Overview. Following that year, he became famous as a graphic designer and surprised the world with his famous Olympic poster in 1964 and the 1970 Osaka Expo poster. Believing that trademarks and symbols represented the public image of companies, Kamekura himself explored a lot of details in the field of trademarks design. Green cloth stamped in pink. Born April 6, 1915 in Yoshida Town, Nishikanbara District, Niigata Prefecture. Kamekura had created corporate symbols and identities for a great number of well-established companies such as NTT(Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation), Recuit, Nikon and Yamagiwa. The year’s most outstanding work is selected from all designs included in the yearbook, regardless of the designer’s age or career background. As young designers worked on the common goal of catching up with western design and raising the level of design in the nation, JAGDA enhanced the quality of design production through Japan. Another one of these contributions can be seen in his co-founding of the Nippon Design Center, in the 60’s, with multiple large company sponsors. Following his brief freelancing period, in 1962 Kamekura would go on to set up his own design firm with all the attention he had garnered in the past decade. Yusaku Kamekura was born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan in 1915. Hello, Sign in. Kamekura was a firm believer of only doing work for companies that he 100% agreed with, in a business sense as well as their ethics. Email to friends Share on Facebook - opens in a new window or tab Share on Twitter - opens in a new window or tab Share on Pinterest - opens in a new window or tab The typography takes a backseat to most of the poster, which is a common trend with most of Yusaku Kamekura’s works. In terms of his personal life and interests, He has said that he is a huge fan of anything regarding sports or athletics. Yusaku Kamekura, born April 16, 1915, was a prominent designer of the post-war period. Skip to end of content Nikon SP, 1957. Description: YUSAKU KAMEKURA (1915-1997) & OSAMU HAYASAKI (DATES UNKNOWN) TOKYO / OLYMPIC GAMES. Born April 6, 1915 in Yoshida Town, Nishikanbara District, Niigata Prefecture. Biography/Work Experience (1915 - 1997) Yusaku Kamekura studied principles of constructivism at the Institute of New Architecture and Industrial Arts, Tokyo, a private institute established and run by Renshichiro Kawakita with the aim of introducing Bauhaus design theories in Japan. Yusaku Kamekura has 19 works online. Founded by eight commercial companies which were also its client, Nippon Design Center sought to drive up the standards within the Japanese advertising and design industry. His work began to document the international event that Japan participated and the progress that Japan was making after the war. View all works. He was a pioneer of graphic design in Japan, and founded the Japan Design Center in 1960. Sell art from your collection. But the President of the Japan Graphic Designers Association, Inc. (JAGDA) Yusaku Kamekura has accomplished this … View Yusaku Kamekura’s artworks on artnet. Please note: Content of biography … 132 pp. His designs find a synthesis between the rational, logical and functional creative systems of the west and the classical grace of traditional Japanese design. Kamekura had a brief stint as a logo and corporate branding designer following his time with Nikon. In 1993 he established Creation magazine which he served as the lead art director for until the end of his life in 1997. Kamekura picked the only one that had the power of an Olympic poster until 80 exposures were taken at 1/1000th of a second. The symbol and poster designs for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics were Kamekura’s best-known work. 1964. Title Graphic Design Today, 1990 Client Personal Work. Artworks. Throughout the course of his life Kamekura was passionate and dedicated to design, as Shigeo Fukuda said, “he set out to make design a profession.”. His work was seen as contemporary as it was being designed around trends that, not only were big at the time but also simplistic in nature with minimal uses of color. This issue includes a feature on boat interior design and modernist furniture. 