TAKENOBU IGARASHI (1944 – 2025)
Known for his groundbreaking graphic designs in the 1970s, Takenobu Igarashi’s five-decade legacy simultaneously transcended and unified two-dimensional and three-dimensional realms. His early ventures—fueled by a lifelong affinity for pushing boundaries and—were foundational to shaping today’s visual landscape, with works ranging from iconic logos for Japanese companies like Suntory, Meiji Dairies, CALPIS, and PARCO, to the esteemed Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) calendar design.
Igarashi’s designs utilizing the axonometric perspective method showcased a depth of precision and innovation rarely seen at the time. But he yearned to explore even further, moving beyond the confines of graphic design into the world of product design, where he worked on furniture, telephones, clocks, and tableware.
In 1984, after a fruitful decade of design work, Igarashi made a pivotal decision to shift gears, so he closed his design office and embraced his newfound role as a sculptor at age 50. The world of wood, steel, and terracotta became his playground. He focused on channeling nature’s innate beauty through his creations, moving beyond the practical into the deeply expressive.
His sculptures, installed in diverse locations—from universities, parks, and factories—are not static objects of admiration but are living, breathing parts of the environment. For Igarashi, art isn’t meant to be passively observed; it’s meant to interact with the public, enriching daily life and becoming woven into the fabric of the spaces it occupies.
Igarashi began archiving his designs as early as the 1980s. His foresight in recognizing the importance of preserving the journey of his creative process has expanded into larger collaborative efforts, such as the "IGARASHI TAKENOBU Archive" project, which opened in the autumn of 2023 at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology. The project displays a vast collection of Igarashi’s work and research, providing a valuable resource for future generations of designers and artists alike. The true value of Igarashi’s work lies not in the gallery walls or art dealers’ hands, but in the real-life interactions that take place between his creations and the people who experience them. The desire to enrich the everyday environment has defined his career and continues to inspire others to see the world as a canvas for innovation and art.
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As both a longtime admirer and retailer of objects designed by Igarashi-san, Tortoise General Store wish to celebrate his legacy by spreading the word about one of the most innovative graphic designers of the 20th century.
If you are interested in learning more about Takenobu Igarashi’s life and work, a complete retrospective of his creative catalog titled “Takenobu Igarashi A-Z” is available at TGS. Publisher Thames & Hudson’s synopsis of the book is as follows:
Takenobu Igarashi A–Z offers a comprehensive guide to Igarashi’s experimental typography, featuring not only his most celebrated works, but also a first look at archival plans, drawings, and production drafts for his iconic designs. From his early print works and hand-drawn experiments to self-initiated sculptural pieces and high-profile 3-D identities for international clients and institutions, this book is a long-overdue survey of one of the most ingenious graphic designers of the twentieth century.
