Yuji Horii (Japanese: 堀井 雄二, Hepburn: Horii Yūji; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese author, video game designer…
Yuji Horii (Japanese: 堀井 雄二, Hepburn: Horii Yūji; born January 6, 1954) is a Japanese author, video game designer, writer and director best known as the creator of the Dragon Quest franchise, supervising and writing the scenario for Chrono Trigger, and The Portopia Serial Murder Case, released in 1983 as one of the first visual novel adventure games. Horii is CEO of his own company, Armor Project, a company that has an exclusive production contract with Square Enix, a contract established with Enix before the company merged with Square, and is also one of the companies who co-own the Dragon Quest franchise alongside Square Enix. In 2025, Horii became the first video game creator to receive the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government for his contributions to the arts.
Famous Japanese People: Designer
Designer: 176 people
Akinori Nakanishi (仲西 昭徳) (born 1954 in Japan) is the chief designer for Mitsubishi Motors, based at the company's…
Akinori Nakanishi (仲西 昭徳) (born 1954 in Japan) is the chief designer for Mitsubishi Motors, based at the company's design and research centre in Okazaki, Aichi. He was appointed to this position in June 2004, having previously worked as the General Manager for Mitsubishi Design Europe in Trebur, Germany. He began working for Mitsubishi in 1977 as soon as he graduated, and was responsible for both the 1991 and 2003 Colts, the HSR concept cars and the Mitsubishi Triton, among others. He cites fashion designers Issey Miyake and Giorgio Armani and movies such as The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings as inspirations, and names the original Mini and the Jaguar E-type as his personal favourite automotive designs. For his company's future, he has envisaged a sporty, wide-track look, saying "We are not a giant company, so we should be unique. This [look] gives them a wider stance. The bean counters don't like that. It is too expensive."
Shunmyō Masuno (枡野 俊明, Masuno Shunmyō) (born 28 February 1953) is a Japanese monk and garden designer. He is chief…
Shunmyō Masuno (枡野 俊明, Masuno Shunmyō) (born 28 February 1953) is a Japanese monk and garden designer. He is chief priest of the Sōtō Zen temple Kenkō-ji (建功寺), professor at Tama Art University, and president of a design firm that has completed numerous projects in Japan and overseas. He has been called "Japan's leading garden designer".
Yukihiro Takahashi (Japanese: 高橋 幸宏, Hepburn: Takahashi Yukihiro; June 6, 1952 – January 11, 2023) was a Japanese…
Yukihiro Takahashi (Japanese: 高橋 幸宏, Hepburn: Takahashi Yukihiro; June 6, 1952 – January 11, 2023) was a Japanese musician, singer, record producer, fashion designer, and actor, who was best known internationally as the drummer, lead vocalist, & co-composer of Yellow Magic Orchestra, as the former drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band, and as the drummer and backing vocalist of the Sadistics. He was also a member of the groups: the Beatniks (with Keiichi Suzuki), Sketch Show (with Haruomi Hosono), & Metafive (with Towa Tei etc.).
Makoto Saitō (サイトウ マコト; born 21 December 1952) is a Japanese graphic designer, self-described "poster designer", and…
Makoto Saitō (サイトウ マコト; born 21 December 1952) is a Japanese graphic designer, self-described "poster designer", and artist. Saitō was born in Fukuoka, Japan. He attended Kokura technical high school and started his career after he graduated. His early work as a printmaker was successful, shown internationally, and is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Saitō worked from 1974 to 1980 at Nippon Design Center before starting his own firm, Makoto Saitō Design. During his time at Nippon Design, he focused mainly on commercial work, where he wanted the poster to reach as many people as possible. early work as a printmaker was successful, shown internationally, and is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Saitō worked from 1974 to 1980 at Nippon Design Center before starting his own firm, Makoto Saitō Design. His posters are typified by text-free imagery in dense inks printed on thick, high quality papers. His wide-ranging creative activities explore perpetual theme of “seeing.” That was reflected in an interview with Saitō featured in Spring 2000 issue of Eye magazine, where he was quoted thus: I don't trust words. You can say anything with words. I prefer a visual means of communication because it allows the message to be more direct.Saitō has been a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale since 1994.
Kijuro Yahagi (矢萩 喜從郎; born 1952) is a Japanese artist, designer, architect and photographer.
