Tag Archives: Japanese

Space Teriyaki – A Collection of Japanese Illustration from 50 Watts

September 18th, 2013 | Robot, Space

Space Teriyaki 1

Noriyoshi Orai, late 70s

Space Teriyaki 2

“Blood maintaining life by conveying various substances,” illustration by Kazuho Itoh for “Newton,” 80s

Space Teriyaki 3

“Falling motion,” illustration by Kazuho Itoh for “Newton,” mid-80s

Space Teriyaki 4

Shusei Nagaoka, from Androla in Labyrinth, 1984

Space Teriyaki 5

Masao Minami, early 70s

Space Teriyaki 6

Shusei Nagaoka, from Androla in Labyrinth, 1984

Space Teriyaki 7

Natsuo Noma, late 80s

Space Teriyaki 9

Takashi Yamazaki cyber cycle 1985

Space Teriyaki 8

Atsushi Yoshioka

50 Watts is one of the best vintage design & illustration blogs on the web. Space Teriyaki, a collection of books and catalogs on Japanese illustration and design from the 70’s and 80’s, embodies the brand of intriguing and rare content that Will Schofield has gathered.

I’ve always enjoyed Japanese illustration and have featured the likes of Kazumasa Nagai and Yusaku Kamekura before. The pieces from this era tend to share a boldness in both color and form.

If you’ve enjoyed these, you can find more at 50 Watts.

-RSB

Posters by Kazumasa Nagai

October 25th, 2012 | Brain

The Mind – 1965

These wonderful posters are from Japanese artist, Kazumasa Nagai.  The designs appeared in LIFE Magazine’s Science Library during the 1960s.  Nagai’s work is reminiscent of another artist we’ve featured here on RSB, Yusaku Kamekura, and not only because  Nagai is a Japanese graphic designer, but also because they both employ a strong use of negative space and bold colors in their designs.

 

Kazumasa Nagai

The Growth – 1966

Kazumasa Nagai

The Cell – 1966

And here’s a few more of my favorites that aren’t from LIFE.  This Asahi poster is fantastic.  I want it for my wall.  Someone should make a replica with Lone Star beer to celebrate my home state.

Asahi Steinie – 1965

Kazumasa Nagai

Expo 75′ International Ocean Exposition – 1975

Kazumasa Nagai

Kōrakuen Jumbo Pool – 1973

That’s all for now. Take a scroll through all of Kazumasa Nagai’s work here.  There are some real gems.

-RSB

[via io9]

Yusaku Kamekura – Japanese Graphic Art

November 22nd, 2011 | Space


Yusaku Kamekura (1915-1997) was one of Japan’s most prolific graphic designers.  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.

He has created countless magazine and book covers, signs, and prints.  For his exhibition ‘The Universe of Curved and Straight Lines: Designs by Yusaku Kamekura’ he received the 25th Mainichi Arts Award in 1983. And I’m not sure how he picked up this one, but his nickname was “The Boss”…

I really enjoy his colorful brand of minimalism.  His works gain a lot of depth with empty space and carefully placed lines.

You can find more of his work here – a blog dedicated to the history of graphic design in Japan.

This book published in 1973 covers two decades of his best work in the fields of posters, magazine & book covers, neon signs, and other graphics.

Images from the book can be found here.

-RSB