MikuFan Interview With “We Love Fine Hatsune Miku Design Contest 2” Winning Artists

 
The recent Hatsune Miku Design Contest from We Love Fine sparked some pretty incredible artworks that Vocaloid fans will no doubt enjoy wearing. However, we were curious to learn a little more about the artists behind these creative designs, as well as their inspirations.

We’d like to thank all 8 contest winners for taking their time to answer our questions! All designs are available for purchase or preorder from the links in the interviews below.

>> Purchase Kagamine Twin Power (Mens)
>> Purchase Kagamine Twin Power (Womens)

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

Hatsune Miku had actually been the first anime character I discovered! I kept seeing her around deviantart and some other art sites and wondered, who’s this chick with the impossibly long hair? And after looking into her I just got totally hooked on Vocaloid. I’d have to say this was back in around 2010 and all I could draw was Vocaloid fan art! But in around 2012-2013 I started getting into other things, joining other fan bases, and left Vocaloid for a long time. But this year it was like Vocaloid just hit me in the face at full force so now I’m back!

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

Honestly, as great as Miku is, I just love the Kagamines at least 10 times more…! Whenever I see Miku promotions I always get this kind of jealous feeling, like “Where’s everyone else? Specifically Rin and Len?” Overall I just really wanted some Kagamine promotions so I took this chance, somewhat inspired by the Kagamine Revolution jokes within the fanbase. But I made one more design (titled Stars on Stars) with the Kagamines as well as Miku and Luka just to be safe, since I thought you couldn’t win if Miku wasn’t there. Guess I was wrong, haha.

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

I think i’d get really excited, point the person out to whoever I’m with, and then get really embarrassed as I mentally debate whether or not I should approach them…!

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

I really loved Your World drawn by Melinda Chiem-Ngoy! The art style for Miku is insanely cute and the rest of the characters in pixel form were so aesthetically pleasing to me; I love video game themes way too much.

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

My favorites are definitely Rin and Len, no one could replace them in my heart. It’s really hard to choose a favorite song, because there are so many out there, but since I love electronic pop songs I’d have to say anything from GigaP!

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

Hopefully you will! I’d really love to participate in another, they’re lots of fun, not to mention you see tons of great art as well as how many other people love your favorite characters and Vocaloid in general!

>> Purchase Star’s Swingset (Mens)
>> Purchase Star’s Swingset (Womens)

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

I first noticed Miku being cosplayed a lot on blogs about seven years ago. I’m a sucker for twintails and stockings so I looked more into it and discovered Vocaloid music. I doodled her afterwards for a bit and then things exploded when videos of her first concert came out.

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

Even though I love to do illustrative things, as a designer I work a lot with more graphic imagery. Before my current job, I was a freelance shirt designer for a soccer company that was involved with the EPL and FIFA so I had an idea of what styles generally translate well onto shirts. I came up with a bunch of ideas and intended to enter five different art styles (ukiyo-e, sumi-e, art nouveau, etc), but then I got too caught up in things. I only entered one other design in the end.

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

It’d be incredibly weird. It’s fun to make things and to see them exist in the real world, but seeing someone wear your shirt is always really weird. Your first reaction is to wonder why on Earth someone would think your design is cool enough to wear.

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

My personal favorite is BAD_SECTOR by Krit_Parnsanay. The amount of time the artist took to make sure every element within the design worked is pretty awesome.

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

Miku will always be the number one (2D) girl in my heart. She was the first I met and there are so many variations of her that I’m falling in love with her all over again every day. “Nisoku Hokou” had a big impression on me and I generally love any song he works on. Also, Last Note is 10/10. That being said, Kitamura Eri is one of my all time favourite VAs so I’m also a big fan of CUL. Her voice is a little rough, but in the right places it’s magical. For her I’m going with GuitarHeroPianoZero’s remix of Circus-P’s “iSAaNiTY”.

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

I guess so. This one ended up way better than I expected and I still want to try out those other ideas I had. I look forward to it! (V)^><^(V)

>> Purchase Pixelation on Crunchyroll

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

It was something that was just starting and I noticed the rising number of fan art on devaintart and got curious as to what it was about. I guess I’ve been drawing since then.

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

I just thought the piece should be something playful and should look good on a shirt. I didn’t spend that long coming up with ideas to come up with more than one variation.

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

Not sure to be honest.

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

Not in particular.

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

I don’t really have a favorite Vocaloid character. Most of the songs I like end up being sung by Miku. I currently listen to the remixes done with Miku’s voice for the battle themes from 7th Dragon 2020.

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

If I have time.

>> *Not Available For Order Yet (Hot Topic Exclusive)*

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

I got into Vocaloid in 2008, a few months after Rin and Len were released, because of Vocaloid fan artists in the western fandom! At first, I was curious to how this “series” had so many characters and storylines/interpretations. Once I started listening to songs like Love is War and The Servant of Evil, I was hooked to the music and gripping tales people were able to create with Vocaloid. Ever since then, I’ve been drawing Vocaloid fanart and crossovers based off of Vocaloid songs. It’s just so impressive how Vocaloid is fueled by an amazingly talented fanbase.

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

What inspired me to draw my art piece was the song Tell Your World by KZ. I wanted to do a design to show how far and vast the music from Vocaloid has spread over the last few years. I knew I wanted to create a shirt involving pixel-drawn Vocaloids, and the group happened to fit well within this work. I also had various other designs that I re-submitted from the Miku shirt design contest last year.

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

I would be so thrilled and flattered to see someone wearing my shirt design! There were many people wearing last year’s winning designs at Miku Expo this year, and I really hope to see people wearing my design next year when Miku returns to Los Angeles!