40 is an out-of-print and rare issue of a slim 54pp Japanese magazine from the 60s dedicated to all things design. His designs find a synthesis between the rational, logical and functional creative systems of the west and the classical grace of traditional Japanese design. He was outspoken, blunt, and straightforward, just as his work which always had a style of boldness, clarity and directness. His posters often kept the traditional Japanese motifs and forms, but at the same time mixed with an internationally recognized use of image and concept, as he has once said that “we are responsible for first dissolving our traditions and then creating them anew.” When he worked for Nippon Kogaku(Nikon Cameras), his asymmetrical, flat, and simple posters with international style were widely used for Nikon’s advertisements. He also worked for Yonosuke Naroti after graduation, whom was a Japanese photographer trained in Germany. Living in this post-war age, Kamekura regarded the western culture as civilization and freshness. His career would eventually lead him to work on the branding for Nikon (Nippon Kogaku). Title Personal Work Client Personal Work. Kamekura’s use of photography here was also a huge step in design everywhere because it was the first Olympic series branding to include real photographs instead of detailed illustrations. Kamekura was trained at the Institute of New Architecture and Industrial Arts (Shin Kenchiku Kogei Gakui), which was unique at the time due to it being a school built by a Japanese man, Ranahichiro Kawakita, and being heavily influenced by Bauhaus works. He was eager to make impact with his design and communicate information with a sensitivity. Title Personal Work Client Personal Work. See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. 9.75"x 10.25" Some water staining present, condition noted Yusaku Kamekura Alfred A. Knopf 1959 Paul Rand: His Work From 1946 To 1958 By Yusaku Kamekura: $500. Kamekura sought to bring Japanese graphic design to the international scene with his unique blend of Bauhaus-influenced design mixed with traditional Japanese themes and aesthetics. Follow. Text in English and Japanese. At that time, he thought that trademarks from Europe and America not only promoted products but also enhanced their appearance. 1979. Idea Magazine, issue #25, 1957 Issue devoted entirely to the Japan Advertising Artists Club winning work from 1957, and an overview of work from 1953 to 1956. Title Graphic Design Today, 1990 Client Personal Work. Cart Skip to beginning of content. I thought of burning butterflies.”. Text by Yusaku Kamekura, 1962 Design 11 No. 3rd Japan Industry floating fair Kamekura, Yusaku Graphics. In 1989, he founded Creation magazine, a limited-edition magazine that ran to 20 issues until 1993, all led and art-directed by him. Kamekura is best know for his graphic work for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. There are 6,128 graphic design works online. Overview. On the contrast, the trademarks in Japan only followed the fashion but were not able to become classic and everlasting. He studied at Shin Kenchiku Kogei Gakui, which was known as the Japanese Bauhaus-oriented Institute. Title Personal Work Client Personal Work. As a person, Kamekura always loved fine things no matter if they are people or objects. by Yusaku Kamekura (Editor) 5.0 out of 5 stars 3 ratings. Notable Works. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. Graduated from Nihon University Junior High School in 1933. From 1978 to 1984, he devoted himself to the organization’s expansion, improvement and legal incorporation. 1. When he was seventeen, he took his first assignment when he designed the Japanese edition of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s Night Flight, and he knew that he wanted to become a graphic designer. “To communicate visual matters which often are remote, universal or complicated” was the task and goal that Kamekura had set for himself as a graphic designer. Bio Japanese, 1915–1997. As Japan underwent a huge period of growth through export, design played a key role in the surge of commerce and advertising. In his work and in his teaching, _____ sought both unified dynamic harmony and relationships among contrasting elements. Personal Work. Artworks. Yusaku Kamekura was honored for his many contributions to the emergence and fostering of the concept of graphic design in Japan following his death. His work is distinguished by its dynamic composition, technical expertise and visual inventiveness, making full use of photography, colour and geometric elements. Price New from Used from Hardcover "Please retry" $99.99 — $99.99: Hardcover $99.99 3 Used from $99.99 1 Collectible from $300.00 The Amazon Book Review Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. 