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After completing three days of creating the illustrated map at his studio in Tokyo, we spoke to naohiga about the highlights of his work, what went on behind the scenes in the production process, and his impressions of COREDO Muromachi.

naohiga
Born in 1983. Born in Yamagata Prefecture. After graduating from Japan Women's University with a degree in housing, worked as a graphic designer for 6 years, and became an independent illustrator in 2014. Nihonbashi She illustrated the event map for ECO EDO Nihonbashi, an event to enjoy summer in the area, and is active in magazines, books, web magazines, SNS, brands, and corporate media.
Insta gram　contemporary @naohigaillustrator

"ECO EDO Nihonbashi" event map created by naohiga

-Was there anything you paid particular attention to during production?
The thing I focused on was the essence of "Japaneseness." When I started the project, I looked at the materials for the COREDO Muromachi building and noticed that it emphasized horizontal and vertical lines.

I felt a sense of "Japaneseness" in the traditional Japanese lattice patterns and kumiko shoji screens, so I made it my theme to convey Japaneseness. Also, even though they were all lattices, each building was different, so I drew them differently to convey their respective characteristics.

-The whole illustration gives off a sense of harmony.
I also pay special attention to the paints I use. The main colors I use are red, green, and yellow, and I used acrylic gouache from a line based on traditional Japanese colors: shinshu, light green, and kihadairo.
Compared to regular acrylic paints, it can produce colors with Japanese nuances and depth, so I think it's a perfect fit for the traditional image of Nihonbashi.

-Do you usually paint on canvas?
Actually, I usually work on tablets, so I don't have many opportunities to draw on canvas. Moreover, the canvas I used this time was large, so I felt a different kind of tension than usual when working on client projects.
I thought I understood this before I started making it, but when I saw it in front of me, it was really big! I stood up and squatted down and used my whole body to draw it (laughs).

-It must be difficult because it's so big.
It's really hard! On the other hand, I was able to try new production processes that I had never tried before. For example, I learned how to enlarge and project a rough sketch drawn on a tablet using a projector. A fellow illustrator taught me this, so I thought, "Let's give it a try!" It significantly reduced the amount of time and effort required compared to the conventional method of printing out dozens of A3 sheets of paper, stitching them together, and tracing them at full size.

-What do you value as an illustrator?
I like working as a professional illustrator, which means I receive commissions from clients and draw illustrations, and thinking about how to fulfill their requests.

I've been working in commercial design as a graphic designer for a long time, so maybe that's where I started. However, if there's something wrong with the composition or balance of the finished product, I'll voice my opinion as a professional.

-Is there anything you pay particular attention to when drawing illustrations?
If I start with something difficult, I'll quickly get stuck, so I try to start with something that is easy for me to draw. Once I start concentrating, I lose track of time and keep drawing, so I try to be conscious of progressing at a good pace and getting into the rhythm.

Do you usually work from home?
I usually work at home. Sometimes I go to a shared office for a change of pace, or I work at my favorite craft beer shop. I think it's easier to concentrate if I can hear some of the surrounding noise. This time, the filming staff played background music, so I was able to work in an environment that made it easy to concentrate.

-What is your impression of COREDO Muromachi?
When I walked around the store to draw this illustration, I was excited just walking around the store, as the wonderful smells of Japanese sweets, bakery goods, body creams, etc. were coming from everywhere. However, I personally think of Nihonbashi as a fashionable town where sophisticated adults gather, so even though I'm sure I'm grown up now, I still get a little nervous (laughs).

-Are there any shops that interest you?
A place where you can drink delicious beer! Because I love craft beer. I've been to CRAFTROCK BREWPUB&LIVE at COREDO Muromachi Terrace with a friend before. There are many places in COREDO Muromachi where you can drink craft beer and beers from around the world, so I'd love to take this opportunity to go there!

It's a really wonderful video, and I'm really touched. I don't usually have a chance to see myself drawing, so even though it's a little embarrassing, I'm very happy. I remember how I concentrated so hard over the course of three days, from rough sketch to finished drawing, and how the sense of teamwork with the cameraman and production company staff grew stronger as the drawing progressed. I'm reminded once again that this video was made possible through the accumulated work and cooperation of many people, including myself.

■ Exhibition period: Friday, September 13th to Sunday, October 6th, 2024
■ Exhibition location: COREDO Muromachi Terrace B1