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

I really liked the “Star’s Swingset” design! It was really clever in my opinion, and I’m glad that it made Mikufan’s pick. Who wouldn’t want a classy Miku swinging across their shirt?

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

Oh gosh, this is tough… my friend asked me the exact same question during Miku Expo. If, for some reason, I could only draw one Vocaloid character for the rest of my life, it would be that precious yellow haired banana loser Len Kagamine. As for Vocaloid songs, I really love the song Shake It! by emon, and recently I’ve been listening to ECHO by Crusher-P on repeat.

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

If there is anything Vocaloid related, I will be there (probably lurking). It would be incredible if Crypton opened up more opportunities for the western audience in the future.

>> *Not Available For Order Yet (Think Geek Exclusive)*

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

At that time, I was having a hard time preparing an entrance examination. That’s when my brother introduced Vocaloid and their amazing music to me. The first song I listened to was From Y To Y by JimmythumbP, and I was obsessed with it. Gradually, the Vocaloid took a big part of my life. Also, I always loved drawing so I started illustrating Vocaloid artwork since then.

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

Actually it was an inspiration from my class in college. When the professor was teaching about animation, he mentioned to just try to draw silhouettes of your character instead of detailing the hair or the clothes, to help correcting the poses.
At first, when drawing my design, I couldn’t find the right color to fill in, it just doesn’t seem right. Then suddenly the professor’s words occurred to me. After I poured the black color in and it turned out to be good! But it seems to be a little boring to be all black, so I highlighted it with their illuminating objects.
I didn’t think too much about my art, so I didn’t have many other ideas. I just… let it happen!

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

I would probably walk by him/her and then silently scream and panic on the street. ：）

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

Yes, and it was Lulu N.’s Chibiloid. The design is so adorable and well done! I really loved the color she used!

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

Although most of my friends loved the twins, but I like Miku most! And my favorite Vocaloid songs are Rolling Girl by Wowaka and Donut Hole by Hachi.

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

Of course! ：）

>> Purchase Bad_Sector (Mens)
>> Purchase Bad_Sector (Womens)

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

I started drawing vocaloid fanart since I first heard “Black Rock Shooter” with Hatsune Miku and watched “Black Rock Shooter OVA” in 2010. I like both characters and I think they go together very well. After that I’ve been drawing Miku fanart until now.

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

My inspiration comes from several places. Listening to music, fast sketching, playing games, some illustrations from my favorite artists and everything around me can become ideas for my designs. This design was my only one for the contest.

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

I’d feel very proud and I’d want to say “thank you” for liking my design, but I’m a really shy person so I think I wouldn’t do anything…. We wouldn’t know each other. ：D

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

Actually, I like all designs from the contest. Each design has its own unique charm, and I can feel the effort behind each of them. It’s very hard to pick one.

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

Hatsune Miku is my favorite vocaloid character, I like to listen Miku voice more than other vocaloids. “Tell Your World” is my favorite song, I really like rhythm and meaning of this song.

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

I’m not sure. If I see a vocaloid art contest and I have time, maybe I will join it.

>> Purchase Listen to My Heart (Mens)
>> Purchase Listen to My Heart (Womens)

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

Hatsune Miku’s song ‘Melt’ is the song that actually brought me into a Vocaloid. It was at my 2nd year of my middle school so it must been 6 years I drew Vocaloids.

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

I was thinking about something interesting for t shirts and I came up with this idea. Althought it took me few 2 or 3 drafts for the composition of the design.

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

I might pretend to ignore that person (the person has his or her own way so I still think this is the best) but I will be so happy to see that person.

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

The one that beastace made, and the Bad_Sector t shirt.

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

I favorite Vocaloids are Miku, IA, and MAYU, and I like Vocaloid dance or electro music.

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

Yes. I’m planning to participate on the other ones too.

>> Purchase Chibiloid (Mens)
>> Purchase Chibiloid (Womens)

What first drew you to the Vocaloid culture, and how long have you been illustrating Vocaloid artwork for?

It’s been so long that I can barely remember. All I can recall is my older brother showing me ぢょんP’s cover of Still Alive with Miku and Mikumiku ni Shite Ageru. I can’t remember much after that, but when I found HSP’s Plug Out I realized that I really liked Vocaloid.
I’ve been drawing Vocaloid artwork ever since I found out about Miku, which means I’ve been drawing fan art for 7 years. I’ve also developed my style and skills a whole lot thanks to it. It’s really pleasant to draw Vocaloid because it means a whole lot to me.

What inspired the idea for your final art piece? How many design ideas did you come up with (if more than one)?

I came up with 3 ideas, they are all uploaded on Welovefine and my tumblr. I was inspired by an older design I did for last year’s contest. I thought it would be a nice idea to make a much simpler design, so I drew it.

How would you react to meeting someone wearing a shirt with your design?

I wouldn’t believe it! I still can’t believe that they picked me as a runner up; I can’t even imagine someone wearing my design. I’d be really grateful though. This is what I want to do in the future, so this is a small step towards my dream.

Was there another design from the contest that was your personal favorite pick?

I loved Bad Sector (Krit’s design). I’m planning on buying it as soon as I can.

What would you say is your favorite Vocaloid character(s) and/or Vocaloid song(s)?

Well, this one is hard. I can’t pick just one. Len, Luka, Iroha and Flower are my favorites. I also have a special love towards Miku since she was the first one I listened to.
As for favorite songs… An Ambiguous Reversi (tilt-six), Hi-Fi Girl (KagomeP), Plug Out (HSP), Snow Promenade & Orizzontia (P∴Rhythmatiq).

Will we see you participate again in future art contests?

Yes, this was really fun and I’d love to participate again.

Thank you again to the illustrators for participating in this interview, and thank you for your hard work on these great shirt designs!