WA: The Essence of Japanese Design: 0000

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Shinto contained the mythological story of the creation of the Japanese islands and the people of Japan, and held that all life forms and natural phenomena had their own unique spirits, their own proper place and role in nature, and deserved a certain amount of respect and reverence. This animistic view of all things in nature resulted in the Japanese paying special attention to both the design of the things they made and the process of making them. A kimono with a Kanoko pattern on is considered a luxury item due to the intensive labor required to create it. The pattern is created by hand through a tie-dyeing technique. Karakusa (Winding Plant)

It is focused on how to best shape the brand around people and identifying how people can make a contribution in shaping the brand. It is borne out of building Shinto temples. Embrace economy of materials and means. Traditional Japanese construction and interiors used only natural, available materials, and in art and design too recycling was common. Waste and excess is at odds with wa. Think, for example, of tatami mats that comprise the floor of a Japanese room (washitsu) which were historically made from leftover straw from the harvest. There is a trend now emerging in Japan that embraces the use of more natural and recycled materials under the banner of "eco" or sustainability. How can we bring the principle of economy to our design work? One way is by practicing restraint. Yokusei 抑制 (control, restraint) and setsudo 節度 (moderation) or seigen 制限 (limit) are forms of self-restraint we can practice. It's hard not to give in to the habit of adding more when less would do; this is where restraint comes in. Meaning "the pathos of things," mono no aware is not a nihilistic view of the world - instead, it is the acute awareness of being in the moment and enjoying what is around you.

Inspiring Japanese Graphic Design

Wabi is the aesthetic of being simple and quiet, but with an emphasis on rustic beauty, or aged beauty. In terms of design it contains organic elements, but can have a human touch, either curated or modified by hand. Today, Japanese graphic design can be seen integrated into logos, advertisements, digital artworks, and even Japanese fonts. Their unique styles and motifs make them valuable to brands and graphic designers alike. Here are some Japanese graphic designs and inspiration you can use for your brand. Characteristics of Japanese Design There are two names for this pattern, the first is Higaki which means fence. The second name for this pattern is Ajiro which means instead of a net, it is a type of fence used in fishing in place of a fishing net. Japanese Design Thinking is based on an obsession with improving things. It is about interrogating every step and making positive changes on a regular basis. It is dedicated to ‘continuous improvement’ within the business as well as the lives of people. The pattern is referred to as a diagonal fence as the fishing technique it is named after involves creating a V-shape or funnel to capture fish. Hishi (Diamond)

Custom typography is an essential feature not only because Japanese calligraphy is highly respected, but could you imagine trying to create a Japanese typeface with thousands of characters in regular, bold, and italic?! This pattern is often used on kimono material and is thought to bring good fortune. Mameshibori (Pea Tie-dye) Where ukiyo-e skilfully documented and decorated the 'new world' filled with cash flow and high brow entertainment, yamato-e harkened to the 'old world' with its honor and painstaking craftsmanship. With the banning of foreign trade and the creation of " pleasure quarters," Japan's arts and culture (and other pleasures) could be enjoyed by its own people. Moreover, adolescents and especially teenage girls were a vast untapped market and companies started targeting these demographics - as we can see from the most famous kawaii character of all, Hello Kitty, created by stationery brand Sanrio.Mameshibori was once the most popular pattern that was used on hand towels. Matsukawabishi (Pine Bark) Gently rising steam is represented in this pattern by two curving lines, sometimes referred to as waves. The rising steam represents the capacity to rise above events that occur in life. In Japanese culture, shapes often represent abstract ideas. For example, circles, squares, and rectangles are often used in traditional and modern art. A good example is the work of renowned Japanese graphic designer Ikko Tanaka: Minimalist Design