Taro Shigaki (志垣 太郎, Shigaki Tarō; born Minoru Kawamura (河村 稔, Kawamura Minori), September 22, 1951 – March 5, 2022)…
Taro Shigaki (志垣 太郎, Shigaki Tarō; born Minoru Kawamura (河村 稔, Kawamura Minori), September 22, 1951 – March 5, 2022) was a Japanese actor and voice actor. He was married to Noriko Shirasaka and they had one child, Takumi Kazune.
Shiro Nakamura (中村 史郎, Nakamura Shirō; born 17 October 1950) is a former Japanese car designer and company executive.…
Shiro Nakamura (中村 史郎, Nakamura Shirō; born 17 October 1950) is a former Japanese car designer and company executive. Nakamura served as Senior Vice President of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. From 2006, Nakamura had been Nissan's Chief Creative Officer. He was Chief Creative Officer of Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun. Nakamura retired in 2017. Known as a hands-on creative, he goes by the nickname "Fingers".
Masanori Konishi (小西 正紀, Konishi Masanori) (born October 9, 1950), better known as Yoshiyuki Konishi (小西 良幸, Konishi…
Masanori Konishi (小西 正紀, Konishi Masanori) (born October 9, 1950), better known as Yoshiyuki Konishi (小西 良幸, Konishi Yoshiyuki) is a Japanese fashion designer who is represented by the talent agency Someday. He is nicknamed Don Konishi (ドン 小西). He was divorced and is now single.
Kaoru Mende (born 1950 in Tokyo, Japan) is an architectural lighting designer from Japan. Mende has bachelor's and…
Kaoru Mende (born 1950 in Tokyo, Japan) is an architectural lighting designer from Japan. Mende has bachelor's and master's degrees from the Tokyo University of Art. He is a visiting professor of lighting design at Musashino Art University and also lectures at Tokyo University of the Arts, among other institutions. Kaoru Mende is the CEO of Lighting Planners Associates. He is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES, formerly IESNA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). Mende is also the acting chief of the "Lighting Detectives", a citizens' group that specializes in the study of the culture of lighting. Mende has been involved in such superb projects as Tokyo International Forum, JR Kyoto Station, Sendai Mediatheque, Roppongi Hills, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore City Center Lighting Master Plan, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Aman New Delhi, Gardens by the Bay and Façade lighting for Tokyo station.
Yoshifumi Kondō (近藤 喜文, Kondō Yoshifumi; March 31, 1950 – January 21, 1998) was a Japanese animator who worked for…
Yoshifumi Kondō (近藤 喜文, Kondō Yoshifumi; March 31, 1950 – January 21, 1998) was a Japanese animator who worked for Studio Ghibli in his last years. He was born in Gosen, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. He worked as an animation director on Anne of Green Gables, Sherlock Hound, Kiki's Delivery Service, Only Yesterday and Princess Mononoke. Kondō directed the animated film Whisper of the Heart, and was expected to become one of the top directors at Studio Ghibli, alongside Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and to become their eventual successor. Kondō died of aortic dissection – alternately aneurysm – in 1998.
Tomonori Kogawa (湖川友謙, Kogawa Tomonori; born January 3, 1950 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese animator and character…
Tomonori Kogawa (湖川友謙, Kogawa Tomonori; born January 3, 1950 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese animator and character designer, often noted for his work in the 1980s with noted anime studio Sunrise.
Tomoiku Ara (born 1950 in Tokyo) is a Japanese architect and interior designer. He graduated from the Nihon University…
Tomoiku Ara (born 1950 in Tokyo) is a Japanese architect and interior designer. He graduated from the Nihon University Department of Fine Arts.
Kazutaka Watanabe (Japanese: 渡邊 一貴, Hepburn: Watanabe Kazutaka; born September 21, 1949), better known as Kazutaka…
Kazutaka Watanabe (Japanese: 渡邊 一貴, Hepburn: Watanabe Kazutaka; born September 21, 1949), better known as Kazutaka Miyatake (宮武 一貴, Miyatake Kazutaka), is a Japanese visual artist and anime designer known for the mechanical design of the Macross TV series and a number of its continuations from Studio Nue, of which he is a founding member. He has also contributed to the mecha design of other series such as Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.
