―

When we asked you whether we could create a techo cover with you, did you immediately come up with a motif?

Kondo

When we had our first meeting, you told me that I could try out something that I wanted to do but couldn’t with character designing, so I first told you I wanted to draw flowers. We then decided that the other cover should feature a character, and that’s when I got a bit lost. Hobonichi’s stylish, so…

―

That’s not true!

Kondo

But in my mind, Hobonichi had a fashionable image, so I didn’t know what to do. As we discussed, I decided that the techo cover should feature a drawing that’s closer to a picture book than a character, and that’s when the fox came up.

―

What’s the difference between it being closer to a picture book than a character?

Kondo

Of course they’d be different ways to think around it, but I think if it’s closer to a character, it will be something with an impact that’s hard to forget by just a glance because of its strong characteristic, and something that can turn into a variety of goods. With picture books, it’s something that will blend into everyday life and that won’t interfere with anything else.

Characters can create a world of its own, so something that doesn’t go to that extent is something I imagine as being closer to a picture book. Obviously, it’s up to the interpreter in the end, but that’s how I distinguish these two within myself.

―

Did you choose a character that blends with everyday life because it’s a techo cover?

Kondo

That’s a big factor, yes. I was conscious of how it is something that will be carried around on a daily basis.

―

Did you like foxes from before?

Kondo

I did, but this time I chose it more because I wanted to use a pop color scheme that would go well with black. Additionally, if its arms and legs are long, I can add more movement to it.

―

I see! Looking at your previous works, for example Ofuton-san, was it hard to make it move dynamically because its arms and legs are on the shorter side?

Kondo

With Ofuton-san, yes.

―

I had the image of Ofuton-san freely jumping around when I read the book, but looking at it now, that’s not the case.

Kondo

Exactly, Ofuton-san actually doesn’t move around much. Picture books are accompanied by writing, so it might be the text that made you think that Ofuton-san moved around a lot. With “Dancing Fox”, I wanted to show movement by just looking at it and without the added explanation. I normally get asked to create characters with short arms and legs, so from that point of view, it turned out to be a different type of character than what I normally create.

―

This fox’s tail even has expressions, not just its arms and legs. It’s so cute.

Kondo

Don’t you think that foxes are a bit adult-like? It has something cynical to it as well. I think the image that the fox in itself has helped a lot, too.

―

You drew the plaid design in the background as well, right?

Kondo

Yes, I drew it with watercolor paint. I discussed with you whether the background should be stripes or a checkered design, how thick the lines should be, and the color of it… and this is what came up.

Yamato
(in charge of
product planning)

When these two designs arrived, I was so excited by how cute they were!

Kondo

Really? I’m relieved to hear that!

―

I had an image that the characters you create have quite a vivid image, but “Field of Flowers” has a warm cuteness to it.

Kondo

My work normally is either character designing or picture book related. 16 years since becoming a freelancer, and 20 years if you include my years at the office, it’s rare that I get asked to try out something new at this timing, so I was excited.

―

And that’s when you suggested to draw flowers.

Kondo

Yes. I drew “Field of Flowers” and I used watercolor paint since I wanted to.

―

Looking at Ofuton-san after seeing “Field of Flowers”, I realized how frequently you drew flowers in this book.

Kondo

That’s right, I actually drew them quite often, which is something that I realized afterwards. But it’s a rare opportunity to just be able to draw flowers.

―

I think there is something to it that reminds me of old-school wrapping paper.

Kondo

To think of it, it might have the essence of knick knacks that I bought when I was younger, or the character Miffy. But it’s probably more affected by the fields. When I was in elementary school, I used to always spend time in the fields picking out grass.

―

You took on your memories from elementary school! It might be because we made it with a cloth with texture, but it’s like a patterned textile that I imagine will work well as handkerchiefs or as aprons.

Kondo

I always had the image of a textile when I created it. It was also only when I grew up that I realized my love of cloths. I was able to realize what I like, and my repertory of things I like expanded. I’m happy that I get to do this as my job.

―

Were you also conscious with this pattern that it was going to be a techo cover?

Kondo

I was more aware of it than when I was drawing “Dancing Fox”. Because of my previous experience, I had an idea in mind with designing the fox. But with “Field of Flowers”, it was more of a try and error process.

―

I believe you get offers to create characters or picture books, but is there something that you think is most important with work?

