Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Ma: The Realm of Mystery in Sugiura Kohei’s ‘Asian Grammar of Design’
Nguyen, Hung Ky
Type:
Year:
2010
Editor:
Taura, T and Nagai, Y
Author:
Section:
Short Presentation B
Abstract:
Since returning from a teaching trip in West Germany in 1967, and from an exploration across the Southern part of Asia, designer Sugiura Kohei has advocated an ‘Asian grammar of design’ as a new model for his graphic design work. It is notable that Sugiura has widely employed ma, a Japanese concept of spiritual aesthetics, as the backbone of his Asian grammar of design. To find out more about his aesthetics, I conducted an interview with him in his Tokyo office on 22nd October 2008. This paper discusses how Sugiura perceives ma, and how it is applied to ‘Tradition et Nouvelles Techniques’ (1984), one of his remarkable poster designs. This paper sheds light on what Sugiura identified as the ‘Realm of mystery’ in his work, and how it informs his creativity.
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