You’ve explored and enjoyed different cultures such as skateboarding, surfing, and cycling. How did you first get into them, especially skateboarding? How did it become part of your life?
I was born and raised in Tokyo. Looking back, I feel like I grew up surrounded by so many different things. My father was both a surfer and a skater, so I had many opportunities to naturally be exposed to those cultures from a young age. In Tokyo, it was also easy to make friends through skateboarding, so it quickly became one of my hobbies. From there, skateboarding became part of my life and turned into an important tool for connecting with people and building community.
How did you start drawing?
There are two main reasons why I started drawing. The first is that my father was good at drawing, and when I was a child, he would often show me drawings he had copied. I remember that being one of the things that first sparked my interest in drawing. The second was when I received an award in art class during junior high school. Through that experience, I became close with my art teacher at the time, and I learned how fun drawing could be, as well as how valuable it felt to be recognized for something outside of academics.
I can feel a sense of New York in your drawings. What parts of the city have shaped you the most?
I originally loved Keith Haring’s work, so I still remember the excitement I felt when I first went to MoMA and saw his work in person. Before going to New York, I had visited a museum in Japan that was exhibiting his work, and as part of the installation, they played ambient sounds recorded in a New York subway station. That memory of the sound, together with the feeling of my heart racing as I actually made my way to MoMA, is something that still makes me want to return to New York.
What is Tokyo like?
I think Tokyo is a city surrounded by a lot of randomness, in a good way. Because of that, you can choose for yourself what you think is good or bad, and you have the chance to see and experience many different things. That is what makes Tokyo interesting to me. I’m not sure exactly what has influenced me the most, but I do think Tokyo has taught me that with the freedom to choose comes responsibility. That feeling has had a big impact on me.
Can you tell us how did NEWSLETTER come together?
After Yuya and I came back from New York, we started thinking about a name for the brand together. We wanted our ideas and sincere thoughts to gently reach someone, like a letter quietly slipping into a small space in their heart. That feeling eventually led us to the name NEWSLETTER. Since then, we’ve also been fortunate to have the support of many friends along the way. And starting this year, Ruka officially joined us as a core member of the team. We’re really excited to continue building NEWSLETTER together.
Where did the logos come from?
The NEWSLETTER logo originally came from lettering I had drawn as part of a personal project. And the Flower Logo was created by sampling a photo of a flower that I took while walking through a park in New York with Yuya. This was actually a little background story that only I knew. Haha.
Looking at your Instagram, your feed is filled not only with your work, but also with a lot of photos of your friends. What have your friends brought into your life and art?
Yes, without a doubt, I reflect those things in my work. All of my friends have such strong personalities, and they always give me fresh inspiration. The things I don’t notice on my own, their ideas, and all the conversations we share are treasures to me. When I spend time with my friends, it feels like one page from each of their lives flows into the life of Yutaka Kobayashi. Of course, drinking together or simply spending fun, carefree time together is also the best tho.
You’re connected to many different cultures and communities. Do you see art as more of an internal conversation — a way of going deeper into yourself?
Yes, I do feel that way. My solo exhibition DAYDREAM, which I am holding this year, is exactly about giving shape to the emotions and memories I feel inside but cannot fully put into words. Taking the emotions I felt in a certain moment back to my desk and drawing them into something new feels like an internal conversation with myself.
You’ve worked with major brands like BEAMS and FTC. What has been the most memorable project for you so far?
The most memorable project for me was working on the key visual for NIKE SB for the first time about five years ago. That project became the starting line for me as a designer. I think the friendships I value, the hobbies I have continued, and the dreams I have kept chasing without giving up are slowly starting to take shape. Whenever I receive work like this, I am always filled with gratitude.
I’ve heard that you’re a wine and music lover. If you were drinking wine right now, what songs would you pick to go with it?
For me, the answer depends on the day. Haha. But if I had to choose one song of my life, it would be “I Like It” by DeBarge.
Is there anything you’ve been collecting or following for a long time?
There isn’t anything I consciously collect, but I like rings and earrings, so I often buy them. Another thing that makes me happy as it grows is my Shazam playlist.
Is there a project you’ve been dreaming of doing in the future?
As a personal project, my dream is to create a large-scale work that anyone can look at and immediately recognize as my works. For NEWSLETTER, my dream is first for the brand to be known and loved by many people. Eventually, I would love for us to have our own store.