Kondo

To meet deadlines.

―

…!

Yamato

It was so refreshing to me that she was concerned about scheduling from the start.

Kondo

You can say this especially with product making, but you’ll end up torturing yourself if you don’t meet deadlines. You’d end up not being able to make it, or not being able to pick a color of your choice. … I’m assuming this is not what you were hoping for as an answer. (Laughs)

―

But it’s actually very true.

Yamato

It’s not always that someone creates something new for us and on top of that being on top of schedule, so we were so grateful.

Kondo

I did use to work in an office. (Laughs)

―

You knew what it’s like to create a product.

Kondo

Of course that has to do with the fact that I used to create products as a company employee. People from advertisement companies also trained me when I worked with them for an ad.

Another huge factor is that I had a child. When my child has a fever, the schedule easily gets delayed. When I came upon this, I really felt the importance of schedules. There will come a time when all-nighters won’t do it, so that’s why I believe schedules should be made with some give to it, so there would be a finished product no matter what happens.

―

Do you plan your schedules bearing in mind a brief timeline of being able to create something that will meet your standards?

Kondo

Yes, I have a few jobs simultaneously, so I build my schedules thinking “Out of this month, I can spend three days on this job” - it’s a bit like Tetris. (Laughs) If it’s a larger project like a picture book, I’ll take more time out of my schedule to spend and use it to mull over ideas. But, in the end I think I’m a bit wimpy, and that’s why I always try to meet deadlines…

Yamato

Not only with schedules, you also cared about how the cover will look in shops, and how it shouldn’t get dirty easily. I feel you understood the techo as a product.

Kondo

Because you assured me on every worry and question I had, I was able to go forward.

―

So your previous experience with creating products for a character is why you looked after these details.

Kondo

As a company employee creating stationary and small items, I was involved from creating barcode stickers to thinking of displays. I also was involved in techo creating. I included railway maps and pressure points , and thought “Guys, spend more time looking at the page with pressure points!”

―

I get that so much! So you understood the process while taking on a new challenge. “Dancing Fox” is a humorous and relaxed character, but does the characters you design in general have a certain characteristic?

Kondo

If there’s a client, I’d obviously respond to their needs, but I always think that I want to create something that doesn’t stand out too much. I don’t want it to appeal “it should be something like this”.

―

You don’t want the character to impose something?

Kondo

Yes. I personally don’t like to be forced by something, so that might be why.

With characters, I don’t think they have to be loved by everybody. If there’s at least one person that likes it, the character doesn’t have to appeal how cute they are and force someone to like them. Like there are good and bad sides to people, the same can be said for characters, too, and as long as they can find their own match, it’s fine.

―

So it shouldn’t appeal how cute they are and plead someone to like them.

Kondo

Of course there are people who like those kind of characters and there are charming characters that make it work that way, but with my characters, I don’t think they should try so hard.

―

When you first design a character, or when you draw by hand like you did with “Field of Flowers”, do you have times when your condition isn’t well?

Kondo

Of course I do. There are times when I can’t draw a simple circle, and I don’t exactly know why it happens. I’m not sure if he remembers this, but manga artist Radio Wada once told me that he had times when he just couldn’t draw a circle, and I recall feeling relieved hearing that.

―

How do you know that what you drew isn’t a good circle?

Kondo

When it’s too wonky.

―

So it should be slightly distorted?

Kondo

There’re people who say that I draw has a good wonkiness, but it’s totally unintentional. (Laughs) What I believe I drew without it being distorted is seen as a “good wonkiness” from everyone else… But my work isn’t asked for precision, so I think that I should do what I can.

―

There’d be many people who are going to buy this April-start 2020 Hobonichi Techo 2020 Spring upon starting their new school or fiscal year*. You deciding to work as a freelancer was probably a huge decision, but how do you decide to start something new?
*In Japan, April is when a new school year or fiscal year starts

Kondo

I want to start when the season is good. Like leaves and flowers bud and bloom, I think I can start well when around the same timing. So I think it’s important not to try too hard. Forcing yourself thinking you have to start right now won’t probably go a long way. More than that, the feeling of cannot wait to get started will come more naturally to you.

Speaking for myself, I saved small sketches that I hoped to be able to do one day for “Field of Flowers”. Always having that feeling of wanting to do something within you, and being able to achieve it at your fullest power when you get the opportunity is important.

(End)