Dirtybarn Interviews Kenichi Kuromaru: Distinctive Approach with Shape, Detail and Typography

As Dirtybarn, we constantly search for great works, artists, and techniques. We love hearing about their experiences, stories, backgrounds because it gets easier to understand there is no definitive, single way to be a successful designer. Every designer, every creative has a different journey until they reach a certain recognition. We want to champion this idea and support whoever we can, we’ll be pursuing a short interview series. Hope you will find something interesting for you in them. Our first guest is Kenichi Kuromaru. We enjoyed our conversation with him and hoped you would feel the same way!

What is your background and how do you describe your progress so far?

Kenichi Kuromaru: I was born in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, in 1985. When I was a student, I was positively affected by Shigeo FUKUDA who was one of the leading Japanese graphic designers. He uses a trick of the eye in most of his works. They are seemed to be configured simply, however, I think that we can enjoy his expression deeply due to it. After graduating from junior college, where I learned about graphic design, I started to work as a graphic designer in 2006. Now, I’ve been a member of homesickdesign LCC since 2018.

I’m good at making a design with typography expression. One of my favorite expressions is mixing the Japanese letters and the Roman alphabet. As you know, Japanese letters consist of three letters such as Chinese characters, Hiragana, and Katakana. In addition, we use the Roman alphabet in our daily life. So, you may think that the culture of Japanese letters is complex. Based on this premise, I have tried to make a new impression with these Japanese letters. Furthermore, I have skills in geometric expressions and I have tried to make the volumetric representation with a 3D rendering application. I wanted to find a method to coexist with new and analog textures in advanced 3D expression.

How do you find your own way to express yourself? And why do you choose this typographic vision in your designs?

Kenichi Kuromaru: I think that most of my expressions are based on some ideas accumulated over the ages which have disappeared in the process of making one certain design at that time. After a while, I felt those rejected ideas were so fresh and better than the last time I saw them. In other words, I’m influenced by my own ideas when I make designs. The reason why I chose typographic visions in my designs is because I always hope people who saw them will be excited and stimulated through my works. To give an example, I try to focus consciously on both of clarity and ambiguity when I make typography expressions. In other words, I ask myself, “Do you intend to let someone read these letters as letters or as one figure?” In this way, I distinguish them and use effective ones depending on the projects.

What are your priorities while working?

Kenichi Kuromaru: In terms of making designs, I put my emphasis on the first impression. I mean that I often put my priority on simple ideas before planning certain concept works such as some keywords and sentences to describe that project.

What is your primary source of inspiration?

Kenichi Kuromaru: My primary source of inspiration is my commuting time in the morning, maybe. I use my car as transportation, so I look forward to passing a mountain path every weekday morning 🙂 In addition, I think it is also important to have time so I can feel free to think or not think about something. In my opinion, however, this time doesn’t affect my work directly.

What are your plans for the future? What is the next achievement you set for yourself?

Kenichi Kuromaru: First, I hope to improve my skills in making 3D expressions and motion graphics. Secondly, I’d like to explore the measure of AI-powered design. At all. Thanks.