The 2016/ project matches the traditional Japanese craftsmanship of Arita pottery with 16 international contemporary designers, resulting in desirable everyday porcelain products. 2016/ is supported by the Saga Prefecture and the Dutch embassy in Tokyo and celebrates the longstanding relationship between the Japanese region and the Netherlands. Creative directors Teruhiro Yanagihara and Scholten & Baijings, 2016/ aim to revive interest in the region itself as well as create new meaning for its age-old craft.
The corporate identity covers various media. The Western typeface we chose is Aaux Next designed by Neil Summerour, who has one foot in USA and the other in Takamatsu, Japan. The Japanese typeface is Hiragino Kaku Gothic. The forward slash serves as an icon, as it reflects the link between Arita’s history and its future. The interviews and articles on the website give insight in the collaborations and product development. They contain the energy of dedicated international designers and Japanese craftsmen.
TEXT: Anniina Koivu, BOOK GRAPHIC DESIGN: Esther de Vries, PHOTO: Scheltens & Abbenes, Kenta Hasegawa, Anneke Hymmen