菊池 敦己
ATSUKI KIKUCHI

Born in 1974 in Tokyo. Dropped out of Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture. Established Bluemark Inc. in 2000 and his private studio in 2011. He actively engaged in the fields of art, architecture, fashion and crafts. Examples of his work include: art direction for mina perhonen (1995-2004) and Sally Scott (2002-2021); visual identity signage planning for the Aomori Museum of Art (2006) and Omiyamae Gymnasium (2014); magazine and book design for “Shun ga Marugoto” (2007-12), “Soen” (2013) and “Nikkei Kairou” (2015-16); packaging design for Kamenoko Sponge; and more. He also ran the book label “BOOK PEAK” and published art books. His exhibitions include “PLAY” and “Weight and Lightness” (both at Aomori Museum of Art), “Creation Is Free. Production Needs Fee.” (Creation Gallery G8) and “VOCA 2013” (The Ueno Royal Museum).

Read more

服部 一成
KAZUNARI HATTORI

Graphic designer. Born in 1964 in Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts in 1988, and joined Light Publicity Co., Ltd. before started to work freelance in 2001. His works include advertisements for Kewpie Half and East Japan Railway; magazine design for “Ryuko Tsushin,” “here and there” and “Mayonaka”; art direction for Hermès events “Petit h Objects” and “Shape of Dreams - Hermès Bespoke Objects”; creating visual identity for Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo, Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art and POLA; book design for “Nouveau Petit Royal: Dictionnaire Japonais Français”; artwork for rock band Kururi; and more. He received the Mainichi Design Awards, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award Grand Prix, and more.

Read more

中村 至男
NORIO NAKAMURA

Graphic designer. Born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. After graduating from Nihon University College of Art, he worked for Sony Music Entertainment before going freelance. Examples of his work include graphic design for the art unit Maywa Denki, PlayStation game software “I.Q” and “Katte ni Koukoku”(collaborative project with Masahiko Sato), Exhibition “Measuring - This much, That much, How much?” (21_21 DESIGN SIGHT), window display for Ginza Maison Hermès, and more. His publications include “Maywadenki no Koukoku Design” (co-authored with Nobumichi Tosa, NTT Publishing), “Dottoko Doubutsuen,” “Hakase no Hushigi na Pool,” “Tana no Ue Hikojo,” and “Yukida Yukida” (all from Fukuinkan Shoten), and “Santa no Ko” (MUJI Books), etc. He received the 20th Yusaku Kamekura Award, the 2014 BolognaRagazzi Award for Excellence, 2018 Mainichi Design Awards, and more.

Read more

ワビサビ
WABISABI

A design duo formed in 1999 by Ryohei "Wabi" Kudo and Kazushi "Sabi" Nakanishi. They are active in a variety of fields ranging from advertising, graphic design, object design, video, music, interior design, and fashion. Awards received include the ADC Annual Awards Silver Prize, INTERNATIONAL POSTER TRIENNIAL IN TOYAMA 2006 Gold Prize, TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL POSTER FESTIVAL Bronze Prize, D&AD FACE TO WATCH 2009, JAGDA New Designer Award 2005, and the 1st Tokyo Midtown Award Runner-up Grand Prize. A member of "Dezain inc.”

Read more

大原 大次郎
DAIJIRO OHARA

Born in Kanagawa of Japan, 1978. Graduated from the department of Science of Design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, and started working independently in 2003. Expanded projects seeking sensation and perception of words and letters, through graphic design, exhibitions, and workshops. His some main projects include a mobile of typography “Typogravity” topicalizing gravity and graphic series “Ridge Line” reconstructing mountain photography and trekking maps by Takashi Homma. “TypogRAPy” is sound project with Shuta Hasunuma and Jun Kamoda. Awarded JAGDA New Designer Award and TOKYO TDC Award.

Read more

岡室 健
KEN OKAMURO

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1978 in Tokyo. He joined Hakuhodo in 2006 after completing a postgraduate degree in design at The Tokyo University of The Arts, and is currently working at Hakuhodo Creative Vox. While working daily on advertising work, he launched "pages" in 2016 to broaden the new field of expression, and is actively engaged in a wide range of activities, including media development and product creation that combines new technologies and materials. He has received numerous awards, including the Tokyo ADC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award 2008, JAGDA Award, the TDC Award Runner-up Grand Prix, and overseas awards.

Read more

田中 良治
RYOJI TANAKA

Web designer. Born in 1975 in Mie. Graduated from Doshisha University, Faculty of Engineering and International Academy of Media Arts and Sciences. Established Semitransparent Design in 2003. His activities are centered on web design, but not limited to any one area, ranging from website planning and production to graphic design, and exhibitions of his works at museums and galleries in Japan and abroad. Examples of his work include: planning for Semitra Exhibition “tFont/fTime” (Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media) and “Illuminating Graphics 1 & 2” (Creation Gallery G8); exhibiting his works at “Semitransparent Design: Boring/Bored” (Ginza Graphic Gallery) and ICC OPEN SPACE 2008 & 2015; and more.Winner of the Yusaku Kamekura Award 2021.

Read more

渡邉 良重
YOSHIE WATANABE

Art director and graphic designer. Born in Yamaguchi prefecture in 1961. Graduated from Yamaguchi University, and after working at DRAFT, established KIGI with Ryosuke Uehara in 2012. In addition to graphic design, she is also involved in product and fashion design: Product planning for D-BROS, the fashion brand CACUMA with Hobo Nihon, and KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. She has been running a gallery and store calls "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017 and exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2018. Awards Watanabe received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2011, 2017, 2019), and the 19th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2017). Books she drawn are "BROOCH", "UN DEUX", "Journey" and "Shinjuno" which were published by Little More.

