Research On Oriental Connotation In Kohei Sugiura’s Design

The development in the field of graphic design is closely linked with creation of books and characters.Throughout the development history of world graphic design, we can easily find that books play a crucialrole in bearing civilization. For a fairly long time, books are the medium of graphic design achievement,showing before the viewers.Graphic design has brought about all-rounded essential promotion for people’s life along withindustrial technology upgrading since industrial revolution. Reviewing modern and contemporarydevelopment history of graphic design, Japanese graphic design is rising rapidly, becoming an up-rising star.Having experienced various baptism of turbulence, many Japanese graphic designers learn from designform of European and American design art, and integrate it with the local culture, making Japanese graphicdesign the first class in the world.The research object of this thesis, Mr. Kohei Suqiura, is called the “giant of Japanese design” by ourdesign master Lyu Jingren. Mr. Kohei Suqiura has stepped into many fields including book design, posterdesign, package design and exhibition planning, and all of his works contain bright and clean andindifferent oriental feelings. As a Japanese book design pioneer, he has a deep and careful study in design,decoration and design patterns of native and neighboring countries, especially he has a graphical analysis ofChinese character and oracle bone inscriptions, making these elements with oriental flavor be in harmonywith book design works, and becoming an important part symbolizing his personal style. He has been usingadvanced design idea to guide practice all the time, therefore his design works not only include fresh flavorof times but also rich native significance.This paper starts with the background for formation of Mr. Kohei Suqiura’s design style, anddemonstrates Asian influence on him. The research begins with the influence of Japanese traditional cultureand humanistic spirit in Asian countries on Mr. Kohei Suqiura, analyzes national identity deep in Asian.Just this sense of belonging makes his design works reflect oriental flavor. Although Mr. Kohei Suqiura hasaccepted western education as the same as other postwar designers, what had influenced him all life isoriental philosophy. His design also expresses Asian thought, and exploring Asian aesthetic value core becomes his lifelong pursuit.The second part describes Mr. Kohei Suqiura’s oriental design idea, and discusses cosmologysupporting his design development and special Asian philosophic thought. Mr. Suqiura’s accomplishment isnot only confined to his excellent design works, and what is more important is the advanced creation ideainvolved in his design works. Mr. Suqiura once said that philosophical concept he believes all his life isChinese Taoism, and in his works both Taoists complementation between Yin and Yang and cosmology of“everything lives together” in traditional Japanese Shintoism are the essence of Mr. Kohei Suqiura’s uniquedesign model.The third part expounds the oriental feelings embodied in Mr. Kohei Suqiura’ design works withexamples. In book design, he roots in the oriental culture and applies Asian typical visual elements to hisdesign works, realizing a harmonious reconstruction between tradition and modernity, nationalization andinternationalization. Sudying this transformation has enlightening meaning for Chinese design withprofound cultural heritage.The last part discusses enlightenment of Mr. Kohei Suqiura’s design techniques and design thought tomodern oriental book design, especially Chinese books design development. How Japanese designerspreserve their own unique charm meanwhile combine with contemporary design trend, therefore achievethe world market recognition, which is an issue deserving further discussion.