Kuwasawa Design Institute, Department of Integrated Design
"Don't think about it so much, you only know the result if you do it."
#INTERVIEW
Q: Congratulations to Mr. Cai for passing! Tell us a little bit about your exam experience!
A: Hello everyone, I'm Xiao Cai. After I graduated, I came to Japan to study at Yokohama Design Institute. After the intelligence design of Tama Mei University was dropped, preparations continued at Yokohama Design College and private school, and then passed the Kuwasawa Design Research Institute.
Qualified works of Cai students
Q: Why didn't you continue to enter the university and decide to take the Kusanagi?
A: I majored in networking and new media in college, and it may be more related to Tama's intelligence design. However, when I first came to Japan, I did not have a very good plan, so I went to the university with the big stream. But after failing Tama's intelligence design, I realized that the intelligence design was not suitable for me. Because I am not an art major and my basic design ability is relatively weak, I do not dare to try graphic design exams. Gradually, I realized that even if I was really admitted to a graduate school, the research results of the projects completed at the current level would not be satisfactory. I should probably have cemented my design foundations more. So rather than going to graduate school, I think maybe a faculty or a vocational school would be more suitable for me.
Q: Then why didn't you go to the Faculty?
A: Not going to the faculty is a matter of time. The Faculty takes four years. Sanze's time of study will be shorter, and its curriculum may be more practical for future work.
Qualified works of Cai students
Q: So why did you choose to apply for tokyo art academy?
A: I first went to the private school introduced by the language school to audition, and the effect of the audition was very unsatisfactory. The course teacher they auditioned to didn't answer any questions I had at all. He just said you have to change this thing, but didn't give me some trust that made me think he made sense and that I could change it according to him. Then it was two of my college classmates who chose TADA. Under their recommendation, I also read some push articles on public accounts, such as exhibitions and introductions to designers, as well as some courses in book making, which I think will actually be used. Trusting this side a little more, I chose TADA.
Qualified works of Cai students
Q: Why did you choose to study in Japan at that time?
A: I actually mentioned it just now because I think my foundation is very weak. Graduate students in Europe and the United States for about a year, in the past, directly do research, that may be less for me to learn. In Japan, the study time will be longer, the things you can learn will be more, and the cost performance will be higher than that of Europe and the United States. In addition, if you say that Japan is geographically closer to China, it is more regular and calm, and I think it is quite in line with my living habits.
Q: Has the pandemic affected your exams and your life?
A: A good influence is on my work. Some of the works were only conceived because the epidemic could not go back. For example, this cat picture book. It is that the epidemic cannot go back in recent years, so it has some sense of separation from the country. Based on the sense of loneliness brought about by the sense of separation, I think it can be reflected in your portfolio, and in the process of making works, it can be expressed.
But the less serious effect is that people who need to communicate with the outside world and contact people in China may feel a little uneasy. Originally, when I was studying in Japan, I needed to be mentally prepared for a long-term battle. The epidemic cannot go back, and you must face the challenges you have to accept in a relatively isolated state abroad. Everyone should be prepared for some psychological preparation, and may be a relatively isolated state in the future, to accept this reality.
Q: Can you introduce the work you just mentioned in detail?
A: That work is a children's picture book that introduces the meaning of the Qingming Festival. The protagonist of the picture book is a black cat. Because in China there is such a saying that black cats can see ghosts. And then I think it could be a bridge between the dead and the living. I named this picture book "メッセンジャー", a bridge, such a name for the communicator. Qingming Festival is a traditional festival of inheritance and exchange. Therefore, I hope that everyone will also cherish such an opportunity to communicate with the deceased.
Qualified works of Cai students
Q: Can you say, what preparations did you make for Kausanze?
A: The first is writing. The composition is written with reference to our senior Yu. First, I have a general understanding of the structure of the article. Then choose something that you're really interested in and want to evaluate, and don't write it in a rigid way. When I was writing, I first Chinese write the outline first, and then write it out in Japanese. After writing it out, give it to the teacher of the language school to revise it repeatedly to make the writing more fluent. Because The title of Sanze's essay is fixed every year and is submitted at the time of the wish. There's a lot of time to make changes before then, so it's good to get it done in advance.
In addition, it is beneficial to put more sketches and some color compositions in the typesetting of the portfolio. Although Kuwasawa began to study such a place after entering the school, it is important to show in the portfolio that a determination and enthusiasm to apply for this school are important.