Read more

葛西 薫
KAORU KASAI

Art director. Born 1949 in Sapporo. Start working 1973 at SUN AD.
His main work is Suntory Woolong Tea China Series, United Arrows, Toroya's advertising Production and Art direction, Suntory's CI, Roppongi shopping street neon sign, etc.
He is the author of "Catalog of Kaoru Kasai 1968" (ADP)

Read more

キギ
KIGI

2012 Ryosuke Uehara and Yoshie Watanabe start KIGI, helping companies as art directors with their brand or product design, while actively working for the product brand D-BROS and the fashion brand CACUMA as designers. An original brand KIKOF is launched through collaboration with artisans based around Lake Biwa. They also create their own works in wide-ranging fields and freely express them with their outside-the-box mentality and style, exploring new ways of creation. 2015 KIGI opens a gallery and original shop OUR FAVORITE SHOP in Shirokane, Tokyo. 2016 The KIGI in Clematis no Oka exhibition is held at Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum. 2017 The large-scale exhibition KIGI WORK & FREE is held at Utsunomiya Museum of Art. 2018 KIGI participates in Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 Exhibition: The Hojoki Shiki to run YOIGOMA The Standing Sake Bar.

Read more

植原 亮輔
RYOSUKE UEHARA

Creative director and art director. Graduated from Tama Art University, Faculty of Design. After working at DRAFT he established KIGI with Yoshie Watanabe in 2012. In addition to art direction, graphic design, web design, space direction and product design for companies and brands, he also participates in various art projects. He has launched the ceramic brand KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. Ryosuke Uehara is always trying to find a new way of creation with free imaginations and expressions. He has been running the gallery and store "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large-scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at the Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017. He also exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 . Awards Uehara received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2017, 2019), and the 11th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2009).

Read more

髙田 唯
YUI TAKADA

Graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. Graduated from Kuwasawa Design School. Director of Allright Inc., which consists of the graphic design division Allright Graphics and the letterpress printing division Allright Printing. In addition to his design and letterpress work, he has held many exhibitions of his personal artwork. In recent years, an increasing number of projects and exhibitions take place overseas.He received the JAGDA New Designer Award in 2011, the Tokyo ADC Award in 2019, and the TDC Award in 2020.

Read more

浅葉 克己
KATSUMI ASABA

Born in Kanagawa in 1940. After studying at Kanagawa Prefectural Technical High School Design Department, Kuwasawa Design School and working at Keinosuke Sato Typography Research Institute and Light Publicity, he established Katsumi Asaba Design Office in 1975. Representative works include advertising design for Seibu Department Store, Suntory, Takeda Pharmaceutical and Misawa Home, and logos for ISSEY MIYAKE and HOMME PLISSE ISSEY MIYAKE. Received awards include the Tokyo TDC Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Academy Prize for Best Art, Tokyo ADC Award Grand Prix, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun. Asaba is also contributing as chairman of Tokyo TDC, director of JAGDA, member of Tokyo ADC and AGI, 10th director of Kuwasawa Design School. At Tokyo Zokei University and Aomori University he is also a visiting professor. Besides, a six–tired table tennis player.

Read more

矢入 幸一
KOICHI YAIRI

Graphic artist. Born in 1992. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Visual Communication Design. Solo exhibitions in Japan and abroad, including London, Korea, and Japan. His client work includes record jackets, character design, and artwork for apparel and other graphic arts.

Read more

木住野 彰悟
SHOGO KISHINO

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1975 in Tachikawa City, Tokyo. He established the graphic design firm "6D" in 2007. The firm's main focus is on the visual identity of companies and products, along with a wide range of other projects such as logo and package design, and signage for spacial design. Major awards he received include D&AD, Cannes Lions Design Awards, One show Design Awards, Design for Asia Awards, ADC Award, JAGDA Award, Japan Package Design Awards, Sign Design Awards, and many others in Japan and abroad.

Read more

吉田 ユニ
YUNI YOSHIDA

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. After graduating from Joshibi University of Art and Design, she joined Onuki Design. After working for Space Country, she became independent in 2007, actively working in a wide range of fields including advertising, CD cover arts, bookbinding, and video. Major works include advertisements for LUMINE, LOWRYS FARM, and ettusais, CD cover arts for Chara, Kaela Kimura, and Gen Hoshino, UNIQLO x DISNEY collaboration, and art direction for a brand produced by Naomi Watanabe. Winner of the 2016 Tokyo ADC Award and the 2019 Mainichi Design Award.

Read more

青木 克憲
KATSUNORI AOKI

Creative director. Born in 1965 in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. After working for SUN-AD Company Limited, he established butterfly stroke inc. Examples of his work include branding and creative direction for Yoshinoya, Fields, Ultraman and Kirin Lager Beer; advertising and graphic design for Coca-Cola and Utada Hikaru; designing logo marks for Yomiuri Giants and Hobonichi Itoi Newspaper; character design for Copet and Kami-Robo; and more.Major awards he received include the Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award, ACC Award, YouTube Ads Leaderboard, and more.

Read more

仲條 正義 (1933-2021)
MASAYOSHI NAKAJO

Born in Tokyo in 1933. Nakajo graduated from faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 1956. Became freelance in 1960 and established Nakajo Design Office in 1961. He kept doing art direction and design for Shiseido's corporate culture magazine Hanatsubaki, The Ginza and Tactics Design; CI planning for Matsuya Ginza, Wacoal Spiral, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Hosomi Museum; Logotype and package design for Shiseido Parlor, etc. Received the Gold Award from TDC, the Highest Award from ADC, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Advertising Award, Yamana Award, and many others. Also mentionable awards are the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun.

Photo by Shingo Wakagi

Read more

井上 嗣也
TSUGUYA INOUE

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1947. Established “Beans” in 1978. He does art direction for advertising, music, publishing,TV etc. His style is strong in integrating photography and typography. Published “GRAPHIC WORKS 1981-2007", “GRAPHIC TALKING THE DRAGON”, “THE BURNING HEAVEN” (published by Little more) by Tsuguya Inoue. Received numerous prizes including Tokyo ADC Grand Prix, Tokyo TDC Grand Prix, Japan Advertising Award Yamana Award, Mainichi Design Award etc.

