Meet Ken Misaki | Production Designer | Art Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Misaki and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ken, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since high school, creativity has been an integral part of my life. I started off as a musical actor in highschool, then switched my interest to the film industry in the start of college, and transitioned into the art department. Now I am working as an art department for films, music videos, and commercials. I think my grandfather has been the cornerstone of inspiration in my journey towards my creative career. From an early age, I was immersed with my grandfather’s artwork and style. He had a hobby of painting landscape and movie / cartoon characters with water color. I still remember how amazed I was by his work. I strongly believe that my decision to go to an art college was also heavily influenced from my grandfather.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Honestly, I am very grateful to be able to discover this job because I have never felt this way towards any other jobs I have done throughout my life. Doing art for films, music videos, and commercials was definitely a calling for me and I felt it immediately after I started working on projects with the art department. The more sets and projects I was on, the more I enjoyed, loved, and grown. Becoming a Production Designer wasn’t difficult, but I feel like becoming better at it is the most difficult and yet fun part about this job. Every single project after project I learn something new about this role, what I can be better or improve at, and how to make other’s proud and inspired. At the end of the day, projects like this are a collaborate work. Each and everyone of us working on the project brings something to the table to create the piece. Therefore, learning how to collaborate and communicate is the biggest thing I learnt throughout my job and still the biggest thing I want to improve on for each projects.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visiting here I would definitely take them to on a walk to the Beltline starting from Piedmont park area to ponce city market. The walk is about 2~3miles but very worth it, especially during the evening when it’s nice out. Starting off with Piedmont park, then walking towards Ponce City Market, the beltline walk is the best stress reliving walk I enjoy. After the walk, stopping by a restaurant or the food floor of Ponce City Market is my go to weekend adventure.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Recently I was asked by a friend of mine how I became a production designer. It is a long story, but when I talked about the past few years of my life, it felt like everything has lead up to where I am now. I did not know the existence of Production Design until junior year of college. Before that I was involved in theaters and films throughout my life but never landed on the art department role. Until I met a friend of mine on set. They showed me the art and beauty of production design and taught me the importance of the art department. After that day I met couple other talented production designers who became my mentors throughout my junior year. I appreciate my mentors so much for teaching me countless skills including set designing, prop making, set construction, etc. I would’ve not been who I am now without their guidance, help and knowledge.

Website: kenmisaki.com

Instagram: ken_msaki

Image Credits
Louise Dill, Kurt Yue