Art and design inspiration from around the world – CreativeRoots

Digital map of Tokyo for the Tokyo Skytree

On the 22nd of May the Tokyo Skytree opened its doors making it Japans highest structure. The innovative guys from Team Lab designed a digital map (mural) of Tokyo which was exhibited at the Skytree.

“Tokyo has no particular hero or heroines. Each one of us and our stories are creating the excitement of Tokyo. In Japanese art, there are works that includes vast amount of information without center, but with flat viewpoint that focusing on everything even stories of people. For example, Rakuchu Rakugai-zu( Scenes In and Around Kyoto) and Edo-zu Byobu(Edo Scenes Folding Screen)

We draw Tokyo as a flat, no-center city with full of information in details, by restructuring the means of drawing for Ukiyoe(Color print of everyday life in Edo Period) and other print works, that are famous in Edo period, with current technology.

In Tokyo, it becomes harder to distinguish things that physically exist from virtual things that are created and existing in Manga(comics) and animations.

If we take a look at the traditional Japanese art work called Hyakkiyakou(Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), it is predictable that may be Japan was originally the country with such environment(mix real things and virtual things) in earlier age.Thank to appearance of internet, people’s imagination explodes and it started to overflow into Tokyo, and finally started to change the reality.

Evolution of technology can also evolve the progress of human beings. Based on this conviction, this is an art work drawing a city changing from Edo to Tokyo, and to the future, with large amount of information that beyond the limits of human being.”

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Japanese Noh Whisky

The Japanese Karuizawa distillery has a rather interesting vintage whisky range, called Noh Whisky. The lable design was inspired by the Japanese Noh theater, which is classical Japanese musical drama, performed since the 14th century. It would be interesting to know why the distillery decided to brand this whiskies range with traditional Noh performers and masks.

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Japanese paper city

How cool are these Japanese paper cities?

New York-based artist Yumiko Matsui recreated parts of Tokyo and Osaka which he skillfully crafted out of paper. The miniature world, imitates traditional streets, shopping centers, food stands and signs, capturing the cities character.

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Japanese symbols

Teapot

Fan

Kimono

Origami crane

Sake

Noble woman

Taiko drum

Geta sandal

Torii

Koi

Lacquered bowl

Japan has a strong history and visual culture which is widely spread around the world. Icons such as the Koi fish, Kimono or the noble woman are instantly recognisable as being Japanese.

New York designer Christopher Dina designed these lovely Japanese symbols for the “Japan Day” at the Central park 2012. The icons above represent Japanese arts and crafts, fashion, pop culture, music and more.

I love the simplicity of these Japanese symbols, I also like the main image where all symbols are places into central park surrounded by trees and the city buildings.

If I would live in New York I would definitely check out the event and get stuck into all the activities. via designboom

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Umino Seaweed Design Nori

These japanese seaweed designs take the sushi experience to the next level.  I&S BBDO, Tokyo won the Best of Show Design Lotos at Adfest in Thailand for their Umino Seaweed designs. The designs merge traditional Japanese pattern design with the latest cutting technology. The five designs: Sakura (Cherry Blossoms), Mizutama (Water Drops), Asanoha (Hemp), Kikkou (Turtle Seashell), Kumikkou (Tortoise Shell) were developed to help the North East Japan company to rebuild itself after the 2011 tsunami. via theinspirationroom

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Japanese restaurant design – Micchan

The Japanese restaurant Micchan has a lovely illustrative identity. The complete restaurant identity is built up by several well executed illustrations depicting the japanese city Hiroshima. IC4Design created the illustrations and designs for Micchan including poster, packaging and restaurant design.

Other japanese restaurant identities which I admire and are worth taking a look at are:

• Torotoro – Sushi & Sake bar
• Japanese restaurant identity Seiji
• Tokyo Bar

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Hiroshima illustrations – Shinkin bank

Jan. & Feb.    New Year’s holiday  /  Miyajima shrine with the red gate

Mar. & Apr.   Cherry Blossom Viewing  /  Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium

May. & Jun.   Flying carp  /  Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome

Jul. & Aug.   Summer festival  /  Hiroshima Castle

Nov. & Dec.  Winter Holidays  /  Hiroshima Museum of Contemporary Art

IC4design created six illustrations of the Japanese city of Hiroshima for the Shinkin bank. The illustrations feature iconic places and buildings of Hiroshima such as the Miyajima shrine, Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium and Hiroshima Castle.

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Japanese people illustrations

Japanese people are known for their extraordinary clothing culture which captivates the rest of the world. Some of Japans most well known characters are the Geisha, Samurai warrior and the Ninja, each having their own traditional clothing style. Barcelona design studio Hey illustrated 12 Japanese people and their traditional clothing.