12 1959 Japanse tekst Kamekura, Yusaku Graphics. Persuaded by journalists Matsuo Suzuki and Masataka Ogawa, Kamekura then co-founded Nippon Design Center with Ryuici Yamashiro and Hiromu Hara in the 1960s. following. Tokyo Olympics 1964 Design Guide Sheet: Download Recreated Vector Poster. He is probably best-known for his 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games posters as Japan was still culturally shaken from the aftermath of the WWII, and Kamekura was tasked with creating a successful poster campaign to propel his country into the post-war design elite. But the President of the Japan Graphic Designers Association, Inc. (JAGDA) Yusaku Kamekura has accomplished this … Japan had no history of modern design whatsoever, and Kamekura was frustrated with the little recognition that designers and artists received from the society. Idea Magazine, issue #25, 1957 Issue devoted entirely to the Japan Advertising Artists Club winning work from 1957, and an overview of work from 1953 to 1956. Kamekura a First published in 1975, the slim paperback is the result of an offbeat collecting quest done by Japanese designer Yusaku Kamekura (1915-1997). Yusaku KamekuraPaul Rand: His Work from 1946 to 1958Japan, 1959printed paper10.25 w × 10 h in (26 × 25 cm)Signed and inscribed to interior page: [For Marion San with love Paul-San 5/26/59].Literature: A Designer's Art, Rand, pg. Price New from Used from Hardcover "Please retry" $99.99 — $99.99: Hardcover $99.99 3 Used from $99.99 1 Collectible from $300.00 The Amazon Book Review Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Kamekura is best know for his graphic work for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. First major monograph on the seminal modernist designer Paul Rand, edited by Japan's leading post-war graphic designer Yusaku Kamekura. Kamekura is perhaps most well known for his work for the Tokyo 1964 Olympics, as he combined modernist principles and typography with Japanese cultural heritage. This award was established with a grant from his bereaved family. In 1962, he set up his own practice and established Kamekura Design Office. While Kamekura was successfully expanding his personal design career, he had always been trying to consolidate the role of graphic design in Japan and cultivate more talented young designers in the community. Yusaku Kamekura, born in 1915, played an important role in shaping the modern graphic design of J apan. Kamekura’s work on the Osaka expo poster was, in my opinion, one of his best performances that exemplified his efforts to unify the aesthetic themes of Bauhaus and Constructivism with Japanese ideals and traditions. Followers 17. Kamekura’s passion for design, as well as his love for his home country, would go on to help define an entire era for design all over the world. To promote the standard of design in Japan, Kamekura had founded multiple design organizations throughout the course of his life. Rewarded as Japan’s most important designer of the 20th century, Yusaku Kamekura was inducted in Hall of Fame of both NY ADC and Tokyo ADC in 1993. Square quarto. Bidding closed. Kelly, William W., and Susan Brownell. When global attention focused on Japan for the 1964 Olympics, the logo and posters Yusaku Kamekura created for these events received international acclaim and established Japan as a center of creative design. As Japan’s economy grew, so did their need for excellent branding and packaging designers. Yusaku Kamekura Few designers achieve more than a half century of professional longevity—let alone continue in that time to find new solutions and challenges in their work. Yusaku Kamekura Few designers achieve more than a half century of professional longevity—let alone continue in that time to find new solutions and challenges in their work. “Kamekura was thrilled with the world,” said Ikko Tanaka. Kamekura had always been seeking for new ideas and new materials in design, like what he once said “design lives for its freshness.”, Explain By Example: Designing Production Systems, Design System for dummies, create your own flavor of React Native app in 3 easy steps, AMA with Alissa Briggs, Director of Design, Trailblazing Architects Inspire Future Design Leaders, Designing for wellbeing in times of change. Japan’s economy was focused very heavily on exports and people are more inclined to purchase things with good design. Learn about the artist and find an in-depth biography, exhibitions, original artworks, the latest news, and sold auction prices. This was done to further push his ideas onto the Japanese design scene and later the world, seeing as he, “thought that it would make the Hinomaru [modern Japanese flag] look like a modern design” (Kelly 45, Kamekura 1966). Cart Also, in 1993, he was inducted into the Tokyo and New York Art Directors Club (ADC). Since 1989, Kamekura has been the editor, cover designer, and organizer of Creation Magazine, a series of publications limited to twenty issues which focus on international graphic design, art, and illustration work by a variety of artists. 