Inspiration

A designer that inspires me is one that fully understands Japanese culture and identity: the well-known graphic designer Ikko Tanaka. Similar to me, his work includes aspects of Japanese history: geisha (entertainers), calligraphy, the red sun, and more. He utilizes simple shapes, such as rectangles and circles, to create abstracted images; these shapes appear simple, but are composed in such a way that the image is unique and cultural symbols are clear. One specific work from Tanaka’s collection that I adore is Nihon Buyo, a very abstracted portrait of a female geisha. I admire several aspects of this artwork, as it shows innovation in shape, color, and voice. The entire piece consists of mostly squares and triangles structured in a way to resemble the visage of a Japanese woman. It is amazing how such a specific image comes across to the viewer despite the few basic shapes that were used. The circle—or hairpiece— in the top right corner is an exception to the rest of the piece, and sticks out both in shape and color. I also notice how the face of the woman slightly resembles a Japanese flag: an example of how Japanese symbols are incorporated into Tanaka’s work. There is no limit to the palette he uses, as the colors do not conform to a singular scheme, which I see as a bold choice to emphasize the entirety of the design, not just one part of it. This is a common technique that I notice across a wide variety of his works. Inspired by Tanaka’s colorful palettes, bright colors are a prominent element of my own designs; I believe that palettes are essential to make a piece thrive in its own way.

These inspiration photos all have an aesthetic theme to them. I enjoy art that is calming, colorful, and visually pleasing to look at.