A work designed by Taro Uryu.
Twelve Japanese graphic designers are exhibiting their cutting-edge font designs, illustrations, brand designs and motion graphics at the “I’m Possible” exhibition in Shenzhen, exploring new directions and possibilities of design.
Apart from showcasing their past iconic works, new designs with the theme of “I’m Possible” for the exhibition are also on display. Some famous designers here include Taro Uryu, Mina Tabei and Goo Choki Par.
Uryu is an illustrator with a penchant for simple graphic expressions. Mainly capturing well-dressed, female characters, Uryu has created images for book covers, department stores, clothing brands and magazines. “I want to depict expressions that embody both happiness and melancholy, like Buddhist statues or Noh masks,” says the illustrator.
The almost spiritual meaning behind Uryu’s illustrations creates an interesting contrast with the immaculate, stark aesthetic he’s created. Using poppy shades of primary and secondary colors, Uryu creates a geometric and orderly environment for his characters to navigate, all of whom have wide eyes, tiny mouths and long limbs. “The big eyes are not ‘general blue eyes’ but images of the sky and the sea.”
Aiming for originality and “super coolness” in his work, Uryu’s unusual perspective and mannequin-like figures feel fresh. The illustrator’s works become even more intriguing when placed in the context of a book cover or poster, as composition and the typography surrounding the image work together to make a cohesive whole.
Tabei is a graphic designer and art director whose portfolio, which spans everything from CD design to still life compositions to frame-worthy flyers and book covers deserving of display, feels at once playful and scientific. With echoes of kinetic sculptures, Charles Eames’ toy designs and the colorful, graphic work of Karel Martens, Tabei’s works play with color, light and balance in a way that feel dimensional, fresh and a touch science fair-adjacent.
Goo Choki Par is a studio which mixes digital and analogue techniques to create exciting and dynamic works. It is made up of three graphic designers: Q Asaba, Kent Iitaka and Rei Ishii. The trio regularly works on a range of projects from art direction to brand identities, digital artworks to poster design. One of Goo Choki Par’s biggest projects was the designing of a set of 23 posters for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Dates: Until March 26
Hours: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: 68 yuan per person, 128 yuan for two persons
Venue: Yealife Art Space, 4/F, Yitian Holiday Plaza, Nanshan District (益田假日广场四楼Yealife艺术空间)
Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station (世界之窗站), Exit L