Read more

菊池 敦己
ATSUKI KIKUCHI

Born in 1974 in Tokyo. Dropped out of Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture. Established Bluemark Inc. in 2000 and his private studio in 2011. He actively engaged in the fields of art, architecture, fashion and crafts. Examples of his work include: art direction for mina perhonen (1995-2004) and Sally Scott (2002-2021); visual identity signage planning for the Aomori Museum of Art (2006) and Omiyamae Gymnasium (2014); magazine and book design for “Shun ga Marugoto” (2007-12), “Soen” (2013) and “Nikkei Kairou” (2015-16); packaging design for Kamenoko Sponge; and more. He also ran the book label “BOOK PEAK” and published art books. His exhibitions include “PLAY” and “Weight and Lightness” (both at Aomori Museum of Art), “Creation Is Free. Production Needs Fee.” (Creation Gallery G8) and “VOCA 2013” (The Ueno Royal Museum).

Read more

青木 克憲
KATSUNORI AOKI

Creative director. Born in 1965 in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. After working for SUN-AD Company Limited, he established butterfly stroke inc. Examples of his work include branding and creative direction for Yoshinoya, Fields, Ultraman and Kirin Lager Beer; advertising and graphic design for Coca-Cola and Utada Hikaru; designing logo marks for Yomiuri Giants and Hobonichi Itoi Newspaper; character design for Copet and Kami-Robo; and more.Major awards he received include the Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award, ACC Award, YouTube Ads Leaderboard, and more.

Read more

矢入 幸一
KOICHI YAIRI

Graphic artist. Born in 1992. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Visual Communication Design. Solo exhibitions in Japan and abroad, including London, Korea, and Japan. His client work includes record jackets, character design, and artwork for apparel and other graphic arts.

Read more

植原 亮輔
RYOSUKE UEHARA

Creative director and art director. Graduated from Tama Art University, Faculty of Design. After working at DRAFT he established KIGI with Yoshie Watanabe in 2012. In addition to art direction, graphic design, web design, space direction and product design for companies and brands, he also participates in various art projects. He has launched the ceramic brand KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. Ryosuke Uehara is always trying to find a new way of creation with free imaginations and expressions. He has been running the gallery and store "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large-scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at the Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017. He also exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 . Awards Uehara received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2017, 2019), and the 11th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2009).

Read more

渡邉 良重
YOSHIE WATANABE

Art director and graphic designer. Born in Yamaguchi prefecture in 1961. Graduated from Yamaguchi University, and after working at DRAFT, established KIGI with Ryosuke Uehara in 2012. In addition to graphic design, she is also involved in product and fashion design: Product planning for D-BROS, the fashion brand CACUMA with Hobo Nihon, and KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. She has been running a gallery and store calls "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017 and exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2018. Awards Watanabe received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2011, 2017, 2019), and the 19th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2017). Books she drawn are "BROOCH", "UN DEUX", "Journey" and "Shinjuno" which were published by Little More.

Read more

大原 大次郎
DAIJIRO OHARA

Born in Kanagawa of Japan, 1978. Graduated from the department of Science of Design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, and started working independently in 2003. Expanded projects seeking sensation and perception of words and letters, through graphic design, exhibitions, and workshops. His some main projects include a mobile of typography “Typogravity” topicalizing gravity and graphic series “Ridge Line” reconstructing mountain photography and trekking maps by Takashi Homma. “TypogRAPy” is sound project with Shuta Hasunuma and Jun Kamoda. Awarded JAGDA New Designer Award and TOKYO TDC Award.

Read more

服部 一成
KAZUNARI HATTORI

Graphic designer. Born in 1964 in Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts in 1988, and joined Light Publicity Co., Ltd. before started to work freelance in 2001. His works include advertisements for Kewpie Half and East Japan Railway; magazine design for “Ryuko Tsushin,” “here and there” and “Mayonaka”; art direction for Hermès events “Petit h Objects” and “Shape of Dreams - Hermès Bespoke Objects”; creating visual identity for Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo, Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art and POLA; book design for “Nouveau Petit Royal: Dictionnaire Japonais Français”; artwork for rock band Kururi; and more. He received the Mainichi Design Awards, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award Grand Prix, and more.

Read more

仲條 正義 (1933-2021)
MASAYOSHI NAKAJO

Born in Tokyo in 1933. Nakajo graduated from faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 1956. Became freelance in 1960 and established Nakajo Design Office in 1961. He kept doing art direction and design for Shiseido's corporate culture magazine Hanatsubaki, The Ginza and Tactics Design; CI planning for Matsuya Ginza, Wacoal Spiral, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Hosomi Museum; Logotype and package design for Shiseido Parlor, etc. Received the Gold Award from TDC, the Highest Award from ADC, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Advertising Award, Yamana Award, and many others. Also mentionable awards are the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun.

Photo by Shingo Wakagi

Read more

木住野 彰悟
SHOGO KISHINO

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1975 in Tachikawa City, Tokyo. He established the graphic design firm "6D" in 2007. The firm's main focus is on the visual identity of companies and products, along with a wide range of other projects such as logo and package design, and signage for spacial design. Major awards he received include D&AD, Cannes Lions Design Awards, One show Design Awards, Design for Asia Awards, ADC Award, JAGDA Award, Japan Package Design Awards, Sign Design Awards, and many others in Japan and abroad.

Read more

髙田 唯
YUI TAKADA

Graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. Graduated from Kuwasawa Design School. Director of Allright Inc., which consists of the graphic design division Allright Graphics and the letterpress printing division Allright Printing. In addition to his design and letterpress work, he has held many exhibitions of his personal artwork. In recent years, an increasing number of projects and exhibitions take place overseas.He received the JAGDA New Designer Award in 2011, the Tokyo ADC Award in 2019, and the TDC Award in 2020.

