Hiroshi Endo
www.hiroshiendo.com


HE: I was born in Aichi province Handa City, Japan. My parents and I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii when I was two years old. I grew up in a confusing society where Asian, Polynesian, Hawaiian, and American cultures where mixed together.

Design education:
Since I was in grade school I drew and painted all day and realized that I wasn't bad at it. High school I went to the Mid Pacific Institute where they strongly emphasized in their visual and performing arts program. There I studied mostly of ceramics, paintings and computer graphics. College I went to the Academy of Art College, San Francisco. There I studied motion graphics, graphic design, web design, illustration and 3d modeling and animation. I graduated from the Academy in May 2003.

Your motion graphics are amazing, what inspires you to create?
Music: I try to listen to many different audios where the music is not trashed by the lyrics and the purity of the sound creates a variety of movements in my head. Animation: All I used to do during my weekend in college was to get drunk and watch some good anime with my friends. The new movements and styles give me some ideas to what I want to achieve and add on to my skills.

Being from Hawaii. What are your thoughts on the Hawaii Design Industry?
I never was a big fan of Hawaii Design Industry. I am currently a member of the AIGA in Honolulu, though I stopped going when I realized that nothing really inspires me much in the community. I feel it really important to communicate with your fellow designers to share ideas and inspire each other. Though Hawaii really lacks in the flow and the movement of what is inspiring designs to me. I really love Hawaii for what it is, though I always felt by staying in this island during your prime years can destroy your creativity and to expand awareness in good art and design.

A lot of new designers seem to emulate other people's work, what are your thoughts on that?
I feel it's important to emulate one's work and to learn form it. Though I am strongly against people who plagiarize and steal another's works as to claim it as their own. I've been plagiarized many times and it always disturbs me how people have the nerves to do these things. So if you ever copy or take someone's works, at least credit them for their courtsey.

What types of software do you currently use?
Lightwave 3D, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Dreamweaver.

How would you compare today's Graphic Design Industry from 40 years ago?
Since the Internet was invented; I feel that the design industry has gotten larger and closer together. It has really provided me with easier and faster opportunities to do what I do.

What do you see in the future for Adobe products?
I don't really know. It would be interesting to if Adobe made their own operating system or even their own computers.

With broadband a household necessity, do you still think it's important to cater to dial-up and 56k users?
I am really appreciating my broadband access on my Internet. I used to have a dial-up during college and it really bothered me how I have to wait so long to get vital information from the websites. Though I would be very happier to have a T3 access on my computer.

Besides Spam, and pop-ups what do you dislike about the Internet?
Background music that can't be stopped. Bad intro flash animations that can't be skipped.

How would you explain a flash website that's overused?
Overused in a bad way, I would describe it as a website that doesn't function for it's primary necessity. Overused in a good way, I would describe it as a website that adds additional harmony to the function of it's purpose.

Do you prefer technologically advanced sites or sites with simple but good design?
I really don't mind either as long as the navigation is not too confusing, or doesn't look terribly designed.

Do you have any advice for new and upcoming Graphic Designers?
Experience and experiment with different things. Don't limit yourself from the boundaries.

Everyone has bad "design" habits, what's yours?
Subconsciously, I tend to center my layouts. I think it's because of my roots.

What do you do besides design and art?
I really love to watch movies. Sometimes I watch 5 movies a day to get things off my mind. I take a long ride on my bicycle or a long drive around the island. I also like to swim and surf, which I haven't done much these past few years.

How would you like to be remembered?
Someone who fulfilled his life with happiness.

Do you have any new projects coming up that you can tell us about?
I'm currently working on my 13th version of my portfolio site. I'm also working on a portfolio site and a stationary set of a photographer friend of mine. I'm gradually working on eight different animations and one documentary.

Favorite food and drink:
Favorite food: Fish (Sashimi, Baked and Fried) Favorite drink: Aquarius

Final comments:
Thanks for the interview. Pardon my confusing grammar.

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