Everyone has their own beliefs and worldview, shaped by unique inspirations and experiences. While these might seem like disconnected moments at first, over time they come together to form the foundation of one’s work. It is this personal journey that leads each designer to create something distinctly their own.

This time, we dive into the creative roots of Yukio Andoh, a UX designer and design sprint master who has also contributed numerous articles to Spectrum Tokyo.

Yukio Andoh
Creative Service Designer, Co-Creation Business Design Department, EXA Corporation

Born in Hokkaido, Yukio Andoh started his career as an engineer and since transitioned into a UX designer, UX writer, and design sprint master. His work spans a wide range of areas, including web design, information appliances, smartphone apps, VR systems, large-scale 3D dome theaters, digital signage, and media art. He is also a former part-time lecturer at Rikkyo University and Showa Woman’s University. A lover of movies and science fiction novels, you can typically find him buried in books in his everyday life.

http://www.andoh.org/

1. How do you approach work and creating things?

When I was young, I used to be very picky about many things, but at some point, I decided to “stop being picky.” A major turning point for me came during a seminar by the world-renowned font designer Akira Kobayashi. Someone in the audience asked, “What’s your favorite stationery?” After a brief pause, Akira replied, “I don’t have any.” At that moment, I understood what it really means when people say, “A creator doesn’t need to have favorite tools.”

A skilled person can create something incredible without having an attachment to a particular tool. Akira explained that because you never know what situation or task you might face, there’s no need to be particular about your tools. As long as you can write with it, anything will do—whether it’s a pencil or something else. This left a strong impression on me. In the world of engineers and designers, many people are particular about their tools—whether it’s their computer setup, keyboard, or something else—and I respect that. But personally, I try not to be attached to specific tools.  I want to be able to use these tools as an extension of my body, without relying on one particular tool. So, in a sense, my attachment to not being particular might actually be my form of attachment.

I also have a philosophy when it comes to sharing wisdom: while the desire for knowledge is universal, truly valuable information tends to gravitate toward those who actively share it.

By sharing information yourself, you send a signal to those around you about the kind of information you are knowledgeable about and the type of information you seek. This is why I make it a point to continuously share my knowledge.

However, it’s important to maintain a balance between input and output. Simply consuming information doesn’t benefit you unless you’re processing it. On the flip side, creating output without substance doesn’t have much impact. The more you output, the more you will attract the information you’re looking for. This is the mindset I strive to maintain.

2. How do you stay productive at work, and are there any tools or items you rely on?

I pay close attention to my physical well-being.

One time during a design sprint workshop, a young employee told me, “Yukio, you’re like an intellectual athlete.” At first, I didn’t quite understand, but I think it’s because of how I use my body to maximize my brain power and how I seek efficiency in recovering my physical energy, much like an athlete.

As you get older, you start to notice limits in both your body and mind, so I try to rest before I actually get tired. If you wait until you’re fatigued to rest, it takes longer to recover. But if you rest before the fatigue sets in, you can maintain a higher performance. This is something I always keep in the back of my mind. I also make sure to get enough sleep and avoid meals high in carbohydrates. In a way, I manage my health much like an athlete would. I’m always experimenting with new ways to maintain my well-being as I get older.

On the other hand, in my 20s, I worked a lot, and I believe that period of my life was crucial. It was then that my skills truly started to accumulate. In life, there are times when work opportunities flood in, and you have to choose between having fun or focusing on your career. If you push yourself during this fundamental period, you can build valuable experience and a strong network. With that foundation, life becomes easier later on. I believe the years I spent in that phase helped me build both people and work skills which I continue to benefit from today. 

By the time you’re in your 30s, many people start to settle down and have families. Other responsibilities increase, so it becomes difficult to dedicate all your resources to work. That’s why I think it’s okay to pour your energy into working before moving to that next stage of life.

3. Who has influenced you the most?

I can’t think of anyone specific, but there’s a saying: ‘We stand on the shoulders of giants.’ I often reflect on how we’re able to reach great heights because we’re standing on the foundation laid by those who came before us. This applies not only to design, but to how we work, technology, computers—everything is built on the contributions of others. By building on their achievements, we’re able to create incredible things. I’m truly grateful to those pioneers.

Also, I don’t think many people would mention this, but I believe I’ve been greatly influenced by the people I dated in the past.  In fact, I think everyone probably has, right..?