Read more

葛西 薫
KAORU KASAI

Art director. Born 1949 in Sapporo. Start working 1973 at SUN AD.
His main work is Suntory Woolong Tea China Series, United Arrows, Toroya's advertising Production and Art direction, Suntory's CI, Roppongi shopping street neon sign, etc.
He is the author of "Catalog of Kaoru Kasai 1968" (ADP)

Read more

岡室 健
KEN OKAMURO

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1978 in Tokyo. He joined Hakuhodo in 2006 after completing a postgraduate degree in design at The Tokyo University of The Arts, and is currently working at Hakuhodo Creative Vox. While working daily on advertising work, he launched "pages" in 2016 to broaden the new field of expression, and is actively engaged in a wide range of activities, including media development and product creation that combines new technologies and materials. He has received numerous awards, including the Tokyo ADC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award 2008, JAGDA Award, the TDC Award Runner-up Grand Prix, and overseas awards.

Read more

中村 至男
NORIO NAKAMURA

Graphic designer. Born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. After graduating from Nihon University College of Art, he worked for Sony Music Entertainment before going freelance. Examples of his work include graphic design for the art unit Maywa Denki, PlayStation game software “I.Q” and “Katte ni Koukoku”(collaborative project with Masahiko Sato), Exhibition “Measuring - This much, That much, How much?” (21_21 DESIGN SIGHT), window display for Ginza Maison Hermès, and more. His publications include “Maywadenki no Koukoku Design” (co-authored with Nobumichi Tosa, NTT Publishing), “Dottoko Doubutsuen,” “Hakase no Hushigi na Pool,” “Tana no Ue Hikojo,” and “Yukida Yukida” (all from Fukuinkan Shoten), and “Santa no Ko” (MUJI Books), etc. He received the 20th Yusaku Kamekura Award, the 2014 BolognaRagazzi Award for Excellence, 2018 Mainichi Design Awards, and more.

Read more

井上 嗣也
TSUGUYA INOUE

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1947. Established “Beans” in 1978. He does art direction for advertising, music, publishing,TV etc. His style is strong in integrating photography and typography. Published “GRAPHIC WORKS 1981-2007", “GRAPHIC TALKING THE DRAGON”, “THE BURNING HEAVEN” (published by Little more) by Tsuguya Inoue. Received numerous prizes including Tokyo ADC Grand Prix, Tokyo TDC Grand Prix, Japan Advertising Award Yamana Award, Mainichi Design Award etc.

Read more

吉田 ユニ
YUNI YOSHIDA

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. After graduating from Joshibi University of Art and Design, she joined Onuki Design. After working for Space Country, she became independent in 2007, actively working in a wide range of fields including advertising, CD cover arts, bookbinding, and video. Major works include advertisements for LUMINE, LOWRYS FARM, and ettusais, CD cover arts for Chara, Kaela Kimura, and Gen Hoshino, UNIQLO x DISNEY collaboration, and art direction for a brand produced by Naomi Watanabe. Winner of the 2016 Tokyo ADC Award and the 2019 Mainichi Design Award.

Read more

浅葉 克己
KATSUMI ASABA

Born in Kanagawa in 1940. After studying at Kanagawa Prefectural Technical High School Design Department, Kuwasawa Design School and working at Keinosuke Sato Typography Research Institute and Light Publicity, he established Katsumi Asaba Design Office in 1975. Representative works include advertising design for Seibu Department Store, Suntory, Takeda Pharmaceutical and Misawa Home, and logos for ISSEY MIYAKE and HOMME PLISSE ISSEY MIYAKE. Received awards include the Tokyo TDC Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Academy Prize for Best Art, Tokyo ADC Award Grand Prix, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun. Asaba is also contributing as chairman of Tokyo TDC, director of JAGDA, member of Tokyo ADC and AGI, 10th director of Kuwasawa Design School. At Tokyo Zokei University and Aomori University he is also a visiting professor. Besides, a six–tired table tennis player.

Read more

キギ
KIGI

2012 Ryosuke Uehara and Yoshie Watanabe start KIGI, helping companies as art directors with their brand or product design, while actively working for the product brand D-BROS and the fashion brand CACUMA as designers. An original brand KIKOF is launched through collaboration with artisans based around Lake Biwa. They also create their own works in wide-ranging fields and freely express them with their outside-the-box mentality and style, exploring new ways of creation. 2015 KIGI opens a gallery and original shop OUR FAVORITE SHOP in Shirokane, Tokyo. 2016 The KIGI in Clematis no Oka exhibition is held at Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum. 2017 The large-scale exhibition KIGI WORK & FREE is held at Utsunomiya Museum of Art. 2018 KIGI participates in Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 Exhibition: The Hojoki Shiki to run YOIGOMA The Standing Sake Bar.

Read more

田中 良治
RYOJI TANAKA

Web designer. Born in 1975 in Mie. Graduated from Doshisha University, Faculty of Engineering and International Academy of Media Arts and Sciences. Established Semitransparent Design in 2003. His activities are centered on web design, but not limited to any one area, ranging from website planning and production to graphic design, and exhibitions of his works at museums and galleries in Japan and abroad. Examples of his work include: planning for Semitra Exhibition “tFont/fTime” (Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media) and “Illuminating Graphics 1 & 2” (Creation Gallery G8); exhibiting his works at “Semitransparent Design: Boring/Bored” (Ginza Graphic Gallery) and ICC OPEN SPACE 2008 & 2015; and more.Winner of the Yusaku Kamekura Award 2021.

Read more

ワビサビ
WABISABI

A design duo formed in 1999 by Ryohei "Wabi" Kudo and Kazushi "Sabi" Nakanishi. They are active in a variety of fields ranging from advertising, graphic design, object design, video, music, interior design, and fashion. Awards received include the ADC Annual Awards Silver Prize, INTERNATIONAL POSTER TRIENNIAL IN TOYAMA 2006 Gold Prize, TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL POSTER FESTIVAL Bronze Prize, D&AD FACE TO WATCH 2009, JAGDA New Designer Award 2005, and the 1st Tokyo Midtown Award Runner-up Grand Prize. A member of "Dezain inc.”