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Japanese food packaging by Akaoni

I love japanese packaging design, from traditional japanese packaging, sake barrel packaging to the famous Kikkoman soya sauce. Tokyo design agency Akaoni created some beautiful designs. I especially like the packaging designs with the simple prints on the brown paper. via iainclaridge

What do you think about the designs?

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Japanese Yebisu beer packaging design

Yebisu beer is on of Japan’s oldest beer brands, first brewed in Tokyo in 1890. Yebisu represents the Japanese god of Happiness, luck and fisherman.

Created by design student Jin Fujiwara at the Academy of Art. Jin wanted to redesign Yebisu because it wasn’t a popular japanese beer brand such as its competitors Asahi and Kirin.

The main characteristic of the beer label is the smiling Yebisu who hopefully will stick in people minds. The secondary design elements such as the fishing rod and fish have become less prominent, which I feel are important elements to tell the brand story of Yebisu brand.

What do you think about the Yebisu beer packaging?

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Tales of Consumption illustrations

Tales of Consumption by Zuza Misko from Warszawa is an ongoing series of artworks, loosely connected by the theme of the relationship between people and the food. II Series takes inspiration from the food loving Japanese nation.

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Hokusai Manga book – Japan

If you love Japanese Art Hokusai Manga book is a must to get. The book is a massive compilation of the Japanese master artist’s sketchbooks, which are now available in a single book. 3,900 drawings, woodblock prints, and paintings fill the 970-page book. Check out the rest of the book here. via

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One of Japan’s last remaining swordsmiths

Korehira Watanabe is one of 30 remaining Japanese swordsmiths. He has devoted 40 years of his life to attempt to recreate Koto. Koto is a type of sword that dates back to the Heian and Kamakura periods ((794-1333 AD). There are no documents that could help Watanabe’s quest, but he believes that he has come close enough of creating a replica of this mythical samurai sword. This film was created  by NY- based filmmaker Takeshi Fukunaga.

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Oni soap set

Los Angeles based graphic designer and art director Ching Yu Wong designed the Oni soap sets for Onsen The packaging design was inspired by traditional Japanese monsters and ghosts.

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Japanese Daruma Print

This Japanese daruma print was designed by simpletype.

“In response to the devastating natural events in Japan, I have designed a limited edition print to sell in an attempt to raise money to donate to the Red Cross. Here is more information about the image: Daruma’s are round, hollow Japanese wish dolls in the shape of an egg. They are a symbolic representation of Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk and founder of the art of Zen. According to legend, Bodhidharma lost his limbs while attaining this pure Zen state, therefore the doll is lacking limbs as well. The dolls are most commonly red but can also be found in yellow, black and white amongst other colors. Their painted faces feature a mustache and beard, skillfully brushed to resemble Bodhidharma. Using black ink or paint, one fills in a single circular eye while thinking of a wish, and should the wish become realized, the second eye can be happily filled in. Because of their low center of gravity, the Daruma doll returns to its upright position after being tilted on its side. As such, the doll has become a symbol for optimism, persistence and strong determination.”

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Sushi Ladies

What do you get when you combine a Japanese Kimono and Sushi? A Sushi girl.

I absolutely love this illustration because it merges two distinct Japanese icons together. If you search on Google for different kimono styles you will for certain see some kimonos that feature distinct backs (look like a pillow) in Japanese they are called tare (I think). Malaysian designer Chow Hon Lam aka flyingmouse365 replaces these tares with different nigiris creating a perfect image. FM365 is also the man behind the lovely National animal t-shirt design which is worth checking out.

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Torotoro – Sushi & Sake bar

Torotoro is a Japanese restaurant designed by Mexican design agency Savvy. Whilst analyzing the Japanese restaurant market in the area, Savvy realized that the vast majority of restaurants brand themselves  through oriental clichés, often mixing Asian cultures without realizing it.

The visual language for Torotoro plays on the theme “A night in Tokyo”, with its light dynamics, cuisine and culture. The neon Japanese characters are inspired by Tokyo’s business district Ginza which is full of neon signs. Applying this strong and authentic visual language to Torotoro will hopefully enable it to stand out from its competitors and make it a real Japanese experience. Another Japanese restaurant that played with neon lights in its restaurant was Tokyo Bar in New York, which is worth checking out.

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Namazu-e Earthquake catfish Japan

The 1855 Great Ansei earthquake which struck the city of Edo (now Tokyo) was one of the major disasters, claiming 7,000 lives. In less than  a few days a new colour woodblock print named namazu-e became famous throughout the city. The prints depicted the mythical giant catfish who, according to legends caused the earthquakes.  Legends also say that the god Kashima keeps the Namazu under control, using a large rock. The 1855 earthquake happened because Kashima left the city, leaving Ebisu (God of fishing and commerce) in charge. via pinktentacle

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