Keiko Erikawa is a Japanese businesswoman and video game designer. She co-founded Koei Tecmo Holdings Co., Ltd., a…
Keiko Erikawa is a Japanese businesswoman and video game designer. She co-founded Koei Tecmo Holdings Co., Ltd., a Japanese game development company, with her husband Yoichi Erikawa in 1978.
Kunio Okawara (大河原 邦男, Ōkawara Kunio; born December 26, 1947) is a mecha designer in the Japanese anime industry. He…
Kunio Okawara (大河原 邦男, Ōkawara Kunio; born December 26, 1947) is a mecha designer in the Japanese anime industry. He was born and currently lives in Inagi, Tokyo, where he works out of a studio in his home. He was one of the pioneering mecha designers in Japan and established the profession of 'mecha design' in the anime industry. His representative works include Gundam series from the Real Robot shows, the Brave series from the Super Robot shows and Time Bokan series from the comedy anime. In 2011, he received the Distinguished Service Award of the Japan Media Arts Festival for his achievements over the years.
Hiroshi Nagai (Japanese: 永井博, born December 22, 1947) is a Japanese graphic designer and illustrator, known for his…
Hiroshi Nagai (Japanese: 永井博, born December 22, 1947) is a Japanese graphic designer and illustrator, known for his cover designs of city pop albums in the 1980s, which established the recognizable visual aesthetic associated with the loosely defined music genre.
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (Japanese: 安彦 良和, Hepburn: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu; born December 9, 1947) is a Japanese animator, manga…
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (Japanese: 安彦 良和, Hepburn: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu; born December 9, 1947) is a Japanese animator, manga artist, and anime director. He is best known for being the character designer and animation director of the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime, which began in 1979. That same year, he began working as a manga artist, which had been his dream since childhood. His manga have been critically acclaimed and have won numerous awards.
Eiji Mitooka (水戸岡 鋭治, Mitooka Eiji; born 5 July 1947 in Okayama Prefecture) is a Japanese industrial designer…
Eiji Mitooka (水戸岡 鋭治, Mitooka Eiji; born 5 July 1947 in Okayama Prefecture) is a Japanese industrial designer, illustrator, and managing director of the industrial design company Don Design Associates (ドーンデザイン研究所). He also works as a design consultant for Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu).
Tsutomu "Tom" Matano (Japanese: 俣野 努, Matano Tsutomu; October 7, 1947 – September 20, 2025) was a Japanese advertising…
Tsutomu "Tom" Matano (Japanese: 俣野 努, Matano Tsutomu; October 7, 1947 – September 20, 2025) was a Japanese advertising agent, automotive designer and automotive journalist. Matano was born in Nagasaki, Japan, and continued to live in Japan until after his studies in university. He began an Analysis Engineering Major at Seikei University in Tokyo, Japan, in April 1965 and graduated in March 1969. Following his graduation, Matano moved to the United States in September 1970 via his uncle's container ship, landing himself in Seattle, then to Los Angeles, and finally New York City. Once in America, he continued his education with a semester of language school, ditching plans to transfer to Environmental Design, and graduated in 1974 for a job in Detroit with General Motors. Consequently, due to Matano's work visa and the rising oil crisis, GM moved him to Australia to work for Holden Design alongside Phillip Zmood, mostly working on the GM Holden Torana, departing in 1977 for Germany and BMW in Munich, Germany. In 1983, Matano joined Mazda as Chief Designer for Mazda North American Operations, then moved up to become the Vice President of Design and eventually the Executive Vice President of Western Operations for Mazda R&D North America, Inc., as well as the Executive Designer and Director of Mazda North American Operations. In his career with Mazda, his notable designs stand out in many vehicles, such as the Mazda RX-7, Mazda MX-5, the Miata "M-Coupe" concept car, and numerous other projects with his large group of design teams he created. Matano worked as a journalist for the Western Automotive Journalists. He also made an appearance in Gran Turismo 7. Matano died on September 20, 2025, at the age of 77.
Yuko Shimizu (清水 侑子, Shimizu Yūko; born 1 November 1946) is a Japanese designer who created Hello Kitty.
Noritsugu Oda (織田憲嗣, born 1946) is a Japanese author and illustrator from Kōchi Prefecture. He graduated from Osaka…
Noritsugu Oda (織田憲嗣, born 1946) is a Japanese author and illustrator from Kōchi Prefecture. He graduated from Osaka University of Arts as a professional illustrator. Until recently he lectured at the Tokai University in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō. He is thought to have the world's largest private collection of Finn Juhl chairs. He has published several books on chairs and design, among these Danish Chairs, Hans J. Wegner's 100 Chairs and Finn Juhl.