Read more

菊池 敦己
ATSUKI KIKUCHI

Born in 1974 in Tokyo. Dropped out of Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture. Established Bluemark Inc. in 2000 and his private studio in 2011. He actively engaged in the fields of art, architecture, fashion and crafts. Examples of his work include: art direction for mina perhonen (1995-2004) and Sally Scott (2002-2021); visual identity signage planning for the Aomori Museum of Art (2006) and Omiyamae Gymnasium (2014); magazine and book design for “Shun ga Marugoto” (2007-12), “Soen” (2013) and “Nikkei Kairou” (2015-16); packaging design for Kamenoko Sponge; and more. He also ran the book label “BOOK PEAK” and published art books. His exhibitions include “PLAY” and “Weight and Lightness” (both at Aomori Museum of Art), “Creation Is Free. Production Needs Fee.” (Creation Gallery G8) and “VOCA 2013” (The Ueno Royal Museum).

Read more

浅葉 克己
KATSUMI ASABA

Born in Kanagawa in 1940. After studying at Kanagawa Prefectural Technical High School Design Department, Kuwasawa Design School and working at Keinosuke Sato Typography Research Institute and Light Publicity, he established Katsumi Asaba Design Office in 1975. Representative works include advertising design for Seibu Department Store, Suntory, Takeda Pharmaceutical and Misawa Home, and logos for ISSEY MIYAKE and HOMME PLISSE ISSEY MIYAKE. Received awards include the Tokyo TDC Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Academy Prize for Best Art, Tokyo ADC Award Grand Prix, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun. Asaba is also contributing as chairman of Tokyo TDC, director of JAGDA, member of Tokyo ADC and AGI, 10th director of Kuwasawa Design School. At Tokyo Zokei University and Aomori University he is also a visiting professor. Besides, a six–tired table tennis player.

Read more

岡室 健
KEN OKAMURO

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1978 in Tokyo. He joined Hakuhodo in 2006 after completing a postgraduate degree in design at The Tokyo University of The Arts, and is currently working at Hakuhodo Creative Vox. While working daily on advertising work, he launched "pages" in 2016 to broaden the new field of expression, and is actively engaged in a wide range of activities, including media development and product creation that combines new technologies and materials. He has received numerous awards, including the Tokyo ADC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award 2008, JAGDA Award, the TDC Award Runner-up Grand Prix, and overseas awards.

Read more

仲條 正義 (1933-2021)
MASAYOSHI NAKAJO

Born in Tokyo in 1933. Nakajo graduated from faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 1956. Became freelance in 1960 and established Nakajo Design Office in 1961. He kept doing art direction and design for Shiseido's corporate culture magazine Hanatsubaki, The Ginza and Tactics Design; CI planning for Matsuya Ginza, Wacoal Spiral, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Hosomi Museum; Logotype and package design for Shiseido Parlor, etc. Received the Gold Award from TDC, the Highest Award from ADC, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Advertising Award, Yamana Award, and many others. Also mentionable awards are the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun.

Photo by Shingo Wakagi

Read more

植原 亮輔
RYOSUKE UEHARA

Creative director and art director. Graduated from Tama Art University, Faculty of Design. After working at DRAFT he established KIGI with Yoshie Watanabe in 2012. In addition to art direction, graphic design, web design, space direction and product design for companies and brands, he also participates in various art projects. He has launched the ceramic brand KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. Ryosuke Uehara is always trying to find a new way of creation with free imaginations and expressions. He has been running the gallery and store "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large-scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at the Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017. He also exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 . Awards Uehara received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2017, 2019), and the 11th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2009).

Read more

ワビサビ
WABISABI

A design duo formed in 1999 by Ryohei "Wabi" Kudo and Kazushi "Sabi" Nakanishi. They are active in a variety of fields ranging from advertising, graphic design, object design, video, music, interior design, and fashion. Awards received include the ADC Annual Awards Silver Prize, INTERNATIONAL POSTER TRIENNIAL IN TOYAMA 2006 Gold Prize, TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL POSTER FESTIVAL Bronze Prize, D&AD FACE TO WATCH 2009, JAGDA New Designer Award 2005, and the 1st Tokyo Midtown Award Runner-up Grand Prize. A member of "Dezain inc.”

Read more

吉田 ユニ
YUNI YOSHIDA

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. After graduating from Joshibi University of Art and Design, she joined Onuki Design. After working for Space Country, she became independent in 2007, actively working in a wide range of fields including advertising, CD cover arts, bookbinding, and video. Major works include advertisements for LUMINE, LOWRYS FARM, and ettusais, CD cover arts for Chara, Kaela Kimura, and Gen Hoshino, UNIQLO x DISNEY collaboration, and art direction for a brand produced by Naomi Watanabe. Winner of the 2016 Tokyo ADC Award and the 2019 Mainichi Design Award.

Read more

大原 大次郎
DAIJIRO OHARA

Born in Kanagawa of Japan, 1978. Graduated from the department of Science of Design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, and started working independently in 2003. Expanded projects seeking sensation and perception of words and letters, through graphic design, exhibitions, and workshops. His some main projects include a mobile of typography “Typogravity” topicalizing gravity and graphic series “Ridge Line” reconstructing mountain photography and trekking maps by Takashi Homma. “TypogRAPy” is sound project with Shuta Hasunuma and Jun Kamoda. Awarded JAGDA New Designer Award and TOKYO TDC Award.

Read more

青木 克憲
KATSUNORI AOKI

Creative director. Born in 1965 in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. After working for SUN-AD Company Limited, he established butterfly stroke inc. Examples of his work include branding and creative direction for Yoshinoya, Fields, Ultraman and Kirin Lager Beer; advertising and graphic design for Coca-Cola and Utada Hikaru; designing logo marks for Yomiuri Giants and Hobonichi Itoi Newspaper; character design for Copet and Kami-Robo; and more.Major awards he received include the Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award, ACC Award, YouTube Ads Leaderboard, and more.

Read more

キギ
KIGI

2012 Ryosuke Uehara and Yoshie Watanabe start KIGI, helping companies as art directors with their brand or product design, while actively working for the product brand D-BROS and the fashion brand CACUMA as designers. An original brand KIKOF is launched through collaboration with artisans based around Lake Biwa. They also create their own works in wide-ranging fields and freely express them with their outside-the-box mentality and style, exploring new ways of creation. 2015 KIGI opens a gallery and original shop OUR FAVORITE SHOP in Shirokane, Tokyo. 2016 The KIGI in Clematis no Oka exhibition is held at Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum. 2017 The large-scale exhibition KIGI WORK & FREE is held at Utsunomiya Museum of Art. 2018 KIGI participates in Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 Exhibition: The Hojoki Shiki to run YOIGOMA The Standing Sake Bar.

