Japanese Graphic Design
Thornton, Richard S.Laurence King Publishing · 1991
![Cover of Japanese Graphic Design](/src/image/o/publications/japanese-graphic-design/cover-w1024.jpg)
This book, Japanese Graphic Design, examines the evolution of graphic design in Japan over the last century to the 1980s.
Details
- Title
- Japanese Graphic Design
- Publication Date
- 1991
- Language
- English
- Media
- Page Count
- 240
- ISBN 13
- 9781856690027
- Author
- Thornton, Richard S.
- Publisher
- Laurence King Publishing
Blurb
From product advertisement posters known as bijin-ga after the "beautiful women" featured in them to evocative, painterly self-promotional work by aspiring graphic designers, the graphic line has always been of paramount importance in Japanese art. Since the Meiji Restoration at the end of the nineteenth century, Japan has seen phenomenally rapid development in its production of graphic artwork – for products, exhibitions, theatrical performances and public amenities.
This book, the product of many years of research, traces the history and development of the graphic image in Japan from its roots in ukiyo-e woodblocks and early e-kanban posters, through modernization and the considerable influence of art schools in Europe and the USA, to the current highly sophisticated design and printing techniques which reign supreme in Japan today.
The author analyses in detail all the major events and personalities which have contributed to this extraordinary flowering of design in Japan over the last hundred years, drawing on first-hand interviews with many of the most important figures practising today. Japanese Graphic Design reproduces in lavish illustration the best work of the century, including many contemporary designers who have up until now remained relatively unknown and unpublished in the West. It will be an invaluable reference for all who are interested in the graphic image, and will make a major contribution to our understanding of Japanese art and culture.
Table of Contents
- Foreword8
- Introduction12
- Origins of design16
- Calligraphy17
- Monsho: Japanese family crests19
- Reduction and refinenement, 1600-185021
- The Meiji restoration, 1850-189028
- Transitional design28
- Japan's hybrid design 1900-195034
- The romantic Taisho era, 1912-192636
- Shiseido sets the style48
- Modern design comes to Japan, 1926-194053
- Bauhaus influence56
- The war years62
- The rush towards international recognition 1950-196064
- Masaru Katzumie66
- Nissembi: Japan Advertising Artist Club69
- Tokyo Art Directors Club70
- Japan Design Committee71
- International Recognition72
- Graphic '55: The first generation75
- Nippon Design Center86
- The world comes to Japan 1960-197092
- The World Design Conference, 196093
- Shiseido, part two97
- Tokyo Olympics98
- Persona 1965, the second generation100
- Expo '70, Japan's first world exposition119
- Back to the origins 1971-1979130
- Nakazuri: transport posters132
- Manga: Japanese comic books134
- Illustration138
- Independent art directors144
- The in-between generation146
- Package design156
- Advertising photography159
- Japan Graphic Designers Association162
- Design events in the seventies163
- The eighties178
- Contemporary graphic design182
- The new generation186
- Graphic design education202
- Conclusion228
- Bibliography236
- Glossary238
- Index239