Tomohiro Nishikado (西角 友宏, Nishikado Tomohiro; born March 31, 1944) is a Japanese video game designer and engineer. He…
Tomohiro Nishikado (西角 友宏, Nishikado Tomohiro; born March 31, 1944) is a Japanese video game designer and engineer. He is the creator of Taito's arcade video game Space Invaders, released in 1978, often credited as the first shoot 'em up and for beginning the golden age of arcade video games. Prior to Space Invaders, he also designed other earlier Taito arcade games, including the shooting electro-mechanical games Sky Fighter (1971) and Sky Fighter II, the sports video game TV Basketball in 1974, the vertical scrolling racing video game Speed Race (also known as Wheels) in 1974, the multi-directional shooter Western Gun (also known as Gun Fight) in 1975, and the first-person combat flight simulator Interceptor (1975).
Kansai Yamamoto (山本 寛斎, Yamamoto Kansai; 8 February 1944 – 21 July 2020) was a Japanese fashion designer, most…
Kansai Yamamoto (山本 寛斎, Yamamoto Kansai; 8 February 1944 – 21 July 2020) was a Japanese fashion designer, most influential during the 1970s and 1980s.
Hideo Kodama (born 1944) is a Japanese automobile designer.
Yohji Yamamoto (山本 耀司, Yamamoto Yōji; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. He…
Yohji Yamamoto (山本 耀司, Yamamoto Yōji; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. He is considered a master tailor, alongside those such as Madeleine Vionnet, and is best known for his avant-garde tailoring featuring Japanese design aesthetics. Yamamoto has won notable awards for his contributions to fashion, including the Chevalier/Officier/Commandeur of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon, the Ordre national du Mérite, the Royal Designer for Industry and the Master of Design award by Fashion Group International.
Teruhiko Yumura (湯村 輝彦, Yumura Teruhiko; born November 1, 1942) is a Japanese illustrator, designer, cartoonist and…
Teruhiko Yumura (湯村 輝彦, Yumura Teruhiko; born November 1, 1942) is a Japanese illustrator, designer, cartoonist and music critic. He is one of the exemplars of the heta-uma illustration aesthetic. Born in Hakuzu, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (currently Nishi-Shinjuku), he signed works under the pen names "Terry Johnson" (Gonzo), "FLAMINGO TERRY", "FRAMINA TERRENO GONZO", "TERRINO FLAMINI 'GONZAREZ" and "KURUZURU Terumanta". Yumura is known by the nickname "King Terry". Yumura studied at Tama Art University and drew covers for the magazine Garo in the 1970s and 1980s. He collaborated with copywriter Shigesato Itoi in short comics such as Penguin Shuffle and Jonetsu Penguin no Gohan. He also collaborated with the American magazines Wet and Raw. Yumura's comics were influenced by Japanese and American pop culture; his artwork is characterized by crudely done drawings made in a conscious, deliberate manner. This style became known as heta-uma (bad but good).
Rei Kawakubo (川久保 玲, Kawakubo Rei) (born 11 October 1942) is a Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. She…
Rei Kawakubo (川久保 玲, Kawakubo Rei) (born 11 October 1942) is a Japanese fashion designer based in Tokyo and Paris. She is the founder of Comme des Garçons and Dover Street Market. In recognition of the notable design contributions of Kawakubo, an exhibition of her designs entitled Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons, Art of the In-Between opened on 5 May 2017 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, modeled by Rihanna.
Motosuke Takahashi (高橋 資祐, Takahashi Motosuke; January 11, 1941 – November 8, 2007) was a Japanese animation director…
Motosuke Takahashi (高橋 資祐, Takahashi Motosuke; January 11, 1941 – November 8, 2007) was a Japanese animation director, animator, storyboard artist, and character designer. He died of lung cancer on November 8, 2007.
Toyoharu Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田豊治, Hepburn: Yoshida Toyoharu; January 1, 1940 – July 1, 2023), better known as Ippei…
Toyoharu Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田豊治, Hepburn: Yoshida Toyoharu; January 1, 1940 – July 1, 2023), better known as Ippei Kuri (九里一平, Kuri Ippei), was a Japanese manga artist and the third president of animation production company Tatsunoko Production.
