The Yusaku Kamekura Design Award was established in 1999 to honor the achievements of the late graphic designer Yusaku Kamekura (1915-1997) and to promote the further development of the graphic design field. Operation of the award program and selection of the winner, chosen annually, are performed by the Japan Graphic Design Association Inc. (JAGDA). JAGDA awards the prize to the designer whose work or works are judged most worthy among all entries featured in its yearbook, Graphic Design in Japan.

The 25th Yusaku Kamekura Design Award was presented to two designers: Tomohiro Okazaki for “Design Ah! neo: Theme of Ah!”, a video he created for a TV program; and Haruka Misawa for signage she developed for the Tamatsukuri Kindergarten (Narita City, Chiba Pref.). This was the first time in the award’s history that it was simultaneously bestowed on two designers.

Okazaki’s video was created using only the letter あ (Ah!) and white paper as materials. One member of the Selection Committee commended Okazaki’s work for its profound exploration of time-lapse animation, a commonplace technique that here yields an altogether unique and unrivaled achievement. Another member praised how Okazaki evoked the essence of graphic design in its purest form: conveying an image through visual experience.

Misawa’s kindergarten signage employs three-dimensional constructions configured from cylindrical forms and a unique color scheme. One judge applauded Misawa’s delicate attention to detail consistent with her works of recent years, which have vied for awards at the highest levels. Another member of the Selection Committee praised Misawa for her breadth of expression achieved through discovery and implementation of a new approach to design.

To commemorate this year’s dual awards, a solo exhibition featuring Okazaki’s works will be held in June, followed by a show of Misawa’s works in July.