How are the younger generations leaving their mark on graphic design in Japan today? How have various environmental, health and nuclear crises influenced their practice, and what is the reality of women’s role in the field of design? Drawing on field research and interviews conducted by Alexandre Dimos with around twenty designers since 2018, this book provides an overview of a generation of Japanese graphic designers born between 1970 and 1990.

The Western public is only familiar with the most prominent figures in Japanese design, such as Tadanori Yokoo and Ikko Tanaka. Since the Second World War, independent designers and advertising agencies have shared the commissions, and many of their works have accompanied the country’s economic development, which began in the 1960s. Yet, almost seventy years later, what has become of the work of a generation seeking to assert its uniqueness amid mass production?

By presenting the work and careers of around twenty designers, this book aims to showcase the practices and role this generation currently plays. This subjective selection highlights the diversity of contemporary graphic design practices in Japan and offers European audiences a selection of previously unpublished original works.

Includes: Allright (Yui Takada), Kazunari Hattori, Midori Hirota, Yoshiaki Irobe, Atsuki Kikuchi, Kitasenju Design, Aiko Koike, Daito Manabe, Rikako Nagashima, Mariko Okazaki, Tomohiro Okazaki, Shun Sasaki, Syunichi Suge, Tezzo Suzuki, Mina Tabei, Yuri Uenishi, UMA/design farm (Yuma Harada), Bunpei Yorifuji.