Kenzō Takada (高田 賢三, Takada Kenzō; [takada kenꜜzoː]; 27 February 1939 – 4 October 2020) was a Japanese–French fashion…
Kenzō Takada (高田 賢三, Takada Kenzō; [takada kenꜜzoː]; 27 February 1939 – 4 October 2020) was a Japanese–French fashion designer living in France. He founded Kenzo, a worldwide clothing brand that also markets skincare and perfumes. Takada was the honorary president of the Asian Couture Federation.
Yukio Ota (太田幸夫, Ōta Yukio; 1939 – 18 August 2026) was a Japanese graphic designer best known for his work on the ISO…
Yukio Ota (太田幸夫, Ōta Yukio; 1939 – 18 August 2026) was a Japanese graphic designer best known for his work on the ISO 7010 exit sign and the pictorial language LoCoS.
Shingo Araki (荒木 伸吾, Araki Shingo; November 28, 1938 – December 1, 2011) was a Japanese animation artist and character…
Shingo Araki (荒木 伸吾, Araki Shingo; November 28, 1938 – December 1, 2011) was a Japanese animation artist and character designer.
Motoko Ishii (石井 幹子, Ishii Motoko; born October 15, 1938) is a Japanese lighting designer. From 1965 to 1967 she worked…
Motoko Ishii (石井 幹子, Ishii Motoko; born October 15, 1938) is a Japanese lighting designer. From 1965 to 1967 she worked at lighting-design offices in Finland and Germany. Returning to Japan in 1968, she established the Ishii Motoko Design Office. One of her major projects was the design for the lighting at Expo '75 in Okinawa. However, the rise in energy costs due to the energy crisis proved to be a problem. Beginning in the 1980s, she produced the designs for a number of major projects. Three big events for which she was responsible for the lighting were Expo '85 in Tsukuba, the light-up festival of Yokohama, and Japan Flora 2000. She designed lighting for the cities of Osaka, Hakodate, Himeji and Kurashiki, and for the gasshō-zukuri village at Shirakawa. Her 1989 redesign of the lighting for Tokyo Tower brought international attention. She won the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Prize for the Light Fantasy Electricity Pavilion at the International Garden and Greenery Exposition (Osaka, 1990) and again for the Rainbow Bridge (1994). Other major projects include Osaka and Himeji Castles; the Akashi Straits and the Yokohama Bay Bridges; the Heisei Building at the Tokyo National Museum; the Gifu World Fresh Water Aquarium; the station building of Tokyo Station; Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, and Ebisu Garden Place. In 2009, she designed the lighting of Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary. The project was financed half by the Budapest City Council and half by Japanese individuals and companies as a gift in memoriam the 140th anniversary of establishing diplomatic links between the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and Japan, and the 50th anniversary of re-establishing diplomatic links between Japan and Hungary .
Eiko Ishioka (石岡 瑛子, Ishioka Eiko; July 12, 1938 – January 21, 2012) was a Japanese art director, costume designer, and…
Eiko Ishioka (石岡 瑛子, Ishioka Eiko; July 12, 1938 – January 21, 2012) was a Japanese art director, costume designer, and graphic designer known for her work in stage, screen, advertising, and print media. Noted for her advertising campaigns for the Japanese boutique chain Parco, she collaborated with sportswear company Descente in designing uniforms and outerwear for members of the Swiss, Canadian, Japanese, and Spanish teams at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City (in collaboration with graphic designer Rafael Esquer) and was the director of costume design for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work in Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 romantic-horror film Bram Stoker's Dracula, which was based on Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, and received a posthumous nomination in the same category for her work in Tarsem Singh's 2012 fantasy comedy film Mirror Mirror. She was also nominated for three Tony Awards for her set and costume design in M. Butterfly and costume design in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
Issey Miyake (Japanese: 三宅 一生, Hepburn: Miyake Issei; [mijake iꜜsseː] 22 April 1938 – 5 August 2022) was a Japanese…
Issey Miyake (Japanese: 三宅 一生, Hepburn: Miyake Issei; [mijake iꜜsseː] 22 April 1938 – 5 August 2022) was a Japanese fashion designer. He was known for his technology-driven clothing designs, notably the Pleats, Please line, exhibitions and fragrances such as L'eau d'Issey.
