Tokyo City Poster
In the summer of 2024, I got the opportunity to study graphic design in Japan and it became the most profound and impactful period of my design career. During my time in Tokyo, I encountered many unique designers and took inspiration from the minimalist style of Japanese design to create the Tokyo City poster.
Old Meets New.
I took many photos around the Tokyo metropolitan area of things that caught my eye. Often they were photos of designs or culturally relevant aspects of society that were different relative to the United States. Tokyo is a city that holds onto traditional values and design philosophies while also pushing the bounds of new technology and style.
Simplicity is Key.
From what I gather, Japanese design is minimal at it’s core and maximal in its output. So much of the design thinking in Japan emphasizes clean lines, sleek surfaces, and pleasant colors. The effect you get is a sense of familiarity as if it was always there, while being something completely new that you have never seen before.
Final Remarks
This poster is a reflection on my time in Japan. When I returned home, the feeling of being in Tokyo began fleeting. I used halftone dots as a metaphor for never being able to relive memories in full clarity and that we lose the details over time. I look back on my endeavors fondly and I look forward to returning soon.