Then there's the interview, where there's a five-minute presentation. I was looking for a teacher to practice about three or four times to make sure it was about five minutes. Talk about the main works and straighten out the logic. For example, the picture book I just said, when I was doing it, my motivation was that there was no way to go back because of the epidemic. Because of the lack of communication, make sure to present the softness of the children's picture book when drawing, these things you have to say clearly, so that the teacher understands what you have done.
Finally, prepare for the interview questions that teachers often ask. Including why did you come to Japan, why did you apply for Kuwasawa? And then what do you want to do later? What is the direction of your future research? The most memorable is that you want to become a graphic designer after being asked, so what aspect do you want to study in depth? I was thinking about designing in paper media. Then maybe the teacher will ask you for an example or something. Of course, Mr. Kuwazawa was better at the time of the interview, but there was always nothing wrong with preparing more.
Qualified works of Cai students
Q: Do you remember what questions you asked that day?
A: Actually, all I ask is prepared questions. For example, why did you come to Japan, why did you report to Kuwasawa, and what you want to do in the future. You may also ask about the content of the composition, and you may also ask about the content of the portfolio. I feel like if I speak clearly enough, I won't ask too much. There is also a rule that Kuzagze has a rule that only one a4 size portfolio can be brought with him during the interview, and other things cannot be brought. I was very impressed, there was a girl she brought a lot of things, she brought a suitcase, brought an easel, was stopped and written down, and it was quite frightening. Anyway, just follow the instructions on the official website, don't do too much.
Q: Is the essay written to impress you with a design? So how do you write it?
A: I was writing noritake. He was involved in the packaging of a skincare product owned by Geseido. This one was chosen because of its strong impact, simple blue-white thick line stroke illustration in this style. It stands out from inside a bunch of beautifully packaged skincare products. Then my original major was the Internet and new media, in fact, many of the courses were exposed to some research data collection and collation content. I think that this kind of painting idea of deleting complexity and simplicity is good, and the idea of packaging design is actually in line with my original profession. Keep some features, and then delete some of the excess information. So the impression on me is quite deep.
Noritake works (source network)
Q: Do you think there is anything that you find particularly difficult when preparing for the exam?
A: What is particularly difficult is that it is strictly implemented according to the plan. If you encounter a situation where making a portfolio at home is very protracted, be sure to change the environment. Go to the library or go to school and let yourself be removed from the lazy environment. Go according to the plan, rather than waiting until the end to complete it. It's actually something everyone says, but it's really important. I was only a week or so before the exam that I actually did the typesetting. Although it has caught up, there is still a lot of room for revision in typography. Not enough time to leave some regrets. It's best to follow the plan, and if you can't finish it, find someone to supervise you.
There is also language is also a problem for many students. Try to take all the things that should be tested in China, and after coming to Japan, train your expression and writing skills. It is important to balance the progress of Japanese language learning with the production of the portfolio. Good Japanese will also make the professor priority for you.
Q: Can you tell us how Tokyo Art Academy has helped you in your studies?
A: A lot. For example, my portfolio did not consider binding methods other than glue before. My default is that the cord locking is too complicated. However, after listening to the Tokyo Art Academy's course on portfolio typography and portfolio binding, I felt that it was not impossible to try this thing myself. In Japan,000, which is very hands-made, it offers me the possibility to do better. I think that spending and other thoughtful binding methods such as line-loading/butterfly clothing may make your portfolio stand out from the ordinary folio.
In addition, some of the content of public accounts issued by some institutions, I don't think they are really helping to solve practical problems, but are just saying some anxious words. And the push released by TADA really helped me. For example, the introduction of the exhibition, the introduction of some courses, and the sharing of examination experience... I think it's sincere, for me it's a warm institution. After coming to Japan, the environment of fighting alone encountered the epidemic again, in fact, students need some psychological support and help. I was encouraged and comforted on the East American side. This is also a motivation that supports me to be able to finish the work very well later.
Q: Finally, can you give some tips to other students who are preparing for the exam?
A: Exams are not something that happens overnight. This is especially true during the pandemic, so be prepared for a long battle. Then everyone has to be healthy. If you are not in good health, it will also drag down the progress of creation. The last thing is not to think so much, don't think about saying that this is not ok, that is not ok, before thinking about it, first do it and then say.
Qualified works of Cai students
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