Emi Wada (和田 惠美, Wada Emi, 18 March 1937 – 13 November 2021) was a Japanese costume designer who worked extensively in…
Emi Wada (和田 惠美, Wada Emi, 18 March 1937 – 13 November 2021) was a Japanese costume designer who worked extensively in stage, screen, and ballet productions. She was born in Kyoto, and attended Kyoto City University of Arts before she married Tsutomu (Ben) Wada at age 20. She was nominated for 13 awards and won six, most notably the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work on Akira Kurosawa's film Ran (1985). Wada died on 13 November 2021, at the age of 84.
Reiko Okuyama (奥山 玲子, Okuyama Reiko; 26 October 1936 – 6 May 2007), née, was a Japanese animator, notable for being one…
Reiko Okuyama (奥山 玲子, Okuyama Reiko; 26 October 1936 – 6 May 2007), née, was a Japanese animator, notable for being one of the first female Japanese animators. She has also been credited as Reiko Kotabe (小田部 玲子, Kotabe Reiko; on Hustle Punch episode 19) and Reiko Kitagawa (北川 玲子, Kitagawa Reiko; on Belladonna). The 2019 asadora Natsuzora is loosely based on her life and career.
Yōichi Kotabe (小田部 羊一, Kotabe Yōichi; born September 15, 1936) is a Japanese animator and character designer, best…
Yōichi Kotabe (小田部 羊一, Kotabe Yōichi; born September 15, 1936) is a Japanese animator and character designer, best known for his work on classic anime of the 1960s and 1970s, the Super Mario video game series, and the Pokémon franchise in television and film. He was an employee at Nintendo for two decades doing illustrations, character designs, and supervision from 1985 to 2007. After that, he began to work as a freelancer for the anime and video game industry, including for Nintendo again.
Keiichi Tanaami (21 July 1936 – 9 August 2024) was a Japanese pop artist who was active as multi-genre artist from the…
Keiichi Tanaami (21 July 1936 – 9 August 2024) was a Japanese pop artist who was active as multi-genre artist from the 1960s as a graphic designer, illustrator, video artist and fine artist.
Tadanori Yokoo (横尾 忠則, Yokoo Tadanori; born 27 June 1936) is a Japanese graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker and…
Tadanori Yokoo (横尾 忠則, Yokoo Tadanori; born 27 June 1936) is a Japanese graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker and painter. Yokoo's signature style of psychedelia and pastiche engages a wide span of modern visual and cultural phenomena from Japan and around the world.
Makoto Wada (和田誠, Wada Makoto) (10 April 1936 – 7 October 2019) was a Japanese illustrator, essayist, and film director.
Shiro Kuramata (倉俣 史朗, 29 November 1934 – 1 February 1991) is one of Japan's most important designers of the 20th…
Shiro Kuramata (倉俣 史朗, 29 November 1934 – 1 February 1991) is one of Japan's most important designers of the 20th century.
Kōhei Sugiura (杉浦 康平, Sugiura Kōhei; b. September 8, 1932, Tokyo) is a Japanese graphic designer and researcher in…
Kōhei Sugiura (杉浦 康平, Sugiura Kōhei; b. September 8, 1932, Tokyo) is a Japanese graphic designer and researcher in Asian iconography. Throughout his career, Sugiura has been a pioneer within the design world using processes that enable the visualization of consciousness in his large body of work that ranges from record jackets and posters, to books, magazines, and exhibition catalogues, to diagrams, stamps, and more. He is also active in promoting the study of traditional Asian cultures through producing innovative catalogue designs and organizing exhibitions such as Mandala: now you see it, now you don't (1980) and Flower Cosmology: Traditions in Dyeing, Weaving, and Ornaments (1992), underscored by his prolific research on cosmologies and mandalas. Sugiura served as a visiting professor for the Ulm School of Design in Germany (1964–1967); professor at Kobe Design University (1987–2002); and, since April 2010, is the director of the Asian Design Institute at Kobe Design University. He has received numerous awards, including the Mainichi Industrial Award (1962), Mainichi Art Award (1997); Purple Ribbon (1997); Leipzig Book Design Competition Special Honor Award; Design Special Achievement Award by the Hong Kong Design Award Asia (2014); Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays (2019).
