Five Quick Questions: Yuri Suzuki
1. WHAT’S ON YOUR CURRENT PLAYLIST?
With the start of the quarantine back in March 2020, I started a project called Pentagram Fives creating daily playlists. They depend on the topic and the feeling of what’s happening in the world. In the beginning, it was more of a self-initiated project, and then I started collaborating with Sascha Lobe, an amazing graphic designer who is also a Pentagram partner. He created complementary visual elements and covers for these playlists.
2. SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW?
Well, I’m always transparent about myself, there’s not much to surprise you, but I’m really into entertainment and amusement as well as experiential design. A lof of my inspiration comes from Disneyland. It’s probably too obvious because I keep talking about it but it’s a place that keeps inspiring me.
3. A RECENT PURCHASE THAT YOU REALLY ENJOY?
JU-06A, a small synthesiser by Roland. While I was exclusively working from Margate during quarantine, I didn’t have much equipment around, so this analogue synthesiser from Roland Boutique became an addition to my toolkit. I enjoy it a lot.
4. WHAT HABIT ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPLEMENT OR GET RID OF AT THE MOMENT?
I never lived in a seaside town before so now if I have spare time I go out to the beach. I live just five minutes from the beach so sometimes during lunch time I go out there for a little relaxation. It’s actually a new habit because I was born in Tokyo and then lived in London for quite long time. It’s a different kind of life here.
5. A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOU?
It’s really hard to just choose one. When I was a child, probably around six, my parents bought me a picture book called Freight Train by Donald Crews. I think he studied graphic design so this children book is really beautifully designed. This book was so different than any other children book, it’s not just about illustration, it has really beautiful typography and design. It changed my perception of design.