Terrace Field: A Unique Branding Tool

Design by Taiki Kato

Taiki Kato, a renowned designer, drew inspiration from the concept of terrace fields and the ability to unite opposing elements in architecture when creating the Terrace Field branding tool. The primary colors of this identity, black and white, represent a complete contrast. This unique design showcases the same concept as Taiki's award-winning project, "Dandanbatake (Terrace Field)," which utilizes a tiered platform structure to create a smooth landscape. The design systems for Terrace Field have been carefully crafted with this "step" in mind, resulting in a visually striking and cohesive brand identity.

To realize this design, Taiki employed a vertical composition that highlights the beauty of Japanese characters. The weight and size of the Japanese characters were adjusted to maintain a harmonious balance with the alphabet. The result is a minimal yet functional design system that can be applied across various branding tools.

The Terrace Field logo is set to be featured on a website in the near future. Its simplicity and minimalism ensure that it will never become outdated, maintaining its timeless beauty. This design project was initiated in July 2016 and completed in September 2016, in Tokyo.

Taiki's research for this design involved studying hundreds of patterns with unique layouts, seeking to achieve a perfect balance of subtle elegance within a dynamic design. One of the main challenges faced during the creative process was finding an effective way to incorporate both Japanese and alphabet typography. However, after careful consideration and numerous iterations, a successful mixed typesetting design was achieved.

The Terrace Field branding tool has received recognition for its outstanding creativity and ingenuity. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category in 2017. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that demonstrate exceptional technical and creative skills, contributing to improvements in quality of life and making the world a better place.