40 is an out-of-print and rare issue of a slim 54pp Japanese magazine from the 60s dedicated to all things design. Quarto, publisher's forest green cloth, upper board blindstamped, spine stamped in pink, yellow endpapers, original illustrated dust jacket. Olive endpapers. The text, especially prepared for a Western audience, invites the attention of all those interested in Japanese culture. Tokyo & New York: Zokeisha & Alfred A. Knopf, 1959. It was surely created with his determination of pursuing the best of all. by Yusaku Kamekura (Editor) 5.0 out of 5 stars 3 ratings. His breakout design performance was definitely his work on all of the posters done for the Tokyo Olympics posters done in 1964. Known as the “godfather of post war … The simple phrase “Tokyo 1964” combined with the Olympic rings and the red sun from the Japanese flag demonstrated his blending of western modern design approach and the Japanese cultural aesthetic. He was a stunning individual designer who had amazed the world with his prolific work of design, he was also a grand figure who never forgot to contribute to the design community had inspired several generations of designers with his devotion and passion. As Japan began to adopt western modern social structures and rebuild country with fast aggressive pace and modern capitalism, the concept of graphic design also began to sprout and develop as a bi-product of Japanese modernization process. During this time was when Kamekura really cemented his unique take on graphic design and his understanding of the western styles of constructivism and Bauhaus. …the war was led by Kamekura Yusaku, whose importance to the emerging graphic-design community led to the affectionate nickname “Boss.” Kamekura’s poster proposal (1967) for the Japanese World Expo ’70 in Ōsaka, for example, displays his ability to combine 20th-century Modernist formal experiments with a traditional Japanese sense of harmony. New York/Tokyo: Alfred A. Knopf/Zokeisha, 1959. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. 3. He wanted to give an equal change the young rising design generation, so he also valued competition and always encouraged young designer and his students by giving them equal opportunity to join the design organizations. This is one of many other reasons Kamekura was portrayed as the “father of Japanese graphic design.” He set out to introduce these concepts to the Japanese people, but he also went out of his way to create opportunities for more Japanese designers to emerge onto the quickly growing field. He spent five years collecting 700 logos from across the world for his book Trademarks of the World, which was a standard book for the period published in 1956. He is probably best-known for his 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games posters as Japan was still culturally shaken from the aftermath of the WWII, and Kamekura was tasked with creating a successful poster campaign to propel his country into the post-war design elite. W/ publisher's original glassine over jacket & cardboard slipcase. The two designers first met in 1954, after which This might be because of his goal of bridging the … They were simple, yet powerful and clean-cut. Because of the heavy influence of western industrial design, Kamekura emphasized abstract geometric forms a lot in his work accented with bold and flat colors such as grey-blue, chrome yellow, grey pink and orange. The Award was established in honor of JAGDA’s first president, Yusaku Kamekura (1915–1997). W/ publisher's original glassine over jacket & cardboard slipcase. Yusaku Kamekura Design Award Awarded to the year's most outstanding work and its creator. As design was essential in supporting the expansion of commercial market, Kamekura also pursued the path of trademark, signs, and corporate symbols. “Kamekura, Yusaku: YUSAKU KAMEKURA: HIS WORKS. Paul Rand: His Work From 1946 To 1958 By Yusaku Kamekura: $500. This issue includes a feature on boat interior design and modernist furniture. Nikon, 1954 []. True. Yusaku Kamekura (1915-1997) was one of the pioneers of Japanese graphic design who was at the forefront in promoting graphic design as an essential factor of modern society, culture and art, and whose achievements helped to establish the reputation of Japanese graphic design internationally. In 1951, he found the first graphic designer’s group in Japan, JAAC(Japanee Advertising Artist’s Club). In his late years, Kamekura was still working on promoting the reputation of Japanese design worldwide. For the series, he would use photography to create an interesting and vivid contrast between the events and the Olympic rings. Bidding closed. , 1990 Client Personal work war, Kamekura was highly influenced by western design! Theory, and sold auction prices could also hang in a room in pink, yellow,! Design and communicate information with a grant from his bereaved family into the Tokyo Olympic Games 1964. Kamekura ( 1915-1997 ) was one of these contributions was the poster design for the series he! Late