Read more

中村 至男
NORIO NAKAMURA

Graphic designer. Born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. After graduating from Nihon University College of Art, he worked for Sony Music Entertainment before going freelance. Examples of his work include graphic design for the art unit Maywa Denki, PlayStation game software “I.Q” and “Katte ni Koukoku”(collaborative project with Masahiko Sato), Exhibition “Measuring - This much, That much, How much?” (21_21 DESIGN SIGHT), window display for Ginza Maison Hermès, and more. His publications include “Maywadenki no Koukoku Design” (co-authored with Nobumichi Tosa, NTT Publishing), “Dottoko Doubutsuen,” “Hakase no Hushigi na Pool,” “Tana no Ue Hikojo,” and “Yukida Yukida” (all from Fukuinkan Shoten), and “Santa no Ko” (MUJI Books), etc. He received the 20th Yusaku Kamekura Award, the 2014 BolognaRagazzi Award for Excellence, 2018 Mainichi Design Awards, and more.

Read more

木住野 彰悟
SHOGO KISHINO

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1975 in Tachikawa City, Tokyo. He established the graphic design firm "6D" in 2007. The firm's main focus is on the visual identity of companies and products, along with a wide range of other projects such as logo and package design, and signage for spacial design. Major awards he received include D&AD, Cannes Lions Design Awards, One show Design Awards, Design for Asia Awards, ADC Award, JAGDA Award, Japan Package Design Awards, Sign Design Awards, and many others in Japan and abroad.

Read more

渡邉 良重
YOSHIE WATANABE

Art director and graphic designer. Born in Yamaguchi prefecture in 1961. Graduated from Yamaguchi University, and after working at DRAFT, established KIGI with Ryosuke Uehara in 2012. In addition to graphic design, she is also involved in product and fashion design: Product planning for D-BROS, the fashion brand CACUMA with Hobo Nihon, and KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. She has been running a gallery and store calls "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017 and exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2018. Awards Watanabe received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2011, 2017, 2019), and the 19th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2017). Books she drawn are "BROOCH", "UN DEUX", "Journey" and "Shinjuno" which were published by Little More.

Read more

葛西 薫
KAORU KASAI

Art director. Born 1949 in Sapporo. Start working 1973 at SUN AD.
His main work is Suntory Woolong Tea China Series, United Arrows, Toroya's advertising Production and Art direction, Suntory's CI, Roppongi shopping street neon sign, etc.
He is the author of "Catalog of Kaoru Kasai 1968" (ADP)

Read more

服部 一成
KAZUNARI HATTORI

Graphic designer. Born in 1964 in Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts in 1988, and joined Light Publicity Co., Ltd. before started to work freelance in 2001. His works include advertisements for Kewpie Half and East Japan Railway; magazine design for “Ryuko Tsushin,” “here and there” and “Mayonaka”; art direction for Hermès events “Petit h Objects” and “Shape of Dreams - Hermès Bespoke Objects”; creating visual identity for Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo, Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art and POLA; book design for “Nouveau Petit Royal: Dictionnaire Japonais Français”; artwork for rock band Kururi; and more. He received the Mainichi Design Awards, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award Grand Prix, and more.

Read more

矢入 幸一
KOICHI YAIRI

Graphic artist. Born in 1992. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Visual Communication Design. Solo exhibitions in Japan and abroad, including London, Korea, and Japan. His client work includes record jackets, character design, and artwork for apparel and other graphic arts.

Read more

田中 良治
RYOJI TANAKA

Web designer. Born in 1975 in Mie. Graduated from Doshisha University, Faculty of Engineering and International Academy of Media Arts and Sciences. Established Semitransparent Design in 2003. His activities are centered on web design, but not limited to any one area, ranging from website planning and production to graphic design, and exhibitions of his works at museums and galleries in Japan and abroad. Examples of his work include: planning for Semitra Exhibition “tFont/fTime” (Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media) and “Illuminating Graphics 1 & 2” (Creation Gallery G8); exhibiting his works at “Semitransparent Design: Boring/Bored” (Ginza Graphic Gallery) and ICC OPEN SPACE 2008 & 2015; and more.Winner of the Yusaku Kamekura Award 2021.

Read more

井上 嗣也
TSUGUYA INOUE

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1947. Established “Beans” in 1978. He does art direction for advertising, music, publishing,TV etc. His style is strong in integrating photography and typography. Published “GRAPHIC WORKS 1981-2007", “GRAPHIC TALKING THE DRAGON”, “THE BURNING HEAVEN” (published by Little more) by Tsuguya Inoue. Received numerous prizes including Tokyo ADC Grand Prix, Tokyo TDC Grand Prix, Japan Advertising Award Yamana Award, Mainichi Design Award etc.

Read more

髙田 唯
YUI TAKADA

Graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. Graduated from Kuwasawa Design School. Director of Allright Inc., which consists of the graphic design division Allright Graphics and the letterpress printing division Allright Printing. In addition to his design and letterpress work, he has held many exhibitions of his personal artwork. In recent years, an increasing number of projects and exhibitions take place overseas.He received the JAGDA New Designer Award in 2011, the Tokyo ADC Award in 2019, and the TDC Award in 2020.

Read more

菊池 敦己
ATSUKI KIKUCHI

Born in 1974 in Tokyo. Dropped out of Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture. Established Bluemark Inc. in 2000 and his private studio in 2011. He actively engaged in the fields of art, architecture, fashion and crafts. Examples of his work include: art direction for mina perhonen (1995-2004) and Sally Scott (2002-2021); visual identity signage planning for the Aomori Museum of Art (2006) and Omiyamae Gymnasium (2014); magazine and book design for “Shun ga Marugoto” (2007-12), “Soen” (2013) and “Nikkei Kairou” (2015-16); packaging design for Kamenoko Sponge; and more. He also ran the book label “BOOK PEAK” and published art books. His exhibitions include “PLAY” and “Weight and Lightness” (both at Aomori Museum of Art), “Creation Is Free. Production Needs Fee.” (Creation Gallery G8) and “VOCA 2013” (The Ueno Royal Museum).

