Unleashing Creativity: Katsumi Tamura's Safari Calendar

Award-winning Designer Transforms Everyday Calendar into a Work of Art

Renowned designer Katsumi Tamura has reimagined the mundane calendar into a stunning piece of art. His Safari Calendar, a three-dimensional paper-craft animal calendar, not only serves the practical purpose of marking time but also doubles as a unique interior decor item. The design, which draws inspiration from the universality of animals across ages, sex, and borders, has been awarded the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in 2014.

What sets the Safari Calendar apart is its unique properties. It is more than just a calendar; it is a functional piece of art that can be assembled and displayed. Each calendar consists of six sheets, each featuring two monthly calendars. Users can remove and assemble these sheets, folding the body and the joint sections along the creases. The marks on the joints guide the assembly process, ensuring that the final product is a beautifully crafted animal figure.

The Safari Calendar is a testament to Tamura's belief in the transformative power of quality designs. According to him, such designs can modify space and transform the minds of its users. They offer the comfort of seeing, holding, and using, and are imbued with lightness and an element of surprise, enriching space. This philosophy is reflected in the Safari Calendar, which brings an element of design to everyday life.

The calendar, which measures 200mm in height and 170mm in width, was launched in July 2013. The design process was a collaborative effort, with Kohei Miyasaka and Toshiyuki Nagamatsu playing key roles. Miyasaka served as the designer, while Nagamatsu contributed as a copywriter. The team worked under the art direction of Tamura, bringing his vision to life.

The Safari Calendar's innovative design and unique features have not gone unnoticed. In 2014, it was awarded the Golden A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, the Safari Calendar is a perfect example of how design can transform everyday items into works of art. It is a testament to Tamura's creativity and his belief in the power of design to enrich life. With its unique features and award-winning design, the Safari Calendar is more than just a way to keep track of dates - it is a piece of art that brings joy and surprise into everyday life.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Katsumi Tamura
Image Credits: Katsumi Tamura
Project Team Members: Art Director: Katsumi Tamura Designer: Kohei Miyasaka Copywriter: Toshiyuki Nagamatsu
Project Name: Calendar 2014 “Safari”
Project Client: Katsumi Tamura


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