Mari Hosho: Pioneering the Fusion of Design and Technology

New York Wire Staff

Mari Hosho, a name that resonates in the realm of graphic and interactive design, has been carving a unique path in the industry. Her journey from being an Information Science major to becoming a designer is a testament to her unwavering determination and passion for creativity. In this article, we delve into Mari’s career journey, her inspirations, her contributions to the world of design, and the evolving landscape of graphic and interactive design.

A Career Journey Like No Other

Mari Hosho’s career journey is nothing short of extraordinary. With an academic background in Information Science, she initially ventured into the technology and coding realm. However, her latent interest in the creative field persisted. She embarked on a seven-year journey as a project manager in one of Japan’s largest advertising agencies. The world of design beckoned, and she decided to take the plunge.

In 2021, Mari embarked on a life-altering journey that led her from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the creative hub of New York City. Her enrollment in Parsons School of Design marked the inception of her career as a designer. This bold step laid the foundation for a future characterized by innovation and creativity.

Igniting the Creative Flame

Mari’s decision to pursue a career in graphic and interactive design was inspired by her unique life experiences. As a globe-trotter who had lived in five different countries, she was profoundly influenced by the diversity of design in everyday life. Her travels through Europe, the Middle East, and Africa fueled her passion for collecting posters, tickets, pamphlets, and packages that captured the essence of each city she visited. This journey sparked her curiosity about the way design reflects history, culture, and aesthetics, ultimately igniting her desire to create her own designs.

Defining Moments and Critical Crossroads

One of the pivotal moments in Mari’s career was her enrollment in Parsons School of Design, where she learned the art of combining technology and design. Her interactive class with a teacher at Parsons School of Design, a designer renowned for integrating coding and design, opened her eyes to the possibilities that lay at the intersection of technology and creativity. It was a transformative experience that not only revealed the enchanting outcomes of blending coding and graphic design but also enabled Mari to harmonize her diverse skill set in a unique way.

Navigating the Shifting Tides of a Dynamic Field

In the ever-evolving world of design, staying updated on the latest trends and technologies is imperative. Mari is committed to this pursuit. She engages in in-person design events like TypeThursday, explores newsletters, social media platforms, and online videos, including Adobe Max. What truly sets her apart is her constant analytical gaze at everyday designs, consistently questioning how she could improve or reimagine them.

Defining Projects: Pinnacles of Mari’s Portfolio

One of Mari’s most memorable projects was a branding initiative for a mental healthcare company. The transformation of their branding from a technology-oriented, serious tone to a more organic, humane, and soft-looking identity was a testament to her creative prowess. The success of this project still resonates in the branding world today.

Going Through Challenges and

The design journey is not without its hurdles. For Mari, the challenge lay in translating concepts into visuals. Her solution was to embark on a journey of continuous iteration. She also struggled with the habit of comparing herself to other designers. To conquer this, she focused on discovering her unique strengths and inspiring qualities.

The Creative Process Unveiled

For Mari, the creative process starts with immersing herself in the subject matter. She absorbs every aspect of the client or topic, whether it’s a physical store, a product, or a documentary. This deep understanding is the foundation upon which she constructs her designs. Her process involves verbalizing her impressions, gradually forming the basis for her designs.

Vital Tools and Techniques: The Cornerstones of Mari’s Craft

Mari wields a versatile set of tools to bring her designs to life. Conventional software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects serve as her creative arsenal. She doesn’t shy away from coding, employing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for interactive design. Her design process starts with rough sketches on paper, which she then refines using Illustrator, eventually transforming them into websites or using Figma, depending on the project’s requirements.

Sailing through Collaborations: Mari’s Expertise in Teamwork

With her background as a project manager in an advertising agency, Mari is no stranger to collaboration. However, she emphasizes the need to convey the importance of design to non-designers. Her work with non-profit organizations has highlighted the importance of design in effective communication. Mari and her team continually advocate for the transformative power of design in conveying messages to diverse audiences.

Adapting to the Changing Landscape of Graphic/Interactive Design

Mari recognizes that the role of a Graphic/Interactive Designer has become increasingly diverse. Today’s designers are expected to possess a wide range of skills, often described as “T-shaped.” While this expansion of skills is promising, Mari strives to strike a balance between branding design and emerging technologies, ensuring that her work remains unique and distinctive in a world of automation and generative design.

Guidance for Emerging Designers: Wisdom from Mari Hosho

Mari’s advice to budding designers is simple yet profound. She encourages them to identify their unique strengths and not to succumb to the pressures of competition. Recognizing one’s individuality and constantly evolving are key to success in the design industry.

Molding the Future Landscape of Design

In Mari’s vision of the future, data-driven branding and digital generative design are at the forefront. These emerging trends hold the potential to make branding more interactive and flexible while maintaining a consistent identity. As AI continues to advance, designers must focus on adding a human touch to their work to maintain its uniqueness.

Design Inspirations and Influential Styles

Mari’s design sensibilities are a harmonious blend of two contrasting styles. She is drawn to clean, geometric, and digital designs, showcasing her admiration for designers like Philippe Apeloig and Ikko Tanaka. Simultaneously, she has a deep appreciation for illustrations with a human touch, inspired by artists like Chagall and Christoph Niermann. The fusion of these styles is exemplified in her admiration for Giorgia Lupi’s “Dear Data.”

The Essence of Exceptional Design

Exceptional design, according to Mari, is that which elicits the “Aha!” moment. It interprets problems differently and communicates complex ideas in a simple and universally understandable manner.

The Satisfying Aspects of Design

For Mari, the most satisfying aspects of her career as a designer are the processes of creation and the ability to directly impact someone through her work. She revels in the journey of brainstorming, sketching, and creating something original. Seeing the positive impact of her designs on individuals is what keeps her motivated and passionate.

Imagination and Pragmatism

Mari acknowledges the importance of balancing creativity and practicality in professional work. Even when practicality takes precedence, she strives to infuse a touch of creativity by proposing multiple design patterns. By offering varied options, she explores how much creativity a project can accommodate.

Dedicated Projects and Personal Endeavors

Mari’s passion projects reveal the depth of her interests and creativity. One such project is her rebranding of National Geographic, where she incorporated daylight data into the brand’s logo, reflecting the diverse climates and natural environments worldwide. Additionally, she has digitized her collection of two-dimensional designs from cities she has visited, creating a unique representation of her travels.

Future Visions and Long-Term Aspirations

In the future, Mari envisions a career that merges her strategy background as a project manager with her creative eye as a designer. Her ambition is to become a global influencer, inspiring people from all walks of life and all corners of the world.

Withstanding Creative Blocks

When faced with creative blocks, Mari turns to non-design activities such as watching movies, reading books, or traveling. These experiences allow her mind to unconsciously unravel design challenges, often leading to breakthrough moments.

The Importance of a Strong Portfolio and How it Can Help You

Mari emphasizes the significance of a portfolio as a reflection of a designer’s identity. It serves as a visual resume, encapsulating the designer’s skills, unique qualities, and creative personality. Her advice to budding designers is to showcase their uniqueness, and above all, enjoy the process of self-expression.

Mari Hosho’s remarkable journey from Information Science to the dynamic world of graphic and interactive design exemplifies the boundless possibilities that await those with an unwavering passion for creativity. Her dedication to staying updated, embracing challenges, and infusing her designs with a unique touch sets her apart as a visionary in the industry. As the design landscape evolves, Mari is at the forefront, ready to continue shaping the future of design.