Japanese Literary Awards

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Mitsuo Katsui

かつい みつお

Katsui Mitsuo

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1931-09-06 （Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan）
Died
2019-08-12 （Tokyo, Japan） age 87
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Graphic designer, Art educator, Art director
Active Years
1956-2019
Affiliations
Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA), Musashino Art University (Professor Emeritus), Tokyo Zokei University (former associate professor)

Education

Tokyo University of Education
Faculty of Education, Department of Arts / Composition
Period: 1951-1956
Year of Graduation: 1956
Country: Japan

Awards

Yusaku Kamekura Award
2005
Organization: Yusaku Kamekura Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Purple Ribbon Medal
1996
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
2004
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Kodansha Publication Culture Award
1972
Organization: Kodansha
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize, Minister of Education
1993
Work: I'm Here
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan
Result: 受賞
Brno Biennale of Graphic Design Bronze Prize
1972
Organization: Brno Biennale
Result: 受賞
Mexico Poster Biennale Grand Prix
1990
Organization: Mexico Poster Biennale
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

DIC Color Guide

1990 Design reference

A color reference guide supervised by Katsui, compiling color samples and a color system used as a standard reference in printing and design.

colorcolor palettesdesign reference

Ministry of Education Symbol Mark (design)

2008 Symbol design

Designed the Ministry of Education's symbol mark, motif based on a compass; widely recognized as the government agency's emblem.

symbol designcompass motifinstitutional logo

Bibliography

  • Graphic Design of the World Vol.6: Editorial Design (Kodansha)
  • Contemporary Graphic Design Series: CG Edition (Kodansha)
  • Encyclopedia of Contemporary Design (Heibonsha)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Geometric, orderly layoutsMinimal compositions with emphasis on color fieldsPractical design with industrial/printing sensibilities
Recurring Motifs
Ghyom patterns (geometric motifs)Compass motifComposition by color fields

Health

  • Pancreatic cancer
    2019年
    Caused death in August 2019; resulted in the end of active professional work.

Legacy

One of Japan's leading graphic designers from the postwar to Heisei eras. Highly regarded for public symbols, art direction for international expos, book design and posters; works held in major museums domestically and internationally.

Museums

  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York New York, USA
  • Toyama Prefectural Museum of Modern Art Toyama Prefecture, Japan
  • Musashino Art University Museum & Library Tokyo, Japan

Academic Societies

  • Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA)

Archives

  • Collections at Musashino Art University
  • Collections at MoMA, New York

Trivia

  • His son, Hokuto Katsui, is active as a fashion designer.
  • Designed the Ministry of Education symbol and posters/symbols for international expos.
  • Supervised the creation of the DIC Color Guide.