Read more

葛西 薫
KAORU KASAI

Art director. Born 1949 in Sapporo. Start working 1973 at SUN AD.
His main work is Suntory Woolong Tea China Series, United Arrows, Toroya's advertising Production and Art direction, Suntory's CI, Roppongi shopping street neon sign, etc.
He is the author of "Catalog of Kaoru Kasai 1968" (ADP)

Read more

青木 克憲
KATSUNORI AOKI

Creative director. Born in 1965 in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. After working for SUN-AD Company Limited, he established butterfly stroke inc. Examples of his work include branding and creative direction for Yoshinoya, Fields, Ultraman and Kirin Lager Beer; advertising and graphic design for Coca-Cola and Utada Hikaru; designing logo marks for Yomiuri Giants and Hobonichi Itoi Newspaper; character design for Copet and Kami-Robo; and more.Major awards he received include the Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award, ACC Award, YouTube Ads Leaderboard, and more.

Read more

岡室 健
KEN OKAMURO

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1978 in Tokyo. He joined Hakuhodo in 2006 after completing a postgraduate degree in design at The Tokyo University of The Arts, and is currently working at Hakuhodo Creative Vox. While working daily on advertising work, he launched "pages" in 2016 to broaden the new field of expression, and is actively engaged in a wide range of activities, including media development and product creation that combines new technologies and materials. He has received numerous awards, including the Tokyo ADC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award 2008, JAGDA Award, the TDC Award Runner-up Grand Prix, and overseas awards.

Read more

矢入 幸一
KOICHI YAIRI

Graphic artist. Born in 1992. Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Visual Communication Design. Solo exhibitions in Japan and abroad, including London, Korea, and Japan. His client work includes record jackets, character design, and artwork for apparel and other graphic arts.

Read more

中村 至男
NORIO NAKAMURA

Graphic designer. Born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. After graduating from Nihon University College of Art, he worked for Sony Music Entertainment before going freelance. Examples of his work include graphic design for the art unit Maywa Denki, PlayStation game software “I.Q” and “Katte ni Koukoku”(collaborative project with Masahiko Sato), Exhibition “Measuring - This much, That much, How much?” (21_21 DESIGN SIGHT), window display for Ginza Maison Hermès, and more. His publications include “Maywadenki no Koukoku Design” (co-authored with Nobumichi Tosa, NTT Publishing), “Dottoko Doubutsuen,” “Hakase no Hushigi na Pool,” “Tana no Ue Hikojo,” and “Yukida Yukida” (all from Fukuinkan Shoten), and “Santa no Ko” (MUJI Books), etc. He received the 20th Yusaku Kamekura Award, the 2014 BolognaRagazzi Award for Excellence, 2018 Mainichi Design Awards, and more.

Read more

植原 亮輔
RYOSUKE UEHARA

Creative director and art director. Graduated from Tama Art University, Faculty of Design. After working at DRAFT he established KIGI with Yoshie Watanabe in 2012. In addition to art direction, graphic design, web design, space direction and product design for companies and brands, he also participates in various art projects. He has launched the ceramic brand KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. Ryosuke Uehara is always trying to find a new way of creation with free imaginations and expressions. He has been running the gallery and store "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large-scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at the Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017. He also exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 . Awards Uehara received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2017, 2019), and the 11th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2009).

Read more

井上 嗣也
TSUGUYA INOUE

Graphic designer and art director. Born in 1947. Established “Beans” in 1978. He does art direction for advertising, music, publishing,TV etc. His style is strong in integrating photography and typography. Published “GRAPHIC WORKS 1981-2007", “GRAPHIC TALKING THE DRAGON”, “THE BURNING HEAVEN” (published by Little more) by Tsuguya Inoue. Received numerous prizes including Tokyo ADC Grand Prix, Tokyo TDC Grand Prix, Japan Advertising Award Yamana Award, Mainichi Design Award etc.

Read more

渡邉 良重
YOSHIE WATANABE

Art director and graphic designer. Born in Yamaguchi prefecture in 1961. Graduated from Yamaguchi University, and after working at DRAFT, established KIGI with Ryosuke Uehara in 2012. In addition to graphic design, she is also involved in product and fashion design: Product planning for D-BROS, the fashion brand CACUMA with Hobo Nihon, and KIKOF with artisans in Shiga. She has been running a gallery and store calls "OUR FAVOURITE SHOP" in Shirokane, Tokyo since 2015, and held a large scale solo exhibition "KIGI WORK & FREE" at Utsunomiya Museum of Art in 2017 and exhibited "Standing Sake BAR, Drunken Dokugaku" at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial 2018. Awards Watanabe received are the Tokyo ADC Grand Prix (2015), Tokyo ADC Member Award (2011, 2017, 2019), and the 19th Yusaku Kamekura Award (2017). Books she drawn are "BROOCH", "UN DEUX", "Journey" and "Shinjuno" which were published by Little More.

Read more

吉田 ユニ
YUNI YOSHIDA

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. After graduating from Joshibi University of Art and Design, she joined Onuki Design. After working for Space Country, she became independent in 2007, actively working in a wide range of fields including advertising, CD cover arts, bookbinding, and video. Major works include advertisements for LUMINE, LOWRYS FARM, and ettusais, CD cover arts for Chara, Kaela Kimura, and Gen Hoshino, UNIQLO x DISNEY collaboration, and art direction for a brand produced by Naomi Watanabe. Winner of the 2016 Tokyo ADC Award and the 2019 Mainichi Design Award.

