NATSKO SEKI Interveiw

Q1: Where did you study art for the first time?

I took Foundation Studies at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London for 1 year.

Q2: What was the reason for you to pick that school?

When I quit my job and thinking about studying graphic design, I decided to take a chance to study in England. I had some friends studying there, and known favorable reputation of that school.

Q3: What sort of things did you study while you were enrolled in the Foundation Studies?

I learned about various fields related to design in general for 1 year, such as space design, product design, fashion, textile, graphics, illustration, and so on. It was the year where I had to decide which field I was interested and which field I felt skillful at. In my case, although I had wanted to study graphic design when I enrolled first, I decided to further study illustration at the University of Brighton when I finished a year after.

Q4: We understand that Brighton is a city south of London. Why did you pick University of Brighton?

It was more English than London, and I was looking for some place where I could focus more on my studies. I was accepted by both Glasgow School of Art and University of Brighton, and it wasn’t easy to decide because both schools had good reputation for their Illustration Dept. Either north or south. I decided on Brighton because of the atmosphere! The city seemed cheerful and fun while it maintained some tranquility.

Brighton Beach(pic)

Many people hang out and walk around on this beach, not in their bathing suits even in the summer time. For the people living in Brighton, this beach is just like their garden.When you finish you class, you can just lie down on the beach, and then go back to school to start your work…

Q5: What sort of things did you learn at the University of Brighton?

We were given a lot of freedom to set up your own subject, and there were people who did quite a variety of things even in the Illustration Dept. I, myself, also searched for various expressions such as animation, film, packaging and so on. Rather than pursuing your own style of illustration, we were asked how appealing we could express a given theme. Ideas were the critical focus.
Also, along with the subjects, we had various technical supports. Classes of software like photoshop, illustrator and dreamweaver were popular, as well as traditional techniques such as silkscreen or letterpress. Everybody made good use of computer and challenged new techniques. One popular London illustrator, who was one of the tutors, was teaching photoshop techniques that were essential for his work, and techniques for silkscreen.

Q6: Do you see anything that you have leaned is helpful now for your work?

Techniques I have learned are all helpful now. While I was a student, we use to challenge each other and I believe that helped a lot to develop my creativity. The fact that Brighton had many antique shops and charity shops, and I had many chances to get in touch with antique things, reflects on my current taste of illustration.

Q7: We believe that illustrations in England have a characteristic of graphic image where digitalization has advanced. Has digital become a big characteristic in your work as well?

Yes, digital is a very critical element in my work. If we didn’t have computer, I would no be able to work as I do now as an illustrator. Computer has made it possible for me to depict various expressions, and I enjoy as much as I do with my hands. In the book titled “Secrets of Digital Illustration,” published by Rotovision in England, I introduced my techniques in several pages. In England, you may see quite often images where the warmth and characteristics of manual work are expressed intentionally by incorporating pens or pencils nicely while making full use of digital work.

Q8: It appears that you have been working with clients around the world. Do you find any differences in the clients in Japan and those in the West?

What Japanese clients expect for me is something of Western elements inside me. The fee for editorials seems to be low in Japan compared with other countries.

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