Bilingual agency Bianco Bianco balances timeless elegance, accessibility and precision

Lena Manger, a graphic designer, art director and writer who is based between Berlin and Tokyo, centers her work on emotion that “creates sparks”. Along with her long-term collaborator Patryk Kulig, the duo have worked for the past two years to create Bianco Bianco, a Tokyo creative agency which also publishes sabukaru, a media collective-cum-magazine.

The duo behind the bilingual agency have carved an identity and magazine inspired by the forces “behind design” – art, literature, film and music. In sabukaru, Lena platforms those influences, as well as niche subcultures and creativity across borders. The first issue highlights Tokyo’s rich culture, particularly focusing on the legendary filmmaker Takeshi Kitano as the cover star, as well as featuring collaborators such as Thaiboy Digital, graphic designers Tim Lindacher and Mike Sunday, and producer/artist Palmistry. The magazine covers Tokyo’s underbelly as the main character: artsy films, tattoos, boundary pushing DJs, latex and alternative fashion all printed with silver spot colour. It also features three variant covers, as well as a special edition created in collaboration with the fashion brand Stone Island.

Bianco Bianco’s own visual identity “acts as a blank canvas” – promoting a bilingual identity system that reflects clarity and “timeless elegance” whilst allowing the agency’s work to be completely accessible. The agency’s recent visual overhaul not only features a new website and stationary, but also includes aluminium business card holders produced by Seoul-based design studio Niceworkshop. “Given that business cards hold a special significance in Japanese work culture, we approached this element of the identity with particular care, ensuring it feels both meaningful and memorable,” says Lena.

It’s redesign is simple, contemporary and precise, using elegant wordmarks and graphics to squash language barriers. “Design played a central role, with typography, layout, and material choices reflecting the platform’s eclectic, playful, and cross-cultural approach,” shares Lena. “While keeping the broader system in mind, we wanted each story to feel special and unique, making it fun for the reader to keep exploring.” In the agency’s one-two punch of debut magazine and new visual identity, the enduring style and attitude of Tokyo is on full display – and proves that Bianco Bianco is one to keep an eye on.