Zaku Inc.: A Revolutionary Approach to Corporate Identity

Nobuya Hayasaka's Award-Winning Design Blends Tradition and Innovation

When Nobuya Hayasaka was tasked with designing the corporate identity for Zaku Inc., he decided to use the company's slogan, "Create good!" as the bedrock of his design. The result is a logo that is not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful. The logo is a clever blend of typography and symbolism, with the Japanese Kanji characters for "to create" forming the silhouette of a hand signifying "good!". This dual symbolism is a testament to Hayasaka's creative genius and his ability to infuse design with layers of meaning.

Hayasaka's design stands out for its unique properties. The logo is a perfect representation of the company's name and slogan, and its use of traditional Japanese calligraphy gives it a distinct cultural touch. The design is a perfect blend of the old and the new, combining the age-old art of Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) with modern design principles to create a logo that is both familiar and innovative.

The design process was a meticulous one, involving the use of traditional Japanese calligraphy techniques. Hayasaka discovered that when the Kanji character for "to create" is written on paper, the ink blurs and spreads out to form the silhouette of a hand signifying "good!". This discovery led to the creation of a logo that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is meaningful.

The logo was not the only design element that Hayasaka worked on. The project also involved the design of signage, packaging, print materials, and a website. Each of these elements was designed with the same attention to detail and commitment to blending tradition and innovation that characterizes the logo.

The design has been well-received, serving to publicize the company's opening within the industry and in Japan. It has also facilitated communication, with the logo's meaning and background becoming a topic of conversation. The design's success is a testament to Hayasaka's creative vision and his ability to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also deeply meaningful.

For his outstanding work, Hayasaka was awarded the Silver A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is a testament to his creativity, technical expertise, and artistic skill. It is a fitting recognition for a design that is as innovative as it is meaningful.