JPG 2: Japan Graphics by Tomoko
Sakamoto
Comprehensive, Informative And Absolute Cool!
Volume two of JPG, Japan Graphics, is a comprehensive survey of
contemporary Japanese graphic design and illustration. The changes in
Japanese graphic design after the first volume have proved to be far
beyond our imagination. Instead of more copies, higher resolution, to a
wider audience, there is a greater focus on individual and original works.
JPG 2 brings together over 20 design teams, showcasing the evolution of
teams from the first JPG as well as showcasing new projects, new teams,
and the best contemporary design talents. Works by Amane Murakami,
Buddha Productions, Dainippon Type Organization, Enlightenment, Hideki
Inaba, Higraph, keitarrow, Loworks, Keigo Mohri, Namaiki, Shinji Shimada,
Ryuh Tomoaki, Sunday-Vision, Power Graphixx, Takora, Taku Anekawa,
TGB design, Tsuyoshi Kusano, Tsuyoshi Hirooka, wabisabi,
iseneehihinee.The book is divided into 13 chapters: Photo + graphics,
Imaginary landscapes, Printed matter, Customize on the product, Re-
product design, Order made, Talking graphics, Portrait, Activism, Fake
analog, Digital error, Super fine lines and Digital/manual interaction.
Personal Review: JPG 2: Japan Graphics by Tomoko Sakamoto
I absolute loved the first book and all of the awesome content that was
featured. So, it was a no-brainer that I had to get "JPG2.
Although the book loses it's rubber covers, the foam front which sports the
JPG logo is now wooden.
Four years have passed since the last book and this time around,
Sakomoto Tomoko and staff decide to profile the designers and showcase
their work in a variety of sections.
The book starts out with "Photo + graphics". Combining photography but
using software like Adobe Illustrator to add water, vines, flowers, skies, you
name it. Then to "Imaginary Landscapes", "Printed Matter", "Customize on

the product", "Re-product Design", "Order Made", "Talking Graphics",
"Portrait", "Activism", "Fake Analog", "Digital Error", "Super Fine Lines",
"Digital/manual interaction".
A few examples for each section are:
"Customize on the Product" features customizations of footwear, denim
and t-shirts.
"Reproduct Design" features how curves and line designs to artwork can
create another image such as a tree or a music instrument.
"Talking Graphics" shows how designers use kanji or using imagery in
their graphic design. For example, vwv//design utilized new alphabet like
Korean Hangul but using a combination of Japanese katakana and the
alphabet.
"Activism" is just that. Showcasing logos and posters used for activities
such as "AGRI 2006 Fashion Contest - Changing Agriculture through
Fashion"
"Fake Analog" is a section utilizing digital painting.
A major difference from this year's book compared to the last is how a lot
of designers have gone towards vector graphics for designing their work.
And others that utilize manual painting or digital painting to accomplish
their work.
And at the each of section, a designer then does a "My Favorite Place"
featuring photography and descriptions of places they enjoy.
If anything, the direction to focus on around two dozen designers/design
firms does help cut the clutter and definitely profiles the artwork of those
chosen for this book.
At the end of the book are the profiles, where the last book featured a little
big about the designer's work, college education and website and company
info., for JPG2, big photos and more profile information for each artist
featured. But what I like about these profile sections is that the designer
takes a photo of their design work space. So, it's cool to see that and them
comment about it.
I think I've purchased many publications and design books just to know of
an artists workspace, hardware and software used and it was really cool to
see photos of each designer and firm's workspace.
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