Inspired by Japan

Inspired by Japan

Inspiration is key in any design process and everyone gathers it in their own way. My favourite form of creative inspiration is travelling. Not only is it a great way to clear your mind and reset mentally, it also broadens your perspective and generates creativity as it motivates you to think differently. It’s a very valuable & absolutely free souvenir you take with you each time you travel and it challenges you in your future designs.

On my most recent trip I travelled to Japan: the land of origami, sumo wrestlers, kimonos, calligraphy, sushi & ‘matcha’ more… Drawing inspiration from a country as distinctive and exciting as Japan is not that difficult. How can you not be influenced by its rich history, culture & traditions.

My first impressions of Japan were nothing short of unique and, starting my trip in Tokyo’s hustle & bustle, I definitely had a lot to take in. The vivid billboards, the peculiar advertising and the colourful supermarket shelves made my eyes hurt sometimes, but they form an interesting contrast with the quiet & peaceful gardens, the traditional architecture, the picture perfect mountain villages and surreal art islands. And these great diversities do not collide, they balance each other out.

This perfect balance is also visible in Japanese packaging design. It’s simply not definable in one word. It can be extraordinary and eye-popping, bringing out all kinds of emotions. It can be a little weird but wonderful at the same time. As such it alternates with a more minimal style which inspired me the most. The respect for natural aesthetics, the thoughtful cleanliness & harmony between traditional, charming & practical are fascinating, but it’s also the way it is presented and communicated to the consumer that attracted me. When you buy something, you don’t just receive it in a bag or a box, you receive an experience. It’s not just about how it looks, but how it is presented, how it feels, if it makes you smile etc. It makes you feel the advantages of a product rather than merely describing them. It’s about thinking ‘outside of the box’ with as little as possible while focusing on the details and keeping the consumer interested. Everything has a meaning. Every little detail or gesture represents the nation’s cultural background: to be respectful, polite & patient.

“Harmony between traditional, charming & practical“

When I was walking through the famous narrow lanes of Higashiyama in Kyoto, I bought a Japanese style fan for my 5 year old niece in one of the many authentic souvenir shops. The gift was placed in a box and beautifully wrapped in patterned paper. And by ‘wrapped’, I mean carefully, yet in original fashion, folded around the box with a Japanese cherry – an origami crane bird – on top. This wrapping obviously took a little more time, but I didn’t mind. I was admiring it. It’s an experience to buy, but also a joy to unwrap later. ‘Buyer’s experience’ and ‘gifting’ becomes more personal. Upon my return, when I handed her the gift, she opened it with the same patient and delicate care as it had been wrapped (unlike the tear-it-open rush 5 year olds typically display when opening presents). The way it has been handled is automatically passed on to the receiver and that is a beautiful quality. 

A few things I will definitely take with me in my future designs: harmony, efficiency and the delightful play of tones. Japan was a true visual paradise for my inner perfectionist. Oh, and one important tip: always travel with a notebook.

Evelien