ThE RiSE OF JAPANESE GRAPhic DESiGN

The rise of Japanese
Graphic Design
Erika Kirk
AVT 318
5.5.2009
Japan’s Rebirth
“In the first 25 years after the war, Japan carried out democratic, economic
and cultural reforms that normally have taken other countries and entire
century.” – Yusaku Kamekura
(Above image: Aftermath of WWII on the city of Tokyo)
  In 1945 Tokyo was referred to as “ “ which literally means “charred field”
  Japan existed as an isolated country and feudal society until the 19th century
  The Japanese government promoted Westernization as the key to prosperity
Influences
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Japan was influenced immensely by it’s European neighbors
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Russian Constructivism
Dutch De Stijl Movement
German Bauhaus
American packaging, magazines and clothing that civilians wore during
the occupation
The12 Japanese Masters
  Twelve main Japanese designers are highly recognized for furthering
the development of Graphic Design
  Yusaku Kamekura
  Kazumasa Nagai
  Kiyoshi Awasu
  Ikko Tanaka
  Mitsuo Katsui
  Shigeo Fukuda
  Tadanori Yokoo
  Issey Miyake
  Eiko Ishioka
  Toshiyuki Kita
  Koichi Sato
Shigeo Fukuda
  Takenobu Igarashi
Victory (1976) (Above)
Exhibition of his work
(1975) (left)
Defining Characteristics
Traditional Kamon (family crests)
  Included traditional Japanese Iconography
  Linear perspective used
  Dynamic use of typography
Yuksaku Kamekura –
Expo ‘70 (1967)
 Use of geometric shapes
 Simple and balanced compositions
Takenobu Igarashi – 150 (1988)
Client: Kajmi Corporation
Ikko Tanaka – Nihon Buyo (1981)
Japan Dance Poster Client: Asian
performing Arts Institute, UCLA
Mitsuo Katsui - 10 to the power of 64,
10 to the power of 21
 Bright colors
  Use of Photography
Tadanori Yokoo – A ballad
dedicated to the Pink-Cutting
Ceremony (silkscreen, 1966)
Graphic Design in modern day
Japan
  Takashi Murakami
  “Andy Warhol of Japan”
Jellyfish
Eyes
–
Black
4
(2006)
h#p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIiTmmMqNso
Banana Juice Packaging