translating ideas into visuals using design tools. As a front-end engineer, you’re thinking about those same designs structurally—how to build them so they function as a real website. I don’t know whether that means I’m naturally suited to engineering, but I never found that way of thinking difficult.
Another thing I enjoy is that every new technology you learn expands what’s possible. Of course, that also means you’re constantly studying. (laughs)
Recently, I’ve become interested in 3D experiences, so I’ve been spending my free time learning Three.js and WebGL.
Appreciating Great Work for What It Is
- You mentioned copying manga, anime, and album covers as a child. Which artists inspired you?
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For manga and animation, I loved AKIRA and MEMORIES by Katsuhiro Otomo, as well as Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama. Musically, I listened to bands like Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Green Day, Story of the Year, Radiohead, Björk, and above all, Saosin.
- Do those influences still shape your work today?
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I wouldn’t say any one artist directly defines my creative approach. But growing up surrounded by so many different kinds of work helped me develop an appreciation for quality, regardless of genre. If something is genuinely well made, I want to recognize it for that. One thing I’d add is that I’m actually not that interested in creators themselves. What matters to me is the work. If the work is great, that’s enough.
- That’s a very open-minded way of looking at creativity.
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In web design, whether it’s beautiful typography, bold interactive motion, or something playful and cute—if it’s executed well, I find all of it compelling.
That’s the mindset I try to bring to every project I work on.