« Katsuya Iwamoto | News Top | Ichiro Shiomi »

January 22, 2007

Ichiro Nishiwaki

We are not looking to hear out client`s say, "You`ve designed our space BEAUTIFULLY!"
We`re happier to hear our clients say, "You`ve designed our space PROFITABLY!"
The most important aspect of commercial design for us, is that our clients make a profit from our designs.
-Mr.Ichiro Nishiwaki



The 2nd edition of 'Feature Designer` presents an interview with Mr.Ichiro Nishiwaki, the president of Ichiro Nishiwaki Design Office, Meguro-ku, Tokyo,

With a unique and creative approach to the industry of commercial interiors, Ichiro Nishiwaki Design Office boasts a wide range of clients from boutique and retail, to restaurants and salons and many more.

We find out what it means to Mr. Nishiwaki to be so involved with the world of interiors.

Career
1984.03 Graduated from Kuwasawa Design School, Interior Design Major
1984.04 Worked for Naoki Iijima Design Office
1991.09 Established Ichiro Nishiwaki Design Office
1994.04 Part-time instructor at Kuwasawa Design School
1997.06 Established N-Planning
2006.05 Changed name to Ichiro Nishiwaki Design Office,inc.
2006.05 Changed name to N-Planning, Inc.




"Working as an independent designer for 15 years, what has made designer Ichiro Nishiwaki and how?"
Since my childhood, design became so natural and familiar to me.
My relatives worked with design near where I used to play, which was where I got my first real taste of the design industry.

The more familiar design became to me, the more i appreciated it. My interest levels grew quickly and I soon appealed to all forms of creativity within design.
At such a young age, my dream was already set on becoming a designer.


“How did your journey of design bring you to interiors?”
After graduating from high school. I got a part-time job that gave me the opportunity to visit many coffee shops, karaoke bars and pubs, which at the time were not places i would attend regularly.
As I went from place to place, I would experience a variety of interior designs and ambiance's which left a great impression on me.

Window displays were also another key factor in helping guide me towards the right path of design. I was highly inspired by fashion complexes in the Shibuya area that catered for designer brands like Comme des Garçons and Issey Miyake. It felt right to focus my efforts and excitement through interior design.

It was already my ambition to be an independent designer, but before I could reach my goal, I had to work for a design office where I could gain the opportunity to learn and understand everything I needed.

To become a captive designer or even a secondary designer in a top design company was never my intentions. I was soulfully set on working for Ichiro Nishiwaki Design and I would do everything I could to achieve this.
With this in mind, I set out and soon found a position within Mr. Naoki Iijima's newly established Design Office.

To date, I owe what I am to that decision to work for his Office. If I had joined a famous design office with a long established reputation, it would have become second nature to work towards becoming the secondary designer there.


　


“Do you feel there is much difference between design in Japan and design in other countries?”
I have worked in foreign countries and their projects are fundamentally different from ours in Japan. Cultures vary from country to country.
During international projects, its very important to discuss our ideas in collaboration, than to present an idea. A project is more likely to be successful with clients' influences and ideas.
Negotiations and contracts can often take some time too, so team management is also highly important.

Of course, I want to continue to send more and more messages out about Japan and Ichiro Nishiwaki designs. Those messages are different depending on the receivers, but I really hope some unknown aspects of Japan and our unique, new ideas will attract and inspire an increasing number of people in the world. For example, if others see our delicate and sophisticated use of lighting in our tradition, they may be influenced in other countries to change and adjust to suit in the same way their cultural designs have influenced ours.


“...and finally, what makes the Ichiro Nishiwaki Design Office run so successfully and what are the company goals for the future?”
I am designer as well as a manager. I work my business management and media exposure strategically with a high regard for success and commitment.

I will often appear on media programs to promote our designs, but sometimes I may avoid the attention if I feel it will not benefit the company to its greatest ability.

I organise and associate well with major brands and often obtain jobs through our large network of contacts.

We aim to be a company that delivers not only EXCELLENT design and service, but also one that creates EXCELLENT business for our clients offering practical solutions including finance and assistance. In addition to the success of our designs, we also hope our designs will contribute towards sales.

For the future, we at Ichiro Nishiwaki Design Office will continue to provide a professional and enthusiastic service and will strive to excel ourselves each and every time.




Ichiro Nishiwaki Design Office
ADDRESS : Itochu ENEX Building 3F, 1-24-12 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
URL : http://www.nishi-d.co.jp/

entry dj : January 22, 2007 9:53 PM