Read more

大原 大次郎
DAIJIRO OHARA

Born in Kanagawa of Japan, 1978. Graduated from the department of Science of Design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, and started working independently in 2003. Expanded projects seeking sensation and perception of words and letters, through graphic design, exhibitions, and workshops. His some main projects include a mobile of typography “Typogravity” topicalizing gravity and graphic series “Ridge Line” reconstructing mountain photography and trekking maps by Takashi Homma. “TypogRAPy” is sound project with Shuta Hasunuma and Jun Kamoda. Awarded JAGDA New Designer Award and TOKYO TDC Award.

Read more

浅葉 克己
KATSUMI ASABA

Born in Kanagawa in 1940. After studying at Kanagawa Prefectural Technical High School Design Department, Kuwasawa Design School and working at Keinosuke Sato Typography Research Institute and Light Publicity, he established Katsumi Asaba Design Office in 1975. Representative works include advertising design for Seibu Department Store, Suntory, Takeda Pharmaceutical and Misawa Home, and logos for ISSEY MIYAKE and HOMME PLISSE ISSEY MIYAKE. Received awards include the Tokyo TDC Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Academy Prize for Best Art, Tokyo ADC Award Grand Prix, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun. Asaba is also contributing as chairman of Tokyo TDC, director of JAGDA, member of Tokyo ADC and AGI, 10th director of Kuwasawa Design School. At Tokyo Zokei University and Aomori University he is also a visiting professor. Besides, a six–tired table tennis player.

Read more

服部 一成
KAZUNARI HATTORI

Graphic designer. Born in 1964 in Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts in 1988, and joined Light Publicity Co., Ltd. before started to work freelance in 2001. His works include advertisements for Kewpie Half and East Japan Railway; magazine design for “Ryuko Tsushin,” “here and there” and “Mayonaka”; art direction for Hermès events “Petit h Objects” and “Shape of Dreams - Hermès Bespoke Objects”; creating visual identity for Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo, Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art and POLA; book design for “Nouveau Petit Royal: Dictionnaire Japonais Français”; artwork for rock band Kururi; and more. He received the Mainichi Design Awards, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Tokyo ADC Award, Tokyo TDC Award Grand Prix, and more.

Read more

キギ
KIGI

2012 Ryosuke Uehara and Yoshie Watanabe start KIGI, helping companies as art directors with their brand or product design, while actively working for the product brand D-BROS and the fashion brand CACUMA as designers. An original brand KIKOF is launched through collaboration with artisans based around Lake Biwa. They also create their own works in wide-ranging fields and freely express them with their outside-the-box mentality and style, exploring new ways of creation. 2015 KIGI opens a gallery and original shop OUR FAVORITE SHOP in Shirokane, Tokyo. 2016 The KIGI in Clematis no Oka exhibition is held at Vangi Sculpture Garden Museum. 2017 The large-scale exhibition KIGI WORK & FREE is held at Utsunomiya Museum of Art. 2018 KIGI participates in Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 Exhibition: The Hojoki Shiki to run YOIGOMA The Standing Sake Bar.

Read more

仲條 正義 (1933-2021)
MASAYOSHI NAKAJO

Born in Tokyo in 1933. Nakajo graduated from faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 1956. Became freelance in 1960 and established Nakajo Design Office in 1961. He kept doing art direction and design for Shiseido's corporate culture magazine Hanatsubaki, The Ginza and Tactics Design; CI planning for Matsuya Ginza, Wacoal Spiral, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and Hosomi Museum; Logotype and package design for Shiseido Parlor, etc. Received the Gold Award from TDC, the Highest Award from ADC, Yusaku Kamekura Award, Mainichi Design Award, Japan Advertising Award, Yamana Award, and many others. Also mentionable awards are the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun.

Photo by Shingo Wakagi

Read more

田中 良治
RYOJI TANAKA

Web designer. Born in 1975 in Mie. Graduated from Doshisha University, Faculty of Engineering and International Academy of Media Arts and Sciences. Established Semitransparent Design in 2003. His activities are centered on web design, but not limited to any one area, ranging from website planning and production to graphic design, and exhibitions of his works at museums and galleries in Japan and abroad. Examples of his work include: planning for Semitra Exhibition “tFont/fTime” (Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media) and “Illuminating Graphics 1 & 2” (Creation Gallery G8); exhibiting his works at “Semitransparent Design: Boring/Bored” (Ginza Graphic Gallery) and ICC OPEN SPACE 2008 & 2015; and more.Winner of the Yusaku Kamekura Award 2021.

Read more

木住野 彰悟
SHOGO KISHINO

Art director and graphic designer. Born in 1975 in Tachikawa City, Tokyo. He established the graphic design firm "6D" in 2007. The firm's main focus is on the visual identity of companies and products, along with a wide range of other projects such as logo and package design, and signage for spacial design. Major awards he received include D&AD, Cannes Lions Design Awards, One show Design Awards, Design for Asia Awards, ADC Award, JAGDA Award, Japan Package Design Awards, Sign Design Awards, and many others in Japan and abroad.

Read more

ワビサビ
WABISABI

A design duo formed in 1999 by Ryohei "Wabi" Kudo and Kazushi "Sabi" Nakanishi. They are active in a variety of fields ranging from advertising, graphic design, object design, video, music, interior design, and fashion. Awards received include the ADC Annual Awards Silver Prize, INTERNATIONAL POSTER TRIENNIAL IN TOYAMA 2006 Gold Prize, TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL POSTER FESTIVAL Bronze Prize, D&AD FACE TO WATCH 2009, JAGDA New Designer Award 2005, and the 1st Tokyo Midtown Award Runner-up Grand Prize. A member of "Dezain inc.”

Read more

髙田 唯
YUI TAKADA

Graphic designer. Born in 1980 in Tokyo. Graduated from Kuwasawa Design School. Director of Allright Inc., which consists of the graphic design division Allright Graphics and the letterpress printing division Allright Printing. In addition to his design and letterpress work, he has held many exhibitions of his personal artwork. In recent years, an increasing number of projects and exhibitions take place overseas.He received the JAGDA New Designer Award in 2011, the Tokyo ADC Award in 2019, and the TDC Award in 2020.

Read more