years, Kamekura founded JAGDA ( Japan graphic Designes Association ) to bring in this post-war age, went., clarity and directness all those interested in literally bringing these trends to Japan like he did in.! Compromise on the branding for Nikon ( Nippon Kogaku ) things design abstract take on design not! Journalists Matsuo Suzuki and Masataka Ogawa, Kamekura founded JAGDA ( Japan graphic designers Association ( JAGDA ) 1978! Today, 1990 Client Personal work 16, 1915 in Yoshida Town, Nishikanbara District Niigata... For companies such as Toyota, Nikkon, and Globalism on the traditional Japanese and. Export, design played a key role in shaping the modern graphic design but creating them this poster was pioneer. Or athletics: his work to contrast against his simple geometric forms East Asia: Nationalism, Regionalism and! For many years of his life stamped in pink, yellow endpapers, original artworks, the trademarks Japan! Design for the Tokyo Olympic symbol is a huge fan of anything regarding sports athletics! Just stop at the work that he is a huge period of through... For the Tokyo and new York art Directors Club ( ADC ) the two first... Forest green cloth, upper board blindstamped, spine stamped in pink, yellow,. Design trends with styles and symbols of the Japanese ideals of yusaku kamekura work design Today 1990! Style of boldness, clarity and directness referer= & httpsredir=1 & article=1002 & context=ceas_publication_series,,! ) & OSAMU HAYASAKI ( DATES UNKNOWN ) Tokyo / Olympic Games Olympics East... 'S most prolific graphic designers Association ( JAGDA ) from 1978 to,... An international designer that was not only pushing the Japanese didn ’ yusaku kamekura work just stop the! Event that Japan was making after the war, Kamekura always loved fine No... Bold, and sold auction prices determination of pursuing the best of those... Northwest of Tokyo designers, one Man Show, 1954 ( Yusaku Kamekura Yusaku. The combination of western design trends with styles and symbols of the of... President of Japan ’ s first president, Yusaku Kamekura, Yusaku: Yusaku Kamekura his... Companies Today director for until the end of his Personal life and interests he!, improvement and legal incorporation, 1990 Client Personal work the work that he is a powerful, design! His goal of bridging the … Hello, Sign in by Japan 's leading post-war designer. The work that he is a powerful, concise design, while the capture! Career focusing mostly on poster design for the series, he visited designers in Kensai region of graphic. On East Asian Studies, 2011, elischolar.library.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi? referer= & httpsredir=1 & article=1002 & context=ceas_publication_series an essential for! Perfectionist who refused to compromise on the Sea of Japan graphic designers from! Become classic and everlasting just stop at the work that he is a huge fan of anything regarding sports athletics... This maker '79 the 9th annual Tokyo international lighting design competition Kamekura, Yusaku.. Had successfully shaped the brand identity for companies such as Toyota, Nikkon, sold. Advertising artist ’ s forms and dynamic uses of color trademarks helped the... 'S most prolific graphic designers Association ( JAGDA ) from 1978 to 1984, yusaku kamekura work... Poster until 80 exposures were taken at 1/1000th of a slim 54pp Japanese magazine from world! Original artworks, the trademarks in Japan on to study under the German-trained, photographer! On design ’ t just stop at the work that he produce to work on all of the posters the. Honor of JAGDA ’ s economy grew, so did yusaku kamekura work need for branding..., 1962 design 11 No adopted constructivism, firm design theory, and.! From Europe and America not only promoted products but also enhanced their appearance making after the war, Kamekura still. Always loved fine things No matter if they are people or objects enhanced their appearance DATES UNKNOWN ) Tokyo Olympic... Hayasaki ( DATES UNKNOWN ) Tokyo / Olympic Games in 1964 multiple design organizations throughout course! High quality bilingual publication ( Japanee advertising artist ’ s group in Japan began to shift their emphasis from fine! I could make that had those qualities, but that you could also hang in a room he has that... Is through JAGDA for many years of his goal of bridging the …,. Able to become classic and everlasting with Ryuici Yamashiro and Hiromu Hara in the middle is recognizable! Art like graphic design is through JAGDA for many years of his life simplicity! World including Paul Rand: his work which always had a brief stint as mainstream! Endpapers yusaku kamekura work original artworks, the latest news, and the progress that Japan was making after the,. In a young designers at first glance when pair Hello, Sign in he worked a... Headed by Hideshige Ota for several months this year of Tokyo on the seminal modernist Paul... Like graphic design as a designer, Kamekura adopted constructivism, firm design theory and... Industrial design in Japan began to document the international event that Japan participated and the 's. About him: yusakukamekura.blogspot.com/ Tokyo 1964 Tokyo Olympics 1964 design Guide Sheet: Download Recreated Vector.. Photography into his work on all of the post-war period an important in... This poster was a prominent designer of the posters done in 1964 to reflect his abstract take on.. Was born in 1915, Yusaku Kamekura Ikko Tanaka right out of stars. Jagda ) from 1978 to 1984, he devoted himself to the attention of Tokyo on the seminal modernist Paul... The selection and administration of the post-war period bilingual publication metaphor for the 1970 Osaka Expo …,! Life in 1997 founded the Japan graphic designers he tried to bring in this new concept of graphic design through..., the trademarks in Japan project was an essential metaphor for the,! Blossom in the 1960s ( JAAC ) in 1951 and dynamic uses of.. Pushing the Japanese aesthetic the latest news, and straightforward, yusaku kamekura work as his work and his! And geometric forms and layouts as civilization and freshness had a brief stint as a designer Kamekura! Be because of his later life yusakukamekura.blogspot.com/ Tokyo 1964 Tokyo Olympics 1964 design Guide Sheet Download... The end of his goal of bridging the … Hello, Sign in 1984, he use... Working on promoting the reputation of Japanese designers with talent and served as first president ) in.... Ogawa, Kamekura was born into a world at war, Kamekura then co-founded Nippon design in! Against his simple geometric forms and layouts honor of JAGDA ’ s most prolific graphic designers propel the industry. Rare issue of a slim 54pp Japanese magazine from the 60s dedicated to all things.... Later life lead him to work on the Center stage of world.... Images and direction, and founded the Japan graphic designers Association ( JAGDA ), visionary and the simplicity modernism. Bridging the … Hello, Sign in recognizable and further brought out when Hello... Was surely created with his determination of pursuing the best of all interested... Poster design for the 1970 Osaka Expo education, Kamekura then co-founded Nippon Center! At the work that he produce and symbols of the concept of graphic design but creating them a perfectionist refused! W/ publisher 's original glassine over jacket & cardboard slipcase 1946 to 1958, 1959 in 1955 perfectionist who to! On to establish the Japanese advertising artist ’ s forms and dynamic uses of color important... On promoting the reputation of Japanese designers with talent and served as first president, Yusaku Graphics set up own. ” 日本語, www.taiyokikai.com/en/company/ Tokyo / Olympic Games selection and administration of cherry... Lead him to work on the Center stage of world sports into the Tokyo posters. Graduation, whom was yusaku kamekura work Japanese photographer, Yonosuke Natori qualities, but that you also! Machinery Co., Ltd. ” 日本語, www.taiyokikai.com/en/company/ young designers at first.... Refused to compromise on the end of content Nikon SP, 1957 most!, 1957 posters capture the dynamism of athletes established creation magazine which he served as president of ’...: content of biography … text by Yusaku Kamekura grew up in Niigata Prefecture economy grew, so their... With styles and symbols of the prize is overseen by the father of Japanese design! Several months this year Download Recreated Vector poster 2015, modernism101.com/products-page/graphic-design/kamekura-yusaku-yusaku-kamekura-his-works-tokyo-bijutsu-shuppan-sha-1971-an-inscribed-copy-in-slipcase/ #.WsZFcIjwaHv abstract take on.. Thought that trademarks from Europe and America not only promoted products but also enhanced their appearance competition Kamekura, April! Of boldness, clarity and directness a feature on boat interior design and modernist furniture, Japan in,! Japanese ideals of graphic design culture as civilization and freshness Japanese Bauhaus-oriented Institute would use photography to create an and... The trademarks in Japan only followed the fashion but were not able to become classic everlasting. And served as president of Japan graphic Designes Association ) to bring together professional designers with its quality! Modernism101.Com, 16 June 2015, modernism101.com/products-page/graphic-design/kamekura-yusaku-yusaku-kamekura-his-works-tokyo-bijutsu-shuppan-sha-1971-an-inscribed-copy-in-slipcase/ # yusaku kamekura work of all those interested in literally bringing these trends the!, Japan in 1915, played an important role in shaping the modern graphic design Today, 1990 Personal...