Creatives In Nature: Taka Kasuga
Our series Creatives In Nature continues with another Canadian-based professional. Living in Vancouver, working at the foothills of some of the most robust nature in the world in North Van, Taka Kasuga is a creative director at Arc’teryx. Taka shares some of his favorite camping gear, places to hike and dreams of Haida Gwaii.
What do you do for work and where are you living?
I am a Creative Director at Arc’teryx, focusing on special projects, new initiatives and Veilance. The design centre is based in North Vancouver and I reside just across the bridge, close enough to cycle to work.
What are your favorite ways to get into nature regularly?
It changes by season and weather conditions throughout the year. We are lucky in Vancouver to experience a true four season climate which offers a lot of variety. In general, I like trail running, camping, hiking, and island hopping.
Do you have any mindfulness practices that you regularly use?
I listen to the cues from my mind and body, and apply them to what I eat, how I exercise, and daily habits. A balanced body and mind is the ultimate goal, which requires constant adjustments.
Did you have any favorite outdoor adventures or trips in the last year?
The pandemic definitely influenced and limited how far we travelled in 2020. We used it as an opportunity to stay in Vancouver and explored a lot of local mountains and nature spots. There’s a quaint mountain lake a short drive from Vancouver that I really like. We camped there a few times in the summer and fall.
What are a couple of your favorite pieces of gear or tools and why? (Bike, shoes, watch, pack, jacket, etc anything)
I upgraded some camping gear that helped to experience nature in comfort; NeoAir XTherm sleeping pads from Therm-a-Rest and sleeping bags from Western Mountaineering were a couple of standout purchases. I always use outdoor trips to wear test development samples and prototypes as well.
How is your experience in nature reflected in your creative work?
Time spent in nature, preferably without cell phone reception, provides clarity and uninterrupted reflection. Those moments are important as a designer; it helps to step outside of yourself.
After a run/ride or trip where you’re away from devices – how do you find your perspective has shifted when you sit back at your computer?
The world appears to change so swiftly, especially last year, and it’s easy to get caught up in what immediately needs to get done. I find that stepping away from the network and the office helps clarify not just what I need to get done of a day-to-day basis, but also hone in on the longer term focus.
What trips or places are on your list to explore in the next year?
We are about to go to a ski trip in a few weeks. I really hope to visit Haida Gwaii when we get to travel again. We were supposed to visit last summer which I had to cancel sadly. The Olympic peninsula in Washington is on my list too.
What tool or piece of gear is on your wish list right now?
An ultralight overnight kit for fastpacking, which I’m still researching.
Is there any way that you’d like to combine your creative process with nature in the future?
It is something we’re already constantly doing at Arc’teryx, testing new technologies in natural environments to gain real design insights.
Taka is creative director at Arc’teryx, focusing on special projects, new initiatives and Veilance based in Vancouver, British Columbia. These photographs are from his adventures in climbing, running and camping, as part of our new series of interviews with Creatives In Nature.
Tags: Creatives In Nature, Movement