Fujihiko Sawai is the soul of Wachajacka Japanese study that has transformed conceptual art into a fundamental pillar of the audiovisual industry. With its seal printed in important productions such as ‘Final Fantasy VII’ remake, the team establishes a base in Madrid and, to celebrate it, the Japanese house next to Voxel School have organized a series of a series of Conferences and workshops On this fundamental field in the process of creating video games, cinema and advertising, which is celebrated on February 4, 5 and 6.
But before the days begin, Sawai has reserved a hole to discover how it began its path in conceptual art, how Wachajack has evolved and what are its main challenges for the future. In this talk with reason, he also reflects on the panorama facing young artists in this field, in addition to giving them some valuable advice.
Conceptual art
Conceptual art is essential, according to Sawai, for any audiovisual production, be it a film, a video game or an anime. “It is what allows all team members to share a clear vision from the beginning. Through it, we define the visual style, the characters and the stages. It is a way to align the creative team and improve the quality of production, ”explains Sawai. For him, creating a solid visual concept in the early stages of the project not only saves time, since it also optimizes resources and ensures that the design is in line with the narrative. “It is the cornerstone so that everything else fits well. If the vision is clear from the beginning, the subsequent process is much more efficient. “
But the beginnings were not simple and when they founded Wachajack, There were no studies in Japan dedicated to the active training of concept art artists. “We wanted to create a place where artists could learn, collaborate and grow together. In Japan, this was quite new, ”says Sawai. Over the years, Wachajack has evolved, integrating young talent with the flexibility of incorporating new technologies and adapting to global trends. “The growth of our team has been based on diversity. From the beginning, we work with artists from different cultures, which has allowed us to maintain a fresh and open approach, “he says.
The seal currently has a large representation of local artists with experience in large video game companies, while collaborating with international creators. “Being surrounded by artists with different origins, we have been able to explore new ways to create and give life to projects that go beyond the conventional.”
They have worked on large projects around Planet, from large -budget titles to productions for streaming platforms. “We have had the opportunity to contribute our conceptual art to projects that are enjoyed worldwide. Each of these is a new opportunity to learn and improve. ” The work in these projects has helped Wachajack expand its global presence and to be part of productions that connect with international audiences.
The creative process in Wachajack
We ask Sawai about the creative process in Wachajack, which begins with an exhaustive research phase. “It is essential to understand the history, the target audience and the world that we are going to create.” Once the key elements are clear, the team goes on to create several preliminary sketches that are discussed with the director and the rest of the team to adjust the visual address. “It is important to ensure that we are all on the same page, so that the final product has coherence,” says Sawai.
The next step is to develop the details of the characters, the stage and other visual elements. “That’s when things like colors, textures and lighting are defined. It is a process where details make a difference, ”he explains. Once the design is clear, the final art is presented to ensure that everyone shares the vision before continuing with production.
The choice of Madrid as headquarters and collaboration with Voxel School
When we ask him about the reasons that have been promoted to establish a headquarters in Madrid, Sawai explains that it was both personal and strategic choice. “Our artist Yutaro J. Miralles Kobayashi is from the city, already over the years we have worked very closely with Madrid artists. In addition, Madrid has become a key place for creativity and innovation, especially in the fields of cinema and video games, ”he says, without forgetting that this new headquarters allow them to connect with a large creative panorama and expand their influence in Europe .
It also highlights how collaboration with Voxel School is an important step for Wachajack. “We hope that this alliance allows us to create educational programs that help students develop their practical skills. We also want to strengthen ties between Japan and Spain, creating a constant exchange of ideas. ” With this collaboration, Wachajack expects not only to support the new generation of artists, but also to merge the creative cultures of both countries, taking their projects to a global audience.
Only for candidates for concept art artists
The artist does not hesitate to share with us any crucial advice for the candidates for professionals of the concept art: “The most important thing is to be faithful to your own vision. As technology progresses, conceptual art changes rapidly. But the essence of this work remains the same: creating worlds that are attractive, consistent and unique, ”he says. According to him, it is vital to find a balance between personal creativity and the ability to adapt to new tools. The key, according to Sawai, is to always be willing to learn and evolve without fear of change.