I Want to Create an Open-Source System──Yanagimoto

YanagimotoTo start, do you engage in any "sales activities"?

HashizumeI don't really do sales activities. Previously, Åbäke (a design studio based in London, and Hashizume's tutor during his time at the RCA) mentioned in a lecture we organized that "many of the projects we've been involved with have stemmed from relationships cultivated over a long time, including our time at the RCA." I strongly resonated with that. At the same time, as I'm currently focusing on creating "spaces" and the opportunities to collaborate with new people I meet are increasing daily, I feel that these encounters are becoming bridges to new work.

YanagimotoI host a next-generation drinking party called "Real Nakanishi" that involves a large number of people, and we have participants from various fields each time. The other day, I was discussing open source and components with someone at "Real Nakanishi." For example, when agencies plan projects, casting is often driven by name recognition. However, even famous creators aren't omnipotent, so not all jobs are suitable or compatible with the client. Nowadays, the quality of work is prioritized. Therefore, we propose that participants of "Real Nakanishi" present their manifestos and then select individuals who can properly analyze and manage the situation. This allows us to package and pitch to clients, saying, "Design by XX, product by YY, promotion by ZZ..." Of course, this must be based on personal connections. I believe "Real Nakanishi" has a lot of potential for generating good outcomes, such as people meeting for the first time and hitting it off, or finding others with similar philosophies, and some projects are already underway. I want to create this kind of open-source system now.

HashizumeIt's important to have a "space" first, and then deepen communication, isn't it?

YanagimotoLooking back, I think the 2000s were an era of "withdrawal." The spread of the internet allowed individuals to express themselves, but they couldn't create phenomena. Reflecting on that, I believe that since the 2010s, online communication has also begun to emphasize the importance of the interplay with the real world. Phenomena are essential to break through stagnation. But to create phenomena, you need to connect with people. I feel that people who withdrew in the 2000s are starting to turn their attention outward.

Personally, I think this is a very interesting time──Hashizume

HashizumeNaturally, Japanese people don't inherently seek very open relationships. I wasn't particularly social myself until I moved to the UK, but once I started studying abroad, I was influenced by how most people value proactive communication, like "meeting people first" or "talking before deciding" on anything.

YanagimotoIn the 90s, people were more outward-looking, seeking these connections and gathering in clubs and cafes. They were taking action to communicate.

YanagimotoSo, regardless of the era, the foundation lies in communication.

HashizumePractically speaking, if we take book design as an example, the choices were very limited, such as whether to use matte or glossy paper. But now, designers can choose from an incredibly diverse range of papers. At the "first step," we can discover various possibilities. Furthermore, beyond just paper, we can create a unique book by incorporating diverse elements such as content, layout, weight, and time. What's happening here is the same thought process I consider when creating a "space." It makes things genuinely enjoyable. While there's talk of a crisis for print media due to the spread of e-books, I believe new potential can be found not only in the structural aspects of books but also by connecting books with things that previously seemed unrelated. I think it's a great era, including for book design work.

YanagimotoThat's precisely why designers are also being asked to have editorial skills, isn't it?

Mr. Hashizume, what are your future goals?──Yanagimoto

HashizumeExactly. I was greatly influenced by the book "New Editorship" (by Shigeko Toyama, published by Misuzu Shobo). It states that editorial skills are indispensable for cultural creation. Therefore, I believe "editing" is necessary for designers, chefs, poets, and anyone in any field. I previously organized an event called "BOOKS HOP" (a project related to books initiated by graphic designers and editors; for the first event, as part of an art fair, a hotel room was transformed into a bookstore, and they handled everything from selecting books to distribution and sales). While there wasn't much actual design work involved, a designer's perspective and their unique approach to editing were essential. Mr. Yanagimoto, I'd like to ask you: what should we call this expertise in editing diverse elements across genres, as exemplified above? I think it's no different from what is recognized as an "editor" today...

YanagimotoIndeed, there isn't a word that perfectly fits. Currently, as seen in institutions like SFC (Shonan Fujisawa Campus of Keio University) and ischool (The University of Tokyo's new educational system), departments that cut across traditional disciplines like economics and arts are emerging. Given the demand, such educational systems are likely to increase in the future.

HashizumeI want to keep an eye on those kinds of movements too.

YanagimotoBy the way, in the Middle Ages, "categories" didn't really exist. Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, a doctor, and a scientist. In other words, people were associated with many things. Around the time of the Industrial Revolution, with the abundance of information and goods, things became inconvenient. Consequently, encyclopedias, like "Britannica," were born. When things are categorized for convenience, humans tend to be aware of crossing genres because they exist. But it was different in the past. With the advent of the internet, different genres began to connect, and as they matured, the boundaries between genres were broken down. So, Mr. Hashizume, what are your future goals?

HashizumeWell... as a culmination of the various activities and ideas I'm currently pursuing, I want to create a place myself, much like the coffee shops of the post-war era, where a diverse range of people can gather and new cultural creation can emerge from their interactions. And if I could spend time surrounded by music, books, drinks, and dear friends, I'd want for nothing more (laughs).

YanagimotoThank you for your time today.

So Hashizume

Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1978. Graduated from the Department of Visual Communication Design at Musashino Art University. Completed the Master's program in Communication Art & Design at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in the UK. After returning to Japan, he has been involved in numerous projects, including art direction, book design, and web design, in fields such as art, architecture, and fashion. Recently, he has also been actively involved in planning workshops and events that cross various domains.
http://www.sosososo.com/