Books & Articles

CREATION no. 1 (International Graphic Design, Art and Illustration)

Yusaku Kamekura (editor/art director)
Tokyo: Recruit Co., Ltd., 1989

First edition. Text in English and Japanese.

9 x 11.75 softcover book with 168 pages devoted to International graphic design, art and illustration. CREATION was the brainchild of editor Yusaku Kamekura, who envisioned an arts magazine with no advertising (like Brodovitch’s PORTFOLIO) and a limited life span. The first issue of CREATION clearly stated that the series would end with issue 20. And it did; but while CREATION was around, it was a true heavyweight in its presentation of both vintage and contemporary graphic design. Each issue profiled a half-dozen designers with a one-papge text introduction and biography, followed by 20 + pages of the designers work in glorious full color.

Each issue of CREATION is a real treat in terms of content and production and all are highly recommended.

CREATION no. 1 Contents include:

• Ikko Tanaka by Mamoru Yonekura: 30 pages of full-page color work reproductions.
• Paul Rand by Shigeo Fukuda: 26 pages of full-page color work reproductions. Paul Rand had a longstanding friendship with Shigeo Fukuda (born Tokyo, 1932). He has said of Fukuda, “A playful heart requires no translation”. Shigeo Fukuda has frequently written on Paul Rand and quotes by him are frequently found on the book-jackets of Paul Rand’s books. Shigeo Fukuda has said; “Paul Rand is a man who has shaped and influenced the course of 20th century graphic design to a remarkable degree.” Yusaku Kamekura first met Paul Rand in 1954. As well as seeing the “genius” in Rand’s work, Kamekura also recognized something essentially Japanese in his style: “When we Japanese look at Paul Rand’s work and ponder the futility of our struggle to absorb western culture, we are stunned to recognize traditional Japanese styles - styles which we Japanese have long forgotten - running beautifully and refreshingly through them (FromYusaku Kamekura: His Works. Bijutsu Shuppan-sha, 1971.). “It is no secret that Rand was a great admirer of Japanese design and would regularly remind his students that the Japanese were, in his mind, entirely unparalleled the field.
• Artists profiles

Yusaku Kamekura (1915-1997) was one of the pioneers of Japanese graphic design who was at the forefront in promoting graphic design as an essential factor of modern society, culture and art, and whose achievements helped to establish the reputation of Japanese graphic design internationally.

— Randall Ross of modernism101.com