Haruko Hayakawa is a CG artist & creative director based in New York. We first knew of Hayakawa through her beautifully detailed work, which may be how we find most interesting people these days. We're drawn to those who do things, and it seems like Hayakawa is constantly pushing herself to create, reinvent and experiment.
We asked what's been on her mind lately and she kindly obliged.
What’s the best compliment you received recently?
I was told by a friend and collaborator that I have a very distinct style and confidence in my work that only comes from experience. That meant a lot to me because I maintain a consistent daily creative routine and it’s often the things that go on behind the scenes to build up to the “big” work that aren’t acknowledged. I felt seen from that compliment!
What’s the last thing you read?
I’m currently reading "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin. I love to read about the act of being creative. I think being a creative is quite spiritual and I appreciate books that remind me to tap back into my inner self, where my creativity lies. I think it’s so easy to get distracted by all the noise online and IRL.
Click the + button in your browser while viewing the book to save it to your mind.
What book do you want to read next?
There’s no book in particular. I find that the right books come into my life at the right time.
A quote that’s meaningful to you?
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Highlight the text, quotation marks included, to save it to your mind as a quote.
I’ve been repeating this to myself for over a decade. I think it’s so easy to get overwhelmed by tasks, goals and even dreams. I try to remind myself that small incremental change over time brings the most impact as opposed to constantly trying to sprint through life.
Best gift you’ve ever received?
I think the best gift I’ve ever been given in my entire life is my parents allowing me to pursue my love of computers and art. They allowed me to explore digital art at a young age and learn how to build computers and utilize hardware and technology. I don’t think I would be doing what I do today without having the freedom to explore 3D and digital art on my own terms at a young age.
Where do you want to travel to next?
I want to travel to Southeast Asia. Maybe Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?
I would buy a building in Brooklyn that had a large enough space to live and work out of. My creative work and life are so intertwined I would ideally love the ground floor to have those garage doors with windows and lots of natural light. I would use that space for both CG, photo and 3D printing.
What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?
I would love to pick up sewing. I love creating home objects like quilts and pillows, as well as customizing my clothing.
What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?
The funniest thing you’ve seen lately?
This is such niche DTC humor, but this meme from Snaxshot about the recent EVOO drama.
If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?
I think it would start out as a big bubble that looks like a jumble of different things and ideas. I think I have a wide mental rolodex of references, illustrations, paintings, objects, etc. I would probably have things organized by “style” and “energy." I’m very visual so I first pick up the general energy of an image before seeing all the minute details.
When it comes to my creative work I tend to try to exhaust every option possible and then funnel down into more organized thoughts, so maybe my mind would look like that. A huge jumble of or random things that’s funneled into (somewhat) organized categories.