I’ve learned a lot from the women I’ve dated. They taught me different things, challenged me, and helped me change. I’m really thankful for that. I learned about the things they liked, and they weren’t afraid to call me out on my behavior at times. I’m deeply grateful for those moments. The influence I received from the partners I had when I was younger was immense—I sometimes feel like it’s solely thanks to them that I was able to change and become who I am today.

Of course, I’ve also been deeply influenced by my wife. She’s the person who has changed me the most, especially in recent years, and she continues to have a transformative influence on me to this day.

4. Have any pieces of content influenced your design or way of thinking?

One of the things that shaped my childhood was LEGO. When I was about 3 or 4, my parents bought me various toys, but by the time I was 5, LEGO was the only one I was interested in. I wasn’t drawn to character-based toys; instead, I spent most of my time building with LEGO, tools, and other materials.

Back then, most LEGO sets didn’t come with instructions like they do now. I only had a bucket of random pieces, which I used to build whatever I could come up with. I’d often break what I made and start over, trying a new approach each time. Through this process, I gradually developed an understanding of three-dimensional structures and learned how to make the most of limited resources. I think these lessons were embedded in me through LEGO.

Now, my daughter plays with LEGO too. I even had my old LEGO blocks, the ones I used in the 1970s, sent from my parents’ house. I was amazed to find that they still connect perfectly with the new, modern pieces. It’s incredible how timeless they are—still as enjoyable and relevant after 50 years. I really feel like LEGO embodies the essence of craftsmanship and creativity.

The piano has also been an important part of my foundation. As a child, I didn’t like it, but I was forced to take lessons. Back then the lessons were all about boring, repetitive finger exercises. However, as I continued practicing, I got better at using both hands and eventually began playing properly. Although I stopped playing the piano later on, I believe that the discipline helped me develop the ability to use both my right and left brain equally.

Through the piano, I also came to understand the value of hard work and practice. Anyone can press a key and make a sound, but playing well takes practice. No one is born able to play perfectly; it’s a skill you build with time. While the amount of practice it takes to improve may vary, perseverance allows you to master things in any field. It was incredibly valuable for me to realize that by repeating those tedious exercises, I could overcome challenges—and eventually, use an instrument as an extension of my own body.

5. What were some things you loved or were passionate about when you were in your teens?

In my late teens, I developed a strong interest in computers. This was before the internet became widely available, but I was fascinated by how computers worked. I spent a lot of time creating programs just for fun, and I had a feeling that this passion would eventually shape my career.

I was also heavily into music and had an amazing time playing the keyboard in a band. It’s often said that our musical tastes are shaped in our late teens and tend to stay with us for life, so I’m glad I spent that time exploring a wide range of music. Music enriched my life, and has always been there, accompanying me through both the highs and lows.

6. Have you recently seen a website or service that made you think “That’s a great design!”? What stood out to you about it?

I think the introduction of ChatGPT goes beyond just “good design”. It feels like a huge wave is coming that will change our lives, work, and everything else. It will have an impact on every kind of job, and I believe it will bring about truly remarkable changes. I hope we can make good use of it and coexist with it to accomplish various things. For me, I use it as a sounding board, to brainstorm ideas, and to quickly research things I don’t know.

Another example is a rickshaw I rode at a tourist spot, which turned out to be an incredible experience. I had never ridden one before, but the service was so well-designed that I felt like I got more than my money’s worth. The rickshaw driver took us to all the must-see tourist spots, and even helped us take photos and capture the perfect shot. They took the photos efficiently yet skillfully, swiftly applying filters and editing them flawlessly. In front of a retro-style street, they even applied a black and white filter to enhance the atmosphere. It ended up being a truly unforgettable experience.

Additionally, their explanations and responses to our questions were effortless. I imagine they’ve practiced many times, like a rakugo performer, to figure out how to bring the most joy to their customers. It was clear that this service had undergone extensive user testing and refinement. Everything felt seamless, with no awkward moments at all. My daughter and I had an amazing time. At the end, they gave us a discount voucher, which is another nice touch that makes you want to return or recommend the experience to others. In many ways, I think they must be incredibly skilled UX designers.

Related Links

• Design Sprint Newsletter (by Substack)
  A free newsletter about Design Sprint workshops.
• SIGGRAPH ASIA 2024: 12/3-6, Tokyo International Forum
  A global conference and exhibition on computer graphics.

Spectrum Tokyo: Yukio’s Column Series “Design in Everyday Life”
Yukio’s column series on Spectrum Tokyo, exploring design in daily life.