Shigeo Fukuda (福田 繁雄, Fukuda Shigeo; February 4, 1932 – January 11, 2009) was a sculptor, medallist, graphic artist and…
Shigeo Fukuda (福田 繁雄, Fukuda Shigeo; February 4, 1932 – January 11, 2009) was a sculptor, medallist, graphic artist and poster designer who created optical illusions. He is one of Japan's most well-known post-war graphic designers. He is known to be an environmentalist and anti-war, for he designed posters on these social issues. His art pieces usually portray deception, such as Lunch With a Helmet On, a sculpture created entirely from forks, knives, and spoons, that casts a detailed shadow of a motorcycle.
Yasuo Ōtsuka (大塚康生, Ōtsuka Yasuo; July 11, 1931 – March 15, 2021) was a Japanese animator who worked with Toei…
Yasuo Ōtsuka (大塚康生, Ōtsuka Yasuo; July 11, 1931 – March 15, 2021) was a Japanese animator who worked with Toei Animation, Nippon Animation, TMS Entertainment, and Studio Ghibli. He was considered to be one of Japan's foremost animators, and he was an important mentor to both Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata.
Jun Ashida (芦田 淳) (21 August 1930 – 20 October 2018) was a Japanese fashion designer. Born in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do…
Jun Ashida (芦田 淳) (21 August 1930 – 20 October 2018) was a Japanese fashion designer. Born in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, Chosen, he began studying under illustrator Jun'ichi Nakahara. After gaining experience as a consulting designer, Ashida created his first fashion label in 1963, which would later be named after him. From 1966 to 1976, he served as the personal designer for Empress Michiko. Throughout his career, Ashida designed for royalty, sports teams, and companies. His daughter, Tae Ashida, also became a fashion designer. For his contributions to fashion, Ashida received Japan's Purple Ribbon Medal in 1991. He died from pneumonia on 20 October 2018.
Jun Ashida (芦田 淳) (21 August 1930 – 20 October 2018) was a Japanese fashion designer. Born in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do…
Jun Ashida (芦田 淳) (21 August 1930 – 20 October 2018) was a Japanese fashion designer. Born in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, Chosen, he began studying under illustrator Jun'ichi Nakahara. After gaining experience as a consulting designer, Ashida created his first fashion label in 1963, which would later be named after him. From 1966 to 1976, he served as the personal designer for Empress Michiko. Throughout his career, Ashida designed for royalty, sports teams, and companies. His daughter, Tae Ashida, also became a fashion designer. For his contributions to fashion, Ashida received Japan's Purple Ribbon Medal in 1991. He died from pneumonia on 20 October 2018.
Yumi Katsura (桂 由美, Katsura Yumi; 24 April 1930 – 26 April 2024) was a Japanese fashion designer, who is best known for…
Yumi Katsura (桂 由美, Katsura Yumi; 24 April 1930 – 26 April 2024) was a Japanese fashion designer, who is best known for designing wedding dresses. She was active in the fashion industry for over five decades, and her work has been featured in various fashion shows and events. Katsura's designs are known for their unique blend of traditional Japanese techniques and French savoir-faire.
Ikko Tanaka (田中 一光, Tanaka Ikkō; January 13, 1930 – January 10, 2002) was a Japanese graphic designer. Tanaka is widely…
Ikko Tanaka (田中 一光, Tanaka Ikkō; January 13, 1930 – January 10, 2002) was a Japanese graphic designer. Tanaka is widely recognized for his prolific body of interdisciplinary work, which includes graphic identity and visual matter for brands and corporations including Seibu Department Stores, Mazda, Issey Miyake, Hanae Mori, and Expo 85. He is credited with developing the foundational graphic identity for lifestyle brand Muji, emphasizing the "no brand" quality of their products through unadorned, charming line drawings paired with straightforward slogans. His use of bold, polychromatic geometries and his harnessing of the dynamic visual potential of typography are undergirded by a sensitivity towards traditional Japanese aesthetics. Though keenly sensitive to historical precedents and established conventions, Tanaka nevertheless maintained a degree of playfulness in his work, manipulating color, scale, and form to reconfigure familiar iconographies into fresh and accessible visual representations. Tanaka is also widely recognized for his posters designs for Noh productions and other performances and exhibitions staged in Japan and beyond. He was active in realms of typography, exhibition design, and book design as well, and his publication Japan Style was released in 1980 alongside the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition of the same name. As a leading figure in postwar Japanese design, Tanaka is also credited with playing a role in the professionalization and expansion of the discipline.