Art Meets Automotive: Nissan's Innovative Calendar Design

E-graphics communications and Teppei Hayakawa's Unique Collaboration for Nissan's 2016 Calendar

The idea behind the project was to explore the potential of combining a three-dimensional object, a car, with a two-dimensional artwork, a paper cutout. The goal was to create a new form of expression, one that had never been attempted before. The inspiration for each month's paper cutout was drawn from the vehicle featured for that month. The cutouts were then digitized to create a three-dimensional perspective, showcasing the coexistence of the two forms.

Every year, Nissan collaborates with an up-and-coming artist for their calendar. For 2016, they chose Teppei Hayakawa, a papercut artist. The challenge was to merge the two-dimensional papercuts with the three-dimensional cars to create a unique visual aspect. The result was a calendar that provided a spatial aspect capturing a mysterious time, as if viewers were looking at a fairy tale, with the delicate papercut artwork acting in concert with the vehicles' characteristics.

The process of creating the calendar involved handmaking a paper cutout for each month, inspired by the vehicle featured for that month. The cutout was then digitized and placed in a 3D space on the computer along with a 3D image of the vehicle. The background data was also combined to create a perspective that was like viewing a fairy tale, with the exquisite paper cutout and the vehicle's characteristics responding to each other.

The calendar was designed to be a powerful branding item for Nissan. It was used as a greeting gift for clients at the end of the year and was also distributed by salesmen to Nissan car owners. As such, it was a communication tool that customers would look at practically 365 days a year.

The project was not without its challenges. Blending two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects into one and creating a perspective for viewers were creative challenges. However, the team was able to overcome these challenges and create a calendar that was not only visually appealing but also a testament to their creativity and innovation.

The 2016 Nissan calendar was not only a unique piece of art but also a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. It was a project that pushed the boundaries of what is possible when art and automotive design come together. The calendar was awarded Silver in A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding design and innovation.