Launch Recite Me assistive technology
A stack of coloured booklets, with the top one in pale pink. It features a black line illustration of a candelabra where one candle is replaced by a hand gesturing with a middle finger.

Here's some super clean, crisp, colourful Japanese graphic design

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Date
17 December 2012

Groovisions is a design studio based in Tokyo, a city where adverts flash and fling their way across a multitude of billboards, buildings and shop windows which can, at times, feel like an assault on the senses. How refreshing it must be then for revellers of the wondrous tech-city of the future to come across some graphic design that doesn’t scream a message in flashing neon lights, but rather, gently entices attention with a clear visual idea that communicates its message at a glance, drawn in bold lines and set on a soft pastel colour palette. This series works on a number of levels, standing out in a crowd by its willingness to be quiet, waiting for viewers that will inevitably come for some peace and tranquility.

A black and white illustration on a pale lilac background. A wine glass is depicted with human legs, containing a bottle, a piece of meat and a speech bubble. Japanese text appears at the top and bottom of the image, with the words “idea ink” and the number “05” in the top right.
Above

“Sawako Kimijima / Eating Out 2.0” 2012

A book cover with a light blue background featuring a black line illustration of lungs. The trachea leads up to a square containing a stylised bird, resembling the Twitter logo. Japanese text appears at the top and bottom, with “idea ink 01” in the top right corner.
A graphic illustration on a pale green background featuring a line drawing of a globe. A hand appears to be weaving vertical lines across the sphere, with a ball of yarn and clouds surrounding the scene. Japanese text at the top reads “ソーシャルデザイン” and “グリーンズ編”, alongside a logo for “idea ink” and the number “02”. A final line of text at the bottom reads “社会の問題は、楽しく解決できる.”.
A line illustration on a pale yellow background shows a mouse peering over a gas mask inside a decorative frame. Text at the top reads “Chim↑Pom” and “idea ink 03”, with further Japanese text above and below the central image.
A line illustration of a candelabra on a pale pink background. The three candles are replaced by a film projector, a traditional candle, and a hand gesturing with a middle finger, each topped with a flame. Japanese text appears at the top and bottom of the image, with the words “idea ink” and the number “04” in the top right.

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About the Author

Ross Bryant

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