Sawamura Award 2024
Key Visual for SAWAMURA Inc.
This design was created as a key visual to announce an event for a new employee employment ceremony and employee awards. The venue was a historic Kabuki stage in Kyoto, Japan. The theme of the event was tradition and innovation. The key visual was expressed with typography of various objects and traditional Japanese color schemes and objects. The invitations are designed like stage tickets. Each tool uses the motifs and colors of the key visual, creating a sense of unity.
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Sawamura Award 2024 by Takuma Tahara
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Key Visual by Takuma Tahara
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Takuma Tahara Sawamura Award 2024
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Takuma Tahara Key Visual
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Takuma Tahara Designer Portrait Photo
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SAWAMURA Inc Brand Logo
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Unique Properties
Key visual for an event for new employees at SAWAMURA Inc. The event held at the traditional Minami-za theater in Kyoto. The unique feature of this key visual is that it synchronizes with the characteristics of the venue (Kabuki). This key visual was displayed in the client's office and at the venue, and was also used on the award certificates, social media publicity, press release, and invitations (like show tickets). The uniformity of the visuals increased the motivation of those involved in the event and heightened the excitement of the event.
Tags
Key visual, Japanese, tradition, innovation
Production Technology
Adobe Illustrator CC
Design Challenge
The most difficult part was the color scheme. I had never used so many colors at once in my previous work, so I tested and proposed several patterns. To refine the design, it is better not to use too many colors, but since it was decided that each winner would use different colors and patterns, I had no choice but to use many colors. It was difficult to balance traditional Japanese colors with a color scheme that felt new.
Project Duration
The project was held at Minamiza, Kyoto, Japan on March 29, 2024
Operation Flow
This key visual not only serves as a formal announcement design within the concept, but also incorporates elements of traditional Japanese Kabuki visually. It can convey the meaning of the event's theme, "Tradition and Innovation," in a broader and deeper sense to new employees who participate in the event.
Research
I wanted to incorporate the actual Kabukiza theatre into the design, so I worked with the client to research the venue, looked into Kabuki itself, and studied traditional Japanese colour schemes. I incorporated patterns used in the actual Kabukiza theatre and objects used in its architecture into the design. I also fused elements that feel innovative.
Inspiration
The event theme was "KABUKU". It is close in meaning to "cut a dash". The alphabet of "KABUKU" was designed using various typography. These pieces function both as typography and as illustrations. They are both alphabetical and kabuki (Minamiza is a traditional Japanese kabuki venue) illustrations. "KABUKU" also means "playful behavior." The alphabet to look like a different motif. The event also has the sub-concept of tradition and innovation, the color scheme was chosen to evoke a feeling of traditional Japanese style combined with newness.
Image Credits
#All Creator Takuma Tahara
Project Overview
Sawamura Award 2024 Key Visual has been a Silver winner in the Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
Silver Recognition
Takuma Tahara was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Sawamura Award 2024 Key Visual.
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