InterviewPower of People

Since my father was an architect, I grew up around blueprints and developed an interest in design and architecture early on. When I just graduated, I was looking for a job in architecture or development and landed a position with a company that developed condominiums. However, I was placed in sales. Since I enjoy talking to people, I found sales to be quite enjoyable, and I even considered continuing in that field. But then I remembered my original desire to work in a creative role, so I took a leap and switched to a position as a designer at an exhibition design company. I had studied a bit of design in university, but for the most part, I learned everything from scratch at that company. As I grew more experienced and had the chance to design exhibition booths, I developed a desire to work on bigger projects and meet the expectations of more people, so I started looking for a new challenge. That’s when I found KOGEISHA, a company where I could do everything I had set my sights on.

Less than two months after joining KOGEISHA, I was entrusted with important projects. Currently, I work on about 10 projects per month, and at peak times, up to 20. Managing multiple projects simultaneously can be challenging, but it’s also rewarding. When I begin a design, I don’t immediately draw layouts. Instead, I start by setting the project’s purpose and goals with clarity. I believe design is there to achieve those goals, so I like to delve deep.

I’m often asked to come up with a concept for the overall design. When thinking about concepts, I make sure to avoid anything that can be said in words but not visualized. For instance, words like “luxury” and “high-end” come up a lot, but those words can lead to numerous different ideas, causing the design process to scatter in multiple directions without reaching a clear conclusion. So, I make it a daily habit to focus on ideas that deliver a design which truly align with the client's vision Whether it's during my commute, walking around the city on my day off, or checking the flow of foot traffic in stores, I’m always looking for inspiration. When the concept I’ve carefully thought through perfectly matches the actual design, it’s incredibly satisfying.

At KOGEISHA co., Ltd., we have many different types of salespeople—some prioritize speed and push projects forward rapidly, and others meticulously focus on details. Working while surrounded by this variety of people has expanded my skills as a designer. Being exposed to different ways of thinking allows me to discover new approaches I hadn’t considered before.

Once, while participating in a competition project, I designed a booth in colors completely opposite to what the client had requested. Normally, I wouldn’t have made that design choice, but the salesperson I was working with was full of progressive ideas, and his enthusiasm encouraged me to make the decision. In the end, the client loved our proposal, and we won the competition. That experience of being pushed to try something new and seeing it succeed was truly rewarding. Having experiences and opportunities like these make me feel that I’m growing as a designer, and I know it’s thanks to working at KOGEISHA.

I’m currently working on my first full event decoration design, which has been one of my long-standing goals. Honestly, it’s a new and unfamiliar area for me, but I’ve always wanted to work on large-scale projects, so I’m thrilled. Only at KOGEISHA would have I been able to take on such projects after just a year and a half. Thanks to the company’s size, reputation, and built-up trust, we receive many requests for basic setup every year. This is one of KOGEISHA co., Ltd.’s strengths. I also believe that design work thrives on trust. By steadily building confidence in my own abilities as a designer, I hope that clients will place more trust in KOGEISHA co., Ltd. This desire to be trusted is what drives me in my design work. I wouldn’t say that I’m the type of person who is confident when it comes to the things I create on my own. That’s why I find KOGEISHA co., Ltd.’s team-based approach of creating “something great together” to be a perfect fit for me. I’m incredibly grateful for the current environment where I get to work with and be inspired by so many professionals. Even the older staff at KOGEISHA co., Ltd. are always working alongside younger members, actively involved in the hands-on work. I hope that when I reach my 40s and 50s, I’ll be able to mentor younger colleagues while continuing to work alongside them to create great things—both as a manager and as a hands-on player. That’s the kind of designer I want to become.