Interview with Jean Snow, Writer

We sat down with Jean Snow, a writer focusing on design and pop culture in Tokyo to find out what he’s been up to recently and where he draws his inspiration.

1. So what are you up to right now?

As always, I have quite a few things on my plate, but that’s how I
like things to be. On top of my writing — I contribute to various
websites, newspapers, and magazines, and regularly in THE JAPAN TIMES
and TIME — I’m also the gallery manager at Cafe Pause in Tokyo. I
produce events there as well, and the next big project will be another
collaboration with Swedish Style, part of Tokyo Design Week. I’m also
getting ready to start a t-shirt line with a Canadian designer friend
of mine. Oh, and then there’s my blog.

2. Tell us about this or the last creative project you were personally
proud of.

I’ve been really proud of the two big events I produced at the cafe,
the first for Swedish Style last year, “Mamma Gun sager: Ta en PAUS,” in collaboration with Swedish designer Jesper Larsson (of Next Century Modern), and the second one, “Canadian Style,” which I produced myself, including the design of all material that was used during the event.

3. What did you draw upon to inspire you for this project – (could be
anything).

I was inspired by the people that I got to work with. In fact, that’s
pretty much where I get inspiration for whatever it is I end up doing. As a writer, I’m constantly on the lookout for interesting things to cover, and that includes interesting people, which often comes with a desire by me to do something with them.

4. Why did you use these inspirations? What human emotions do they play
upon that you felt necessary for this project?

It basically comes down to the fact that I love to be surrounded by
people whose work I admire, and being able to contribute to and help
facilitate any of their new projects gives me great satisfaction.

5. In your day to day work – how often do you feel inspired? Is it important to be inspired?

As I’ve said, everything I do is a result of being inspired by something or someone, and then I do whatever I can to try and capture that, and then share it with others. That’s probably why I started blogging, and it’s what has led me to everything I’m currently doing.

6. How do you kick start your off-days: How do you find inspiration?

I open my MacBook Pro, and start surfing. That fact that I live in
what I believe is the most exciting city in the world, Tokyo, doesn’t hurt either, and pretty much everytime I go out and roam the city, be it on foot or on bicycle, I end up being wowed by something.

Thank You

Cafe Pause