Yuta Takahashi's Saks Books: A Design Revolution

Minimalistic Book Design Blends with Home Interiors and Evokes Rational Sensibility

The design's unique properties lie in its ability to discuss the relationship between the individual and society in the modern age, analogous to that of society and university. The book's pure white appearance and the motif of two overlapping circles are simple yet powerful expressions of this theme. The design is consistent across all books published from Saks Books, maintaining a sense of uniformity when lined on a bookshelf.

Yuta Takahashi's design process involved a thorough search for a common design element at the core of all books. The goal was not to dress the book up, but to simply express its essence. The design aimed to blend with the atmosphere of study rooms, not interfering with the visual perception of readers when they are not reading, but also allowing them to pick up the book quickly.

The realization of this design involved careful selection of materials and technology. The cover is coated with matte polypropylene, making it stain-resistant and easy to clean. The book paper is a reconstruction assistance product made in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, contributing to the economies of disaster-affected areas.

One of the challenges faced during the design process was the proposal to leave out the title on the book cover. However, separating the illustration and title on the cover and spine created a true sense of simplicity and helped readers recognize the book intuitively. A special QR code on the back cover connects the book with e-books, positioning it between digital and analog, a testament to modern book design.

The 'Saks Books' design project, started in Japan in May 2015, was completed in August 2016 and announced in September 2016. It was awarded Silver in A' Print and Published Media Design Award in 2019, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation. The design continues to inspire and amaze